Feedlot Update - May 31, 2013

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Feedlot Update

May 31, 2013

In this issue:

Feedlot program Q&A

Question: Which agency issues Commercial Animal Waste Technician licenses?

Answer following Calendar

Survey: Number of open lots needing fixes declines 50 percent

open lot survey

A survey in 2012 of county feedlot officers from 46 counties about open lots indicates that since the first survey in 2008, the number of feedlots with open lots needing to be fixed has dropped by more than 50 percent. In 2008 the estimated number of open lots sites to be fixed was 3,691; in 2012 the estimated number to be fixed is 1,758, from a total of 13,661 open lots reported. The current number to be fixed represents about 13 percent of all open lot sites in delegated counties. About 82 percent of the numbers of feedlots remaining to be fixed are concentrated in six counties. The Open Lot Agreement component of survey indicates that of the 4,223 signed up for the agreement: 1,348 had no problem, 655 have closed, 1,157 have been fixed, and 1,029 remain to be fixed. New data, not previously solicited, indicates that 21 responding counties have visited 100 percent of their open lot sites.

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U of M awards Siehl prize to Huisinga, Norling

Ted and Ray

Turkey industry leaders Ted Huisinga and Ray Norling received this year's Siehl Prize for production agriculture May 23 during a ceremony on the University of Minnesota campus. Norling's father, Albin, founded Willmar Poultry Company with Herman Nelson more than 60 years ago. Huisinga was influenced by his uncle Albert. Norling grew up near Svea where his father owned two businesses in partnership with his brother. One was a construction business that built silos, corn cribs and barns and the other was farming. They raised crops, livestock and turkeys. Huisinga grew up on his family's farm in Kandiyohi County. The farm had beef, chickens, hogs and turkeys. Read more in Agri-News, May 28 issue.

The Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture recognizes living individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the production of food and alleviation of hunger in three separate categories: production, agribusiness, and knowledge. The Siehl Prize is named in honor of philanthropist Eldon Siehl, a successful Minnesota businessman who wanted to educate the general public about where their food came from and to provide recognition for the dedicated people who make it their life’s work.

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7020 rule draft amendments advance to governor's office

The proposed amendments to the 7020 feedlot rule and Statement of Need and Reasonableness have been sent the Governor’s office for review and approval. Following that, and subsequent publishing of the public notice in the State Register, which is now anticipated to occur in July 2013, the proposed updates to the 7020 feedlot rule and associated documents will be available for a 30-day public comment period. If a public hearing is not requested, completion of the rule amendments could occur by late September or early October (longer, if a hearing is required). The development of a General State Disposal System permit hinges on the completion of the rule update. An SDS permit is required by the 7020 feedlot rule for livestock operations of 1,000 animal units or more, which choose not to have a federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Updates on the rule process will be issued as needed.

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News briefs

draeger

Draeger confirmed as ag rep on PCA Board

Kathryn Draeger was has been confirmed by the Minnesota Senate to serve as the farm representative on the Pollution Control Agency's Citizens' Board. She is the statewide director of the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships as well as an adjunct professor of agronomy and plant genetics. She lives on a farm near Clinton with her husband and three children. She was appointed to the board in September 2012 for a term expiring Jan. 6, 2014. She writes a blog about the family's experiences moving from St. Paul back to Clinton.

MPCA feedlot staff update

Kate Brigman, feedlot program staff in the MPCA Mankato ofifce, is retiring June 4. In the Brainerd office, Ronda Adkins joins the feedlot staff in the vacancy from John Pokorney's move to the solid waste program. In Detroit Lakes, Mike Sharp is moving from the feedlot program to the watershed program. In St. Paul, Hafiz Munier is leaving the MPCA and feedlot program for a position with the Department of Transportation.

Delegated counties required to post information on web

Delegated counties are required to post results and financial information on the feedlot program by June 30 of each year, including:

  • A copy of the county’s annual CFO and performance credit report.
  • The feedlot portion of the Natural Resources Block Grant summary report as maintained on eLINK.

Inspection and enforcement summary

From January 2012 to April 2013, MPCA feedlot staff conducted a total of 548 inpsections, and issued 186 enforcement actions, according to a report by compliance coordinator Lisa Scheier. The inspection types were: 27 assistance, 20 complaint, 190 compliance, 64 construction, 247 land application. Of the 186 enforcement actions, 156 were letters of warning, and 23 included monetary penalties. More information is located on the MPCA quarterly summary of enforcement actions webpage.

hernandez

Feedlot staff gain agronomy, manure management training

Reviewing manure management plans and records is an important part of the job for feedlot staff. Nutrient budgets based on manure and soil test analysis, commercial fertilizer application, crop nutrient needs, and manure management converge to attain maximum crop production while ensuring water quality protection. Feedlot staff gained more knowledge of these at recent workshops in Mankato and Alexandria. Jose Hernandez, U of M Extension, described nutrient cycling in agricultural systems; Paul Brietzke and Jerry Holien of the MPCA gave presentations on agronomy, land application and record review. Following the presentations, feedlot staff worked on manure management exercises. The presentations will be posted on the feedlot training webpage. For more information from Extension, see the booklet,  Manure Management in Minnesota, by Jose Hernandez and Michael Schmitt.

