The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification
program advisory committee met June 25 in Glenwood for a program update and
testimonies from participating area farmers. Operated by the Dept. of
Agriculture, it's a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural
landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect
our water. Photo L-R: Paul Freeman, Jessica Blair, State Rep. Paul Anderson.
"It's a chance to quantify the good things we are doing out
there," says Paul Freeman, Pope County farmer. The sentiment was echoed by
Grant Pearson, Stearns SWCD and certification specialist, "it's a
opportunity to tell a positive story." Program director Brad Redlin
offered a comparison with other conservation programs in terms of cost:
"This is proving to be efficient in its use of dollars, the more farms
certified the less it costs."
It uses a risk-assessment process where risks to water
quality are identified and treated. When an identified risk is mitigated it is
counted as a new practice. Farms that install and maintain approved farm
management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty
for a period of ten years. To date, 71 of Minnesota's 87 counties
have at least one water-quality certified farm. Certification numbers as
of June 18,
2018:
- 585
certified producers
- 371,107
certified acres
- 1,087
new practices implemented
Impact on water quality:
- 33,924
tons of soil saved per year
- 15,055
tons of sediment reduced per year
- 18,019
lbs. of phosphorus prevented per year
- Up
to 49% estimated reduction in nitrogen loss
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The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program has
joined Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. Field to
Market is a national organization working to meet the challenge of producing
enough food, fiber, and fuel for a rapidly growing population while conserving
natural resources. As a member in Field to Market, the MAWQCP will work
together with grower organizations, academia, conservation groups, public
sector partners, and leading companies at a national level to continue to
improve water quality, water use efficiency, and land use efficiency while
reducing soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions.
“We feel the Ag Water Quality Certification
Program and Field to Market are a great fit together as Minnesota looks to be a
national leader in water quality and sustainability efforts,” says
Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “As a member, we will be connected
with the network of organizations and farmers participating in Field to Market,
and will be a collaborator on cutting edge projects to improve the agricultural
supply chain.”
“We are pleased to welcome MAWQCP to our
membership and look forward to forging greater public-private partnerships in
Minnesota to support farmers in improving water quality outcomes,” says Rod
Snyder, president of Field to Market. “Working with MAWQCP and the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture will be a great addition to state-level leadership
within Field to Market.”
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You are
invited to attend a Drainage Water Management Demonstration Tour at the
University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center just west of
Lamberton, Thursday Aug. 16. The field day is being sponsored by the Southwest
Research and Outreach Center and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural
Resources Sciences with support from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture,
the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment and the National Science Foundation.
Goals are to share how single and multiple drainage water management practices
can help meet the Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy Goals for nitrogen and
phosphorus from agricultural runoff and drainage while maintaining farm
productivity and profitability.
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The Cottonwood Cattle Producers hosted the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association’s summer tour and trade show Tuesday, July 10 in the Windom and surrounding area. “It's a good opportunity to show how we do things in our part of the state and use the resources that we have,” Cottonwood County Cattle Producer board member and tour coordinator Jamey Hochstein told the Worthington Daily Globe. “It’s also good to show innovative things that producers are doing.” In the photo at right MSCA executive director Ashley Kohls is interviewed on radio. Tour stops included:
- Graff Feedlots LLC, northeast of Jeffers: Cow-calf pasture operated by Troy and Hilary Paplow and Glen and ValRee Graff that implements rotational grazing and cover crops.
- Minnesota Supreme Feeders, south of Lamberton: Modern feedlot owned by Warren, Maxine and Mark Pankonin.
- J&S Grazing, west of Windom: Stocker pasture operated by Jeff and Scott Fredin.
- Extended Ag Service, Lakefield: Agriculture service provider operated by Jim, Andy and Matt Nesseth that offers scouting, research and advice.
- O’Connor Farms, southwest of Lakefield: Vintage feedlot with improvements to meet demands of today’s production expectations and market owned by Dan O’Connor.
- Marlin and Kelly Piotter cow-calf pasture, southeast of Windom: Rotational grazing pasture.
The event included a trade show featuring 56 indoor and 12 outdoor ag-related vendors at the Cottonwood County Fairgrounds in Windom. The Cottonwood Cattle Producers last hosted the event in 2008, and also hosted in 1998. The 2019 Summer Beef Tour will be July 9 in the Morris area.
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Black angus cattle at Minnesota Supreme Feeders south of Lamberton
Continued summer rainfall in southern Minnesota finds
some livestock producers scrambling to stem overflow from livestock manure
storage basins. Pollution problems include overflowing manure and wastewater
storage structures and releases from underground and above-ground storage tanks
as well as open feedlots located in floodplains or in sensitive areas where
runoff can enter surface waters. Photo: Overflowing cattle manure storage basin from recent heavy rains in southwest Minnesota.
