Feedlot Update - Bulletin - March 2020

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Feedlot Update

March 2020


Feedlot permit virtual information meetings March 31, April 2

livestock ear tags

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is revising the NPDES general operating permit for about 1,200 large feedlots covering Feb. 1, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2026.

Virtual information meetings about the permit are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, and Thursday, April 2. The interactive meetings will begin with an overview of the proposed permit, followed by time for written questions. Logon information and instructions are posted on the MPCA feedlot permit webpage. Attendees may sign in up to 10 minutes before the start time.

Following the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidance regarding COVD-19, the MPCA will not be conducting in-person public meetings until after April 30. A formal 30-day public comment period for the permit will be announced in late spring or early summer.

The permit combines Minnesota rules and statutes with federal regulations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. It’s designed to protect water quality, primarily from the storage and land application of manure. A general permit covers facilities whose operations are similar. About 1,200 large feedlots in Minnesota operate under the current general permit.


COVID-19 webinar for producers and ag professionals

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) hosted a webinar, What Ag Producers Need to Know About COVID-19 on March 23 for agricultural producers, ranchers, farmers, farmworkers, veterinarians, Extension personnel, rural health care providers, and others who work in agriculture. The webinar was recorded and is available by registering as a guest user.

Additional resources


News briefs

Extension Connect

Webinar: Precision technologies for managing manure

Emerging precision technologies for manure application provides more effective management of animal manure as a valued nutrient source. In an April 17, 1:30 p.m. Extension webinar three university and industry leaders will discuss precision technology tools and their application for managing manure. They will introduce a new educational curriculum available, explore in-field measurements of nutrient concentrations, and discuss how precision technologies impact agronomic and water quality management decisions. Read more or register for the webinar... 
Presenters:
• Kevin Erb, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Division of Extension
• Bergen Nelson, John Deere
• Laila Puntel, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

sarah anderson

Turkey growers name Sarah Anderson executive director

Sarah Anderson has been named executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and the Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council. From  2007 to 2019 she served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and was chair of the State Government Finance Committee. Most recently Anderson was executive director of the Literacy Matters Foundation. She has a  bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and was on the staff of former Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum. She currently resides in Plymouth, and will join MTGA on April 6. News release.


Calendar

March 31, April 2: MPCA feedlot permit information WebEx, 10 a.m.
April 8: Discovery Farms-Wisconsin Northeast Region Tile webinar, 10 a.m. Register.


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.