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Science, agriculture, environment; soil health; Feedlot Update |
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July 2021
Measuring soil health
On-farm field days to share results
As part of a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant, the Minnesota Office for Soil Health has been working with local partners to measure soil health on farms across the state. Five on-farm field days will be held in the coming months to share results. For details, visit the Sustainable Farming Association's soil health page. In addition to the producers where the testing is taking place, local project partners include SFA, Mower SWCD, Stearns SWCD, and Sauk River Watershed District. The first field days occurred June 30 for Marshall and Kittson counties. Remaining events are July 14 (Moorhead), July 15 (Redwood County), Sept. 1 (Stearns County), and October TBD (Mower County).
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Celebrating the science of animal agriculture and natural environment
Waste to Worth seeks topics for 2022 conference
The Waste to Worth conference is seeking proposals to deliver presentations, or to coordinate a workshop, panel or other professional development activity at the 2022 conference, April 18-22 at Maumee, OH. Waste to Worth brings together the nation’s best science on animal agriculture and the environment with innovative outreach, opportunities to meet and network with outstanding people, and a mix of multidisciplinary specialists in a collaborative atmosphere. The event will include research and extension speakers that address water quality, air quality, soil health, manure storage and treatments systems. There will be tours of local practices that make better use of manure nutrients and help prevent soil erosion. The conference is sponsored by the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community.
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Feedlot Update
Feedlot program welcomes new staff
MPCA Marshall office The MPCA Feedlot Program welcomes new staff in the Marshall office. Nick Timmerman started June 9, and Jason Kaare June 30. Nick is a graduate of South Dakota State University, Brookings, with a BS in both Animal Science and Agricultural Science. Jason is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a MS in Agricultural Education and a graduate of the U of M with a BS in Agricultural Education. Both bring years of animal agriculture experience to their new jobs. Welcome Nick and Jason!
Renville County Grayson Maresh started July 6 as Renville County feedlot officer. He grew up in Glencoe and graduated from Glencoe-Silver Lake High School. In May he graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Geology.
Steele County Dan Kuhn is leaving the Steele County CFO post; Dale Oolman is the contact until the position is filled.
Feedlot program training videos now available online
A comprehensive series of training videos for new feedlot program staff is now available online. The Minnesota Delegated County Feedlot Online Training offers six lessons covering the fundamentals of the MPCA feedlot program, from registration and inspections to emergency response and on-farm management. While created for a primary audience of county feedlot officers, it can be useful for anyone interested in livestock and environment management. It is a joint project of University of Minnesota-Extension, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Association of County Feedlot Officers, and funded by a LCCMR grant.
Factsheet addresses FAQs on feedlots for lenders, real estate
The Feedlot Program has posted a new factsheet with information about feedlots for lenders and real estate agents. Main topics are registration, feedlot rule compliance, and zoning. MPCA and county feedlot staff collaborated on providing answers. Find it here: Registration, permits, and environmental review | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
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Environmental review wraps up for 12,000-head dairy proposed in Traverse County
The public comment period ends July 8 for the environmental review of a 12,000-head dairy proposed by Riverview Farms in Traverse County. The environmental assessment worksheet and draft permit are available on the MPCA web site. News release.
- Environmental assessment worksheet — Jenna Ness (651-757-2276) MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
- Feedlot permit — Molly Costin (218-846-8114) MPCA, 714 Lake Ave., Ste. 220, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
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Water quality-certified livestock farms go to front of feedlot permit application line
Minnesota livestock farms applying for feedlot permits from the MPCA can jump to the head of the line if they become certified in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). In 2016 the MPCA revised its feedlot permit application to recognize water quality-certified producers and move their permit application to the front of the line. The MAWQCP is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and receive numerous perks, including:
- Regulatory certainty for 10 years
- Technical and financial assistance
- Recognition
- Priority for feedlot permit applications
More than 775,000 acres and 1,080 producers are Water Quality Certified in Minnesota. To learn more visit MyLandMyLegacy.com or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District office.
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Lawmakers approve $2 million for water storage in the Minnesota River Watershed
Years of effort by citizen activists in the Minnesota River Basin helped create funding for increased water storage in the watershed. The Board of Water and Soil Resources will receive $1 million in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to fund the development and demonstration of the new water storage program starting with the Minnesota River Watershed. Vast amounts of artificial drainage help produce abundant crops, but the altered hydrology impacts water quality, channeling excessive amounts of sediment and nutrients into the river and its tributaries. Projects that store water, at least temporarily, can help reduce the downside of drainage.
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Ag-environment events, education, research
NRCS antes $15 million for Conservation Through Innovation
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $15 million to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. This year, funded CIGs will focus on climate-smart strategies for water resources, soil health (focused on carbon sequestration and climate resilience), nutrient management, grazing lands conservation and strategies to increase conservation adoption. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by July 19, 2021.
What happens when we plan for extreme events and what happens when they happen unexpectedly. This Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community presentation was originally broadcast on June 18.
Using social norms to promote conservation adoption
June 9 webinar featuring Landon Yoder of Indiana University, Bret Shaw of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Maggie Norton of Practical Farmers of Iowa. Access the recording on the North Central Region Water Network’s YouTube page or view the presentation slides here.
Teaching soil health from a pit
Soil Health Nexus webinar June 16 featuring DeAnn Presley from Kansas State University. More information at soilhealthnexus.org.
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In the news
Water withdrawal update
DNR Watershed Health Assessment Framework
While we are fortunate to have an abundant water supply in Minnesota, careful management is necessary to ensure a sustainable use of the resource. The Water Withdrawal Index helps identify areas that may experience stress to the water supply from recent use. The WHAF Team has updated this index with an additional eight years of water use data. With the update, the index map now reflects the five most recent available years (2014 - 2019).
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- New Study Highlights Higher Profits for Ag Water Quality Certified Farms
- 2020 certification reviews
- Meet a water quality certified producer-Mergen Acres
- New nutrient management planner available soon
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Quad-City Times In his second go-around as the country's top agricultural official, Tom Vilsack hopes when it comes to farm pollution to wield more carrot and less stick. Vilsack said last week that in President Joe Biden's administration, "the ultimate goal is to reduce emissions" but that his preferred method is through incentives and education, not the heavy hammer of regulatory enforcement.
Raising cattle, sustaining the environment
The Agriculture Utilization Research Institute hosted Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association members Grant Breitkreutz and Mike Feikema on their Fields of Innovation Webinar series May 28 discussing stewardship and sustainability in Minnesota beef production. Mike and Grant discussed how they have incorporated practices that positively increased the sustainability of their operation economically, environmentally, and socially. A recording of their presentations is uploaded here.
Conservationists drive Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program, a model for other states
Farmers dedicated to conservation like Joan Heim-Welch and direct assistance from local conservation offices have put the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program in the spotlight as one of the best of its kind in the country. Forum News Service, 6/7/21. Full story.
Blue-green algae can be harmful to livestock
Hot, calm weather creates the perfect conditions for algae growth in Minnesota lakes. Blue-green algae “blooms” have a thick, cloudy appearance that can look like green paint, pea soup, or floating mats of scum. Some, but not all, species of blue-green algae contain potent toxins that can be deadly to dogs, livestock, and other animals within hours of contact. Full story.
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.
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is a state agency committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate. |
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