Farmers must call the Minnesota Duty Officer immediately at
(800) 422-0798 (calls answered 24/7) if their manure-storage facilities
overflow, if manure enters surface waters or if their manure-storage structure
is inundated by floodwaters. If their manure-storage facilities are in
danger of overflowing, farmers can contact the MPCA at (800) 657-3864 or (651)
296-6300 (during regular business hours) and ask for a feedlot staff person.
Farmers in feedlot delegated counties also may contact county feedlot
staff. NPDES and SDS permit holders experiencing a discharge must submit the 5-day
discharge report and notify the agency when the level encroaches on the
freeboard.
To reduce the likelihood of an overflow, feedlot operators are
encouraged to divert water from manure-storage facilities if
possible. Manure stockpiles located in areas that could flood should be
removed immediately.
While we can’t control weather, planning ahead helps to better
deal with the impact of bad weather on manure management and land application.
A little more investment in storage, conservation practices, and planning can
be a very cost-effective form of insurance. It also reduces the risk of
economic loss of nutrients from surface-applied manure without incorporation.
Farmers with open feedlots should scrape-and-haul weekly if possible.
For more information about flooding and the environmental
problems it can create, visit the minimizing flood risk page on the MPCA
website. Factsheet: Managing manure storage and land application during
adverse weather conditions.
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The
Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH) announces the selection of the first
State Soil Health Specialist, Anna Cates. This position provides expertise on
soil health issues for agricultural and conservation professionals across the
state.
The Office for Soil Health is a collaborative program created
last year by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in partnership with
the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC). The Office for Soil
Health strives to build local expertise to promote soil health and water
conservation by developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of local
conservationists to promote sustainable soil and land management.
Anna Cates holds a Master of Science in Soil Science and is
finishing her doctorate in Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
where she has been studying soil carbon cycling in corn-cover crop biofuel
systems. She will begin her new role in a full-time capacity in January 2019,
but will work part-time until then to connect with partners and stakeholders
and plan outreach and research activities. Her position will be housed within
the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota.
“I’m eager to work closely with farmers, keeping in mind the
uncertainties of crop and livestock production,” Cates said. “My goal is to
tailor my research toward addressing the practicalities of running a business.”
The Soil Health Specialist will expand the tools and skills of
Minnesota’s local conservation delivery community through the development of
research and outreach strategies, as well as promote greater understanding of
the economic impacts of soil and water management practices. For more
information, contact the Office for Soil Health at (612) 624-6765.
New Farmers.gov Soil Health Page
Healthy soil is the foundation
of productive, sustainable agriculture. The USDA launched a
new soil health page on farmers.gov, being built with the needs of America’s
farmers, ranchers, and foresters in mind. Visit today
to learn more about the principles of soil health, and give us feedback at the
bottom of the page. Whether you grow corn in Alabama, raise cattle in Wyoming,
or anything in between, this will help you build healthier soils and
strengthen your operation.
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The Dept. of Agriculture will be holding five
public hearings in July before an administrative law judge on the proposed
groundwater protection rule. The initial comment period closes on Aug. 2 at 4:30 p.m. More information about
the formal comment process is here.
The goal of
the rule is to work with local farmers to reduce
elevated nitrate levels in groundwater. The proposed rule would regulate the
use of nitrogen fertilizer in areas of the state where soils are vulnerable to
leaching and where drinking water supplies have high nitrate levels. Public
input is important to the rule making process and the public can testify on the
rule at the following scheduled hearings:
- Monday, July 16,
1-6 p.m., Robert Boeckman Middle School, 800 Denmark Ave., Farmington
- Wednesday, July 18,
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Stewartville Civic Center,105 1st St E, Stewartville
- Thursday, July 19,
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Minnesota West Community and Technical College, 1450
College Way, Worthington
- Wednesday,
July 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., River's Edge Convention Center, 10 Fourth Avenue
S., St. Cloud
- Thursday,
July 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., American Legion, 900 1st St E, Park Rapids
The judge must allow written comments to be
submitted into the hearing record by the agency and all interested persons
for five working days after the hearing ends. At the hearing, the
administrative law judge may order this five working day comment period
extended for a longer period but for no more than 20 calendar days. Comments
should relate to agency’s proposed rule, and comments received after 4:30 p.m.
will not be accepted.
A rebuttal comment period will be Aug. 3 through 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 9. This
may change if the administrative law judge extends the initial comment period
at the hearing. Rebuttal comments should relate to comments filed by others in
the initial comment period. Comments received after 4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 will not
be accepted.
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Sept. 25 many of the region’s top agriculture and animal
science stakeholders will convene to discuss some of the industry’s most
pressing issues at the MinnWest Technology Campus for the 8th annual Ag & Animal Science Conference. A
key objective is to support a unified voice to share the collective narrative about agriculture and
the role it plays on the economy from our neighbor’s table to world trade.
Keynote speaker Tony DeLisi
is a senior consultant at Avalanche focused on workforce and economic development strategies,
project management, research, and client support. His session "Regional Collaboration in Agriculture &
Animal Science" will help participants understand successful current
economic development trends in agricultural technology, workforce and
collaboration.
The session will frame the topic from a national perspective, and will include
examples from best practice regions of various sizes that have built
successful programs around agriculture and animal science. The focus will
likely be on factors such as precision agriculture, new technology, connecting to global markets, local food, and regional partnerships.
Technology campus hosts 30 companies
The MinnWest
Technology Campus is a business community located on a 100-acre historic campus
in Willmar. It hosts 30
companies in agribusiness,
bioscience and technology, national and global leaders
in their industries. There are four state-of-the-art R&D labs including a University
of Minnesota Extension Level II clean room and teaching lab with a DNA
sequencing machine.
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This year marks the 80th
anniversary of the formation of the first Soil and Water Conservation District in Minnesota. The first
district was the Burns-Homer-Pleasant SWCD located in Winona County. To
highlight this milestone, the Conservation Partnership, MASWCD, NRCS, BWSR and
Winona County SWCD, are planning an outreach event on Tuesday, Aug. 14 to
advance the SWCD and NRCS mission of voluntary conservation and technical
assistance. The event will take place at Farmers Community Park, 23274
Arches Rd, Winona, MN 55987 (look for additional event information from MASWCD in the near
future).
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Registration open for U of M Field School for Ag
Professionals July 25-26
The 2018 Field School for Ag Professionals will
be July 25 - 26 at the University of Minnesota Agriculture Experiment
Station on the St.Paul campus. The school combines hands-on training
and real world field scenarios. The two-day program focuses on core principles
in agronomy, entomology, weed and soil sciences on the first day to build a
foundation for participants, and builds on this foundation with timely,
cutting-edge topics on the second day. More information.
'Conservation for a profitable farm' workshops offered
A series of workshops about "conservation for a profitable
farm business" in the Shakopee Creek Watershed will provide farmers and
landowners an opportunity to learn from other farmers and experts ways to
support profitable farming while building healthy soils and maintaining clean
water. Remaining workshops include:
- July 19, 9-noon, tilllage and
soil health, Law Enforcement Center, 1410 Kansas Ave., Benson.
- Aug. 7, 4-7 p.m., integrating
livestock into row crops, Kerkhoven Community Center, 301 10th St.
- Sept. 7, 4-7 p.m., farmland management,
conservation legacy and working lands, Kerkhoven Community Center.
To register contact SWCD offices in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, or
Swift counties, or Land Stewardship Project office in Montevideo, 320-269-2105.
EPA reports on coordination for nonpoint source measures in
hypoxia task force states
The Nonpoint Source Workgroup of the Hypoxia Task Force has
produced a summary of nutrient reduction measures among member states, and critical
metrics for tracking and informing progress toward reducing nutrient loadings
to the Gulf of Mexico. This document represents the first-ever report
that focuses on the Hypoxia Task Force. It is a coordinated effort to account
specifically for nonpoint source changes, primarily agricultural, that
influence nutrient loading from a variety of methods. Read the report and
learn how the Hypoxia Task Force and partners are supporting states in the
Mississippi River Basin to implement nutrient strategies and conservation
practices to reduce nutrient loadings contributing to hypoxia in the Gulf of
Mexico.
Using canopy sensing to
manage nitrogen
Minnesota crop news blog: In Minnesota, we’ve seen more in-season nitrogen applications due
in part to wetter springs. More precipitation means less time to apply before
planting, or more nitrogen loss in season. Many are turning to canopy sensing
technologies to guide fertilizer application rates during in-season
applications. Here’s a look at how it works and what to consider when using
sensing. Read more here.
MPCA posts 2018 Clean Water Accountability
Report
The MPCA 2018 Clean Water Accountability Report was posted on its website on June 29. The Clean Water Legacy Act requires that the MPCA
report actions taken in Minnesota’s watersheds to meet water quality goals and
outcomes. The first report in 2016 covered eight WRAPS-approved
watersheds. This year’s report provides more data online through a Tableau
format and covers all 80 watersheds statewide, including status of WRAPS/TMDLs,
wastewater loading, best management practices, and spending for implementation
projects. Questions can be directed to David
Miller or Jeff Risberg.
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MPCA sets up air monitoring at Goodhue County hog farm Rochester Post-Bulletin, 7/5/18 Hog farm opponents encouraged by meeting with governor Rochester Post-Bulletin, 7/5/18 Fillmore County backs EIS request for proposed feedlot Fillmore County Journal, 7/9/18
July 13: Women in Ag Network summer tour, Kimball. Aug. 15-16: North American Manure Expo, Bookings, SD. Aug. 16: Drainage water management, SWROC, Lamberton. Sept. 25: Ag and Animal Science Conference, MinnWest Technology, Willmar.
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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