The MPCA feedlot program is participating in several upcoming conference trade shows. Staff will be on hand to distribute informational handouts and answer questions. Forms, factsheets, and record-keeping sheets will be available along with tips on how to use. Everyone is welcome stop by to see what's new or just to chat.
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It may seem too soon to start thinking about 2017, but it's not too soon to start working on annual reports for feedlots with NPDES or SDS permits. They are due March 1, 2017. The form is available on the MPCA feedlot webpage. We encourage everyone filing to download the document (wq-f3-22b), fill out the Word version, and e-mail the completed report as a PDF document. Cover letters that accompany permits include the e-mail address of your MPCA staff contact, or call your MPCA regional office for the e-mail address to use. Paper
copies of the form may be requested by contacting the MPCA regional offices.
All land application records for the
12-month period starting Sept. 1, 2015, through Aug. 31, 2016, 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.
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Dodge County passed a resolution on Nov. 8 to withdraw from the feedlot delegated county program as of Dec. 31. Instead, the county plans to focus on education and technical assistance for livestock producers. It will enter into an agreement with the county Soil and Water Conservation District to provide feedlot technician services, similar to what is being done in nearby Olmsted County. The feedlot technician will assist producers with the permitting process, aid in the development of manure management plans, promote feedlot fixes, pursue
cost-share and grants for fixes, respond to feedlot complaints, and perform county ag inspector duties.
"Dodge County
contributes far more than the required match to the feedlot program so that we
are also able to match other grants we pursue on behalf of our producers," says Zoning Administrator Melissa DeVetter. "We did not cut the county’s contribution
at all. Instead, we are combining it with SWCD funds to create a new
Feedlot Technician position. We can do a better job out in the field, and
we are willingly giving up state money without cutting the county match money
allocated to the feedlot duties or sacrificing producer assistance to do this."
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The MPCA county feedlot program was in the spotlight at the 2016 National CAFO Roundtable Nov. 15-17 in Albuquerque, NM. Program manager Randy Hukriede described the delegated county program and how it works. Minnesota is the only state in the nation that delegates administration of the state feedlot rule to counties, with exception of federal permits. Minnesota contributes nearly $2 million annually distributed among 51 delegated counties in amounts determined by the number of registered feedlots per county.
The 2016 National CAFO Roundtable is sponsored by the Association of Clean Water Administrators. It supports the implementation of animal agriculture
programs nationwide by sharing new technologies, best management practices, showcasing
innovative state programs and initiatives, facilitating discussion on national program
enhancements and improvements, identifying state resource needs including tools, training
and guidance, and proposing solutions to challenges and barriers faced by the agriculture
industry and other stakeholders.
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A
solution to the challenge of managing ag plastics such as bale wrap and silage
bags may is closer. Revolution Plastics is asking dairy farmers to sign up as
they bring services to Minnesota. Farms within 80 miles of Sauk Centre will
have the first opportunity for this service by February 2017, but farmers need
to sign up at RevolutionPlastics.com or call 844-490-7873. Other areas will be added as
interest grows. Read more about the Wisconsin-based company and what they
do. - Minnesota Milk Minute newsletter, 10/28/16
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Due to a law change two
years ago, Minnesota livestock producers may now apply for a permit to run
manure hose lines along and across (through culverts) state highways, even if
the farmer does not own the adjoining land. In 2016, Minnesota Milk
strengthened the law by allowing more specified and predictable permitting by
counties and townships. If you have any feedback on manure hose placement
problems or praise in the interim (township permits should not have been
instituted except by a township annual meeting implementation), please report
it to Lucas Sjostrom, lucas@mnmilk.org. To apply for a permit in respect to a state highway, you must contact the MNDOT
district office where the hose will be located. Find your local office. - Minnesota Milk Minute newsletter, 10/28/16
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The MPCA received a request for a public information meeting for a new hog production farm proposed by Circle K Farms. A meeting has been tentatively scheduled for the evening of Dec. 12 at the Zumbrota City Hall. Circle K Family Farms is proposing to build a new hog facility
in Section 14 of Zumbrota
Township, northeast of Zumbrota in Goodhue County. A total
confinement barn would house up to 4,700 finishing hogs. An Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the
project from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was open for public comment
until Oct. 5, and a construction and operating permit was on public notice concurrently. During the comment period, the MPCA received 14 comment letters, four requests for a public meeting, and one request for an Environmental Impact Statement. Concerns cited included the area's karst geology, groundwater, and proximity to nearby residences. The EAW is available on the MPCA environmental review webpage.
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The Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) website will be under maintenance starting
Friday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. All web-based services will be unavailable
until Monday, Dec. 12. If you use our website, web-based applications or e-Services, these
will be unavailable from December 9-12, 2016. We recommend finishing any
required business before Dec. 9. If you questions,
please contact Forrest Peterson at 320-441-6972.
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December 16 Webcast: Pathogens 101
Pathogens, as they relate to animal manure, are a complex topic with new
science being added to the conversation all the time. December's webcast takes
a step back from the complex and focuses on the basics. This webcast will be
valuable to those who work with animal agriculture to converse with those
outside of agriculture and to provide information that can be used in training
programs. More...
(flyer will be posted there when available). Dec. 16, 2016 at 1:30
p.m.
Nutrient Management
- At a recent University of Maryland field day, the
benefits (and negatives) of injecting manure were discussed. The
discussion includes nitrogen (ammonia) losses, the importance of calibration,
costs, and technology for injection. More...
- The Manure Scoop blog from Iowa State University
highlighted the science behind the 50 degree temperature and nitrogen
application. More...
Water Quality
-
EPA has released the annual report on nonpoint source
pollution program highlights. The 24 page report highlights the types of
projects undertaken and the water quality improvements achieved. Summary... | Download
the report (24 pp; PDF)
- A mobile system to extract phosphorus, in the form of
struvite, from dairy manure will be built and demonstrated by Washington
State University and the Dairy Farmers of Washington with a grant from
USDA NRCS. The goal is to create a form of phosphorus fertilizer that can
be transported longer distances than raw manure and help alleviate
nutrient concentration concerns in some watersheds. More....
Avian Influenza Research
by the USDA Agricultural Research Service looked at heat and time as ways to
inactivate the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in chicken
litter. Exposure to 90 degrees (F) for two days was effective in inactivating
the virus. More...
Funding Opportunity The
USDA Conservation Innovation Grant program is now accepting proposals. The
program emphasizes work on farms and looks to stimulate the development and
adoption of innovation technologies for conservation. More...
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MPCA seeks comments from
public on proposed hog feedlot in Swift County News release, 11/17/16 New recycling program available for farmers Alexandria Echo-Press, 11/9/16 Reorganization In environmental services changes feedlot priorities Steele County Times, 11/22/16
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Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference, St. Cloud. Dec. 1-3: Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association convention, Bloominton DoubleTree. Dec.4-6: Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts convention, DoubleTree Hotel, Bloomington. Jan. 12-13, 2017: Organic agriculture conference, St. Cloud. Jan. 13-14, 2017: Minnesota Elk Breeders Association conference, Arrowwood, Alexandria. Jan. 17-18, 2017: Pork Congress, Minneapolis Convention Center. Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2017: International Poultry Production and Processing Expo, Atlanta, GA. Feb. 22-23: Midwest Manure Summit, Green Bay, WI.
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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.
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