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U of M Extension launches forage website

University of Minnesota Extension has educational resources available for those with questions related to a continuing forage shortage and late planting issues. Reports of winter injury and winterkill of alfalfa continue to intensify across parts of southern Minnesota, contributing to the existing shortage caused by two years of drought. Producers are examining options in light of their field assessment and inventory; many of these producers face purchasing hay or growing some type of emergency crop to feed livestock. Visit Extension's "Alfalfa Weather Damage and Emergency Forages" website at www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crops/spring-issues Minnesota farmers were delayed getting into their fields, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, after a late season snow storm brought moisture to areas that were already damp and cold. Visit Extension's "Late Planting" website at www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crops/late-planting .

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Legislature enacts water quality certification program, CAWT license changes

The 2013 Legislature has adopted authorizing language and funded the Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program. The goal of the new state and federal partnership is to enhance Minnesota’s water quality by accelerating the voluntary adoption of on-farm conservation practices. The program is being administered by the Dept. of Agriculture. Operational measures are being developed, and four watersheds are being identified for pilot projects.

The section of the Fertilizer Law describing the Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) license was amended. The changes include a CAWT company license ($100/yr); a CAWT site manager license ($50/yr); and a CAWT applicator license ($25/yr). The Department of Agriculture (MDA) is responsible for enforcing the law, which goes into effect on July 1, stating that no unlicensed persons may commercially apply manure to the ground. MDA plans to implement the changes in phases. Initially, MDA will issue CAWT company licenses to businesses commercially applying manure. Current and valid Commercial Animal Waste Technicians will become site managers. A site manager license is required to oversee applicators and operations on-site. MDA will develop an electronic certification process for applicators. All applicators must be certified to commercially apply manure and must be supervised by a site manager. For more information about the changes, contact the MDA at 651-201-6615. Text: Article 3, Section 9, of the omnibus environment, natural resources, agriculture, commerce, energy, jobs, and economic development appropriations bill.

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Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center News

Looking Ahead to June

The topic for the June 21 webcast is "Marin Carbon Project: Research to Action". The project was formed to establish the basis for soil carbon sequestration for local rangelands. This webinar will feature the researchers, ranchers, and advisers involved to share how this project has moved from foundational research to wider on-farm application. More...

Future Topics

July-Results of Monoslope Beef Barn Air Quality Research

September-Prediction of Phosphorus Bioavailability for Dairy Cattle

As always, you can check out the recordings of past webcast at our webcast archive and view the schedule of webcast at upcoming webcasts. 

Manure Expo. The North American Manure Expo will be held "up north" this year as the University of Guelph will host the Expo on August 21, 2013 near London, Ontario, Canada. To keep up with more information on the Expo check out the website or Facebook page.

Manure In the News

A look at animal agriculture and manure in the news, serious, funny or controversial. Inclusion here does not constitute LPELC endorsement. In other words, we don't create this stuff, we just link to it.

"The cow is queen" chronicles a dietician's visit to a Washington dairy farm.

"What Do Farmers Do With Manure? We Get Our Poop In a Group!" a blog post about one dairy farm's manure hauling this spring.

"Uncooperative weather straining manure pits statewide" (Wisconsin)

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Conservation Stewardship Program applications due June 14

The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program will provide about $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres enrollment this year. Although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forestland owners interested in CSP should submit applications by June 14 to their local NRCS office to ensure they are considered for this year’s funding. The deadline was extended from May 31. For the checklist and additional information, visit the CSP website or visit your local USDA NRCS office.

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In the news

Gold'n Plump water system keeps business flowing, water clean
St. Cloud Times, 5/29/13
Nobles County investigates manure spill
Worthington Daily Globe, 5/3013
Settlement reached over feedlot pollution near Lake Independence
Star Tribune, 5/15/13
Tyson Foods names Animal Well-Being Advisory Board
Poultry Times, 5/12/13

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Calendar - June Dairy Month

June Dairy Month events.

Open house - Thursday, June 27, East Dublin Dairy, Murdock, 4-7 p.m.

June 1: Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm, Groetsch Dairy, Albany.
June 4: Cattle farm tour, 11 a.m., Thompson Farms, Elkton, SD.
June 5: Cattle farm tour, 11 a.m., Sorg Farms, Hastings, MN.
June 5-7: World Pork Expo–Des Moines.
June 19-20: MN Turkey Growers Association Summer Meeting, Nisswa.
June 26-27: US Precision Dairy Conference and Expo, Rochester.
June 26-28: National Bison Association Summer Conference, Deadwood, SD.
July 7-9: Summer Beef Tour, Northwest Stockmen's Association, Roseau.

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Department of Agriculture, pesticide and fertilizer management division.

Share the news

The MPCA Feedlot Update welcomes news submissifrom partners about, projects, people, and upcoming events. Email submissito forrest.peterson@state.mn.us. Please note that the MPCA has switched to a new service, called GovDelivery, to deliver the Feedlot Update. To ensure delivery of these messages, please add mpca@public.govdelivery.com to your address book or safe sender list. Past issues of Feedlot Update are available on the feedlot program publications webpage.

Forrest Peterson
 Public Information Officer
MPCA-Willmar office
320-441-6972