This involves Nitrogen Loading calculations, which use specific formulas for liquid and solid waste. These generate the total pounds of nitrogen available to crops where the wastewater and solid manure is applied. This takes us to the second step. Depending on which crops are grown, cropland nitrogen requirements are calculated. For instance, Alfalfa has listed nitrogen requirement of 480 pounds per acre.
Dairies total up the number of acres of each crop and their coinciding nitrogen requirements.
And this is how the Borbas have arrived at 2.71 cows per acre. We have not checked their math. The Kern County Planning Department was the lead agency on an Environmental Impact Report prepared for the project. On November 11th, the Kern County Planning Commission approved the project and accepted the Planning Department's recommendations. Following a public outcry against the dairy, the Borba's proposal was withdrawn and may go before the Kern County Board of Supervisors in July 2000.