Manure spill from dairy fouls Indiana creek
WINCHESTER, Ind. (AP) — Workers erected an earthen dam to help clean up a manure spill from a large dairy that fouled a creek in north central Indiana.

The spill at Union-Go Dairy in Randolph County spread along about two miles of Sparrow Creek.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management spokeswoman Amy Hartsock said the dairy was the source of the spill reported Tuesday morning and that it had taken responsibility for the cleanup.

“We got everything cleaned up, and IDEM is satisfied. We did everything we could and it’s cleaned up,’’ said Dutch immigrant Tony Goltstein, who owns the 1,650-cow farm.

Hartsock said IDEM would assess the situation to determine if any more cleanup is required. IDEM had not determined whether any additional action or fines would be pursued, she said.

No dead fish were reported.

The manure had been pumped out of a lagoon at the dairy and used to fertilize a farm field, and was believed to have entered the creek through a 20-inch county drainage tile, The Star Press of Muncie reported.

Union-Go workers set up a dam in the creek downstream from the spill and pumped the trapped water onto nearby farm fields.
Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Randolph County, which opposed the creation of the farm, expressed concern that the dairy’s manure lagoon was inadequate.

“A huge concern is that the lagoon is too full,” said group member Wendy Carpenter. `That’s why they are desperately trying to empty it out, and here’s the result.”

Union-Go recently filed a permit application with IDEM to expand its operation to 2,804 cows.

Half of Michigan’s 69 rescued horses likely pregnant
JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — About half of the 69 malnourished horses impounded on a southern Michigan farm last month are likely pregnant, with many close to foaling, officials said.

The horses, including quarter horses and thoroughbreds, were discovered with no food or water in Jackson County’s Grass Lake Township, about 65 miles west of Detroit. The animals were standing amid piles of trash, rusted auto parts and manure; some were determined to be emaciated.

All the mares found on the farm were exposed to stallions.
Animal control officials told the Jackson Citizen Patriot that many of the horses have been upgraded to fair condition following several weeks of cleanup and a strict diet. But it can be dangerous for pregnant horses recovering from neglect, said county animal control Director Kimberlee Luce.

James Henderson, Jr. and Matthew Mercier, co-owners of the Turn-3 Ranch, were arraigned last week on a charge each of animal neglect, a 93-day misdemeanor, The Ann Arbor News reported.
They face a pretrial hearing May 4. Henderson works as a probation officer for the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor.

The men have disputed the charges, citing a letter from a Jackson veterinarian who said the horses were in good condition when he visited the farm shortly before they were impounded March 21. A state veterinarian estimated the animals had been neglected for about six months.

The investigation began last month after police were notified that some of the horses had gotten loose and left the property.

Ohio Teen who shot cow
sentenced to probation
NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — A teenager who shot and killed a cow in a prank was sentenced to probation and told by a judge that it was time to grow up.

Paul Davis, 18, pleaded guilty April 5 to felony vandalism and a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals. Davis drove to a farm last May and used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot a crossbred Angus heifer, authorities said.

Licking County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Marcelain, who could have sentenced Davis to 18 months in prison, put the teen on probation for three years. He also ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service and to pay restitution to the central Ohio farmer who was raising the cow for breeding purposes.

“It’s time to step up and be responsible,” the judge said. “You’re an adult now. Childhood is over.”

Davis could spend six months in prison if he violates the terms of his probation.

Spencer Montgomery, a livestock breeder who owned the 800-pound heifer, said the animal was worth $10,000. Judge Marcelain said a hearing will be scheduled to determine a restitution amount.

Christopher Shook, an attorney for the teen, said Davis is remorseful for killing the cow.

On the day the animal was shot, Davis had bragged to friends that he wanted to shoot a cow, according to a sheriff’s report. Authorities tracked down Davis after a witness heard the shots then recognized Davis in a car speeding away from the farm in eastern Licking County.

This farm news was published in the April 11, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.