In what is believed a first for Minnesota, the Society for Range Management annual meeting will be Feb. 9-14 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Typically, the conference takes place in one of the western states. This convention draws livestock producers, agency personnel, university researchers and private consultants from across the U.S. and beyond to learn about and discuss principles of range management.
Established in 1948, SRM has more than 4,000 members in 48 countries. It is the professional scientific society and conservation organization whose members are concerned with studying, conserving, managing and sustaining the varied resources of the rangelands, which comprise nearly half the land in the world.
At the Minnesota convention the Sustainable Farming Association will run a special soil health workshop in conjunction with the conference. This will draw not only the regular SRM attendees but will also appeal to farmers interested in soil health and regenerative agriculture. Workshops and symposiums will address numerous topics including: Grassland restoration, new grazing strategies, invasive species, riparian ecosystems, and rangeland social science. Industry vendors will have exhibits at a trade show Feb. 11-12. This will be the SRM's 72nd international meeting, technical training, and trade show.
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 Similar to last fall, above average rainfall over the last two months is challenging fall manure management, this time with wet fields slowing harvest. Livestock producers are being asked to communicate proactively with the State Duty Officer to report if their manure storage basin is full or nearly so.
County Feedlot Officers also want to hear from producers who may have storage room to spare, as it may be needed in emergency situations. The CFOs will provide advice on best management practices for farmers to minimize impacts. Tips on bad weather manure management are available in the Managing manure, land application during adverse weather conditions fact sheet. State Duty Officer — 1-800-422-0798.
A new post has been published to the Minnesota Crop News Blog: Reducing Risks of Manure Application During Wet Weather: It’s been cold and wet so far this October, delaying crop harvest. This makes it challenging to get manure applied in a timely fashion and for liquid manures, there is a risk of overflow from storage basins. The following is a list of possible things you can do to limit the environmental impact of manure application during wet conditions. Click here for more: https://z.umn.edu/3sze
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 In the event of a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD), identifying potential links to infected premises will need to happen quickly. Especially if during an outbreak a farm wants to move animals or animal products out of a control area via a secure food supply continuity of business permit. The University of Minnesota is conducting a survey of pork producers to determine how quickly the swine industry can provide epidemiologic information needed for establishing Monitored Premises status and what confidence producers have to give this information quickly. The survey takes about 10 minutes and will help plan for response to a FAD. Click HERE to complete the survey. This survey is part of the UMN Foot and Mouth Disease risk assessment project. For questions or additional information, contact Dr. Heidi Vesterinen, DVM, DACVMP (veste012@umn.edu)
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The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture is reminding farmers that many resources are available to help manage pressures brought by finances and economics, such as in the dairy industry currently. With all the responsibilities and stress that comes with farm management, sometimes a farmer needs a helping hand.
The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free and confidential. Toll free number; 833-600-2670. Contact: Ted Matthews, 320-360-2390, tedmatthews317@gmail.com. Website: www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress
The Farm Information Line is a statewide service from University of Minnesota Extension backed by a network of local Extension educators. Extension also offers one-to-one financial counseling for Minnesota farmers experiencing serious financial distress. Trained professionals provide this free and confidential service to help farmers explore their options. To set up an appointment or learn more call: Farm Information Line: 800-232-9077 (8:30 am -12:30 pm M-F), or leave a voicemail afterhours) or email fil@umn.edu.
Credit is essential to farmers. In fact, the need for investments in land and equipment requires most farmers to carry debt. Unfortunately, debt can lead to farm foreclosures and major lifestyle changes. A farmer in debt has the opportunity to renegotiate, restructure, or resolve farm debt through Mandatory Farmer-Lender Mediation. Contact: Mary Nell Priesler, 218-935-5785, preis002@umn.edu.
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) refer to environmental review when required for large feedlot projects or expansion. The EAW assesses the potential for significant environmental effects to occur as a result of a proposed project. It is a tool for determining whether or not a more in-depth EIS is necessary. Following are EAWs open for public review, or in development for future public notice: Included are project name, assigned MPCA staff (or county), public notice date.
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Daley Farms, Lewiston; Kim Grosenheider; pubic comment period extended to Nov. 15..
- LJS Farms, Stearns County; Rebecca Schlorf-Stearns County; public comment deadline Nov. 21.
- Prairie Feeders, Pipestone County; Kevin Kain; EAW in development.
Construction notice compliance needs improvement
Owners of livestock feedlots undergoing new or major expansion construction are required to file a notice of construction with the appropriate MPCA or delegated county permitting authority. There has been an increase in the failure to notify and the MPCA is seeking ways to remind producers. With a construction inspection producers will benefit as it may prevent any future compliance issues. Failure to notify before the start and completion of construction could result in an enforcment action. Getting the word out could include additional outreach to permittees and consultants, a more prominent reminder along with permit issuance, or encouraging engineers and consultants to notify.
Delegated county feedlot staff update
Several feedlot program delegated counties have announced recent staff changes. Ben Huntley is a new employee with the Martin County feedlot program. Ann Steinhaus starts in Meeker County Nov. 6. Rachel Klein is with Polk County, and Carly McGinty is with Winona County. Russ Hillbert, Kandiyohi County feedlot officer, is taking over as president of the Minnesota Association of County Feedlot Officers, replacing Virginia Westlie, who has left Goodhue County SWCD for another job. Taking over in Goodhue will be Kelsey Petit. In Wadena County Liz Weise and Nathan Weise of East Ottertail are filling in termporarily.
New feedlot staff in MPCA Mankato and Rochester offices
Dave Malakowsky replaces Walter Jordan in the MPCA Mankato office. Previously the Waseca County feedlot officer, he worked more than 16 years in the swine industry as the agronomy manager for a large swine producer. He will be doing feedlot permitting, compliance and enforcement and county assistance. Nathan Bird replaces Emily Bartusek in the Rochester office. He has worked more than nine years for USDA/NRCS as a soil conservationist. He moved from California to Rochester along with his wife who is with the Mayo Clinic.
Winona County residents turn out in show of support and concern for Daley Farm expansion
Winona Daily News, 10/17/18
Try, try again: Advancing animal disease traceability
AgWeek, 10/15/18
H5N2 low pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in Kandiyohi County commercial turkey flock
News release, 10/24/18
MDA grant funds 11 innovative agriculture projects
News release, 10/23/18
Nov. 27-29: Minnesota Dairy Expo, Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Welch.
Dec. 7-8: Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association convention, Arrowwood, Alexandria.
Dec. 9-11: Minnesota Association of SWCDs convention, DoubleTree, Bloomington.
Dec. 12-13: Northern States Beef Conference, Watertown, SD.
Jan. 23-24: Minnesota Ag Expo, Verizon Center, Mankato.
Feb. 5-6: Pork Congress, Minneapolis convention center.
Feb. 10-14: Society for Range Management national convention, Minneapolis.
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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