 The 2014 meeting of the Minnkota Agri-Builders and Equipment Suppliers Association included a tour of new calf housing systems at Riverview Farms (photo by Allie Remer). The meeting was held March 13 and 14 at Prairie's Edge Casino near Granite Falls. Other topics on the program included beef housing systems, SDSU's