Feedlot Update - November 2016

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Feedlot Update

November 2016


Visit exhibits at trade shows - Dairy Expo, SWCD, Pork Congress

2016 pork congress

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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Permit holders can get a head start on annual reports

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 votes to drop feedlot rule delegation

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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County feedlot program in spotlight at national conference

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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Free ag plastic solution coming to Minnesota

ag plastic

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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Manure pumping? Provide feedback and learn highway rules

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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Public information meeting requested for Circle K project

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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MPCA website offline for maintenance Dec. 9-12

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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LPE Learning Center December newsletter

LPE News logo

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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In the news

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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Calendar

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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Send the news

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.