|
The MPCA mailed postcards Feb. 12 reminding that annual reports are due March 1, 2016 for livestock farms with National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System or State Disposal System permits. Forms are available on the MPCA feedlot program website. Links to the
form are located on the feedlot program permits and forms webpage. Paper
copies of the form may be requested by contacting the MPCA regional offices. The office phone
numbers are listed on page 5. All land application records for the
12-month period starting Sept. 1, 2014, through Aug. 31, 2015, must be
submitted as part of the report and on the included forms. For farms that do
not transfer manure, land application records can also be generated and submitted
using the MPCA excel based Manure Management Planner under Create Crop Year
Records. A link to the planner is located on the feedlot program Nutrient and Manure Management webpage.
Annual reports provide valuable information for determining compliance with
Minnesota’s feedlot rules. Failure to submit annual reports by the March 1
deadline may result in an enforcement action from the MPCA.
Back
to top
A letter has been sent to feedlot owners and operators with permit coverage under the 2011-2016 general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/State Disposal System (SDS) permit (number MNG44000) reminding them that their current permit coverage expires on Jan. 31.
Feedlots with 1,000 animal units or more are required to have either the NPDES or the SDS permit. According to the law change in 2011, feedlots that are large CAFOs but below 1,000 animal units may choose to either apply for continued permit coverage, or, if they have no discharge, may decline the permit. If the latter, a notice of permit termination is requested.
A single permit application has been developed for use when applying for either the NPDES or the SDS permit. The manure management plan, submitted as part of the permit application for either the SDS or NPDES permit, must be done on a form provided by the MPCA.
A fact sheet, titled “NPDES and SDS Permits for Feedlots,” is available to assist in determining the type of permit coverage preferred or required for a facility. Forms and factsheet can be found on MPCA feedlot website at: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/quick-links/feedlot-program.
Back to top
 Some experts say that 60 to 90 percent of all communication
is non-verbal. To take advantage of this wider spectrum of communication, for
years the MPCA feedlot program has been a trade-show exhibitor at scores of
livestock industry conventions. Over the years thousands of livestock producers
have stopped at our booth, asking questions, taking factsheets and forms, lodging
complaints, or just to visit. The most recent trade show occurred Jan. 19-20 at
the Minnesota Pork Congress at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Livestock
producers seem to appreciate the opportunity to meet feedlot program staff in
person. They find it convenient to collect factsheets, guides, or even permit
application forms.
This year in particular, there were forms for the new NPDES
and SDS permits, and annual reports. Livestock convention break-out sessions
often include feedlot program staff as presenters about feedlot rule provisions
such as permitting and manure land application. This year at Pork Congress feedlot
program engineer George Schwint gave a presentation for the manure applicator
workshop, providing continuing education units for licensed Certified Animal
Waste Technicians. Other
MPCA staff at the Pork Congress booth included Steve Schmidt, Dana Leibfried,
Desiree Hohenstein, and Forrest Peterson. Next up: Summer Beef Tour of the
Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association July 11-12 in Canby. Photo: Desiree Hohenstein of the Mankato office points out a
delegated county to visitors at the MPCA’s Pork Congress trade show exhibit.
Back to top
|
 A waiting list and online survey remain available for the state Water Summit Saturday, Feb. 27 in St. Paul. The summit will focus public attention on the serious challenges facing Minnesota’s water supplies – in both rural and urban areas of the state – and continue statewide dialogue around steps that must be taken to address those challenges. The summit will bring together water quality experts, farmers, legislators, regulators, the business community, members of the public, local leaders, and a wide variety of other stakeholders. The summit will begin at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27 at InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront.
To ensure that all Minnesotans’ voices are heard on this important, statewide issue, stakeholders and other interested members of the public are encouraged to complete an online survey, launched in conjunction with the Governor’s Water Summit, regardless of whether they plan to attend the summit in February. The information and input gathered from this survey will help inform the administration and Legislature on Minnesota’s water quality challenges and possible solutions.
Learn more
Registration page for the water summit
Online survey
Back to top
|
County feedlot staff news
Training for new county feedlot program staff has been scheduled for April 26-28 at the Days Inn in Hutchinson.
In Carver County, feedlot officer Lori Brinkman has moved to the county's SSTS inspector post, leaving a vacancy until the position is filled.
Request for research proposals on BMPs to protect and restore water resources
The Dept. of Agriculture is requesting proposals for research to quantify
agricultural conservation practice effectiveness related to nutrient source
reduction, off-movement, and treatment. Applications must be submitted using the format prescribed
in the proposal instructions. To request proposal instructions and to receive
application materials, please e-mail for the full RFP, which will be sent free
of charge to interested parties. Additional information, including research priorities, is available in the February 1, 2016 State Register (see page 38).
Heidi
Peterson, Impaired Waters Technical Coordinator
625 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-2538
Phone: 651-201-6014
Email: Heidi.Peterson@state.mn.us
Back to top
Southwest Minnesota counties see continued expansion in cattle, hog facilities
Worthington Daily Globe, 1/28/16
Ag plastics becoming a growing ‘tumbleweed’
McLeod County Chronicle, 2/3/16
Back to top
March 16-17, 2016: Midwest Poultry Federation convention, St. Paul
RiverCentre.
March 16: Dairy Day at the Capitol. Minnesota Milk Producers Association
Back
to top
The
MPCA Feedlot Update welcomes news from partners about, projects, people, and
upcoming events. Email submissions to forrest.peterson@state.mn.us.
Past issues of Feedlot Update are available on the feedlot program publications webpage.
| 
