Agriculture Stewardship - Land, Water, Livestock - July 2020

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Ag Water stewardship

July 2020

Feedlot permit covering 2021-2026 open for public review

cattle

A revised five-year operating general permit for about 1,200 large feedlots in Minnesota is open for public review and comment through July 23, 2020. The current general permit expires Jan. 31, 2021. Find the draft permit and summaries on the MPCA feedlot program permit webpage,

Comments can be sent by 4:30 p.m. July 23, 2020, by e-mail to george.schwint@state.mn.us, phone-320-894-5866, mail: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165, Mankato, MN, 56001.


Feedlot Program Update

feedlot online registration

Online registration for feedlots enters testing phase

MPCA feedlot staff and county feedlot officers have been testing a new online system to submit feedlot registrations. Persons interested in using the online service can request access during the testing phase. The full roll-out will occur later this year. The next deadline for maintaining a current registration of Minnesota’s estimated 18,000 feedlots is Dec. 31, 2021.Check the feedlot registration webpage for updates.

Public notices

Van Ede swine farm expansion

The environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) and permit for the expansion of the Van Ede swine farm in Nobles County is open for comment through July 15. The proposal would add a second finishing barn, increasing the facility’s total capacity from 2,400 to 4,800 swine between 55 and 300 pounds. Review the EAW on the MPCA Environmental Review webpage. Request a copy of the EAW from or send written comments to Charles Peterson (651-757-2856), Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.


Being proactive leads Frankes to water quality certification

Frankes MAWQCP

The Franke Brothers Farm, Hayfied, worked with Land O’Lakes Truterra staff to become certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. The Frankes will install a grassed waterway to prevent erosion and protect water quality. Farmers who qualify will be certified and receive regulatory certainty for ten years. To date, 897 producers and 623,000 acres have been certified. Check out the full article on the Land O' Lakes Truterra website.

MAWQCP Update newsletter: May  June.


Ag giants collaborate on stewardship technology

ag technology

Truterra (formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN) and Syngenta are collaborating on stewardship and conservation best practices for farmers while helping them focus on productivity and profitability. The combination will help assess and improve soil health, carbon sequestration, GHG emissions, livestock lifecycle assessment and water management. Read more. Photo: Land O' Lakes.


Partners in Ag Innovation virtual conference July 30

ag innovations logo

Nearly 100 have registered for the Partners in Ag Innovation virtual conference July 30. The conference brings together leaders in the ag and animal science community to hear speakers and network with peers. Click here for agenda and registration info.


Composting manure virtual workshops live online Aug. 11

manure composting

UMN and NDSU Extension programs along with compost producers are offering an online manure composting workshop covering every aspect of turning manure into compost and using it as a soil amendment. Content and videos will be posted Aug. 4, and there will be a live online discussion 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 11. Details here: https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events/manure-composting-workshops


NRCS videos show wetland and stream restoration, grazing

wetland restoration

Minnesota NRCS has posted new videos on its YouTube channel.

Rotational Grazing of Organic Bison in Central Minnesota

Trout Stream Restoration in Southeastern Minnesota

Wetland Restoration in Western Minnesota with the Cook Waterfowl Foundation


Ask the expert: Soil health Q&A with Joey Koptis

Farmers dot gov logo

Ask the Expert is a new series launching on farmers.gov. In this Ask the Expert, NRCS District Conservationist Joey Koptis answers a few questions about the importance of soil health and gives practical tips on how to improve soil health and productivity. Read more.


Poultry convention and trade show to be 'virtual' Aug. 12-13

midwest poultry federation

The Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) has cancelled the in-person convention re-scheduled for July, and will offer a complete virtual trade show and conference online Aug. 12-13, 2020. Register here.  Read news release.


Minnesota Farmfest 2020 canceled, forums to be virtual

farm fest

Farmfest, originally scheduled for August 4-6, 2020, in Redwood County, has been cancelled. The political forums typically held on the Farmfest grounds will be held in a virtual format. As plans progress, information about how to connect will be posted on the Farmfest website.


In the news

Protect horse health this summer with proactive vaccines and routines, Board of Animal Health news release


Send the news

The MPCA Agriculture Stewardship newsletter welcomes news from partners about, projects, people, and upcoming events. Email submissions to forrest.peterson@state.mn.us. Past issues are available on the feedlot program publications webpage.