Western United Dairymen sent a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger this week requesting that he take the steps needed to obtain federal financial aid for Californias dairy producers who have suffered losses from the states extraordinary heat wave.

Meanwhile, the volume of dead cows is causing stress in the affected areas. Several counties have taken emergency measures to allow farmers to bury dead animals on their property. Normally, state law requires that dead animals be taken to rendering plants for disposal. Counties with emergency declarations include Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Merced and Stanislaus. Others that may take that step include Madera, Kern and San Joaquin counties. Stanislaus County is now allowing dead cows to be brought to landfills for disposal.

See Western Dairy’s headline news for more updates on the heat-related issues in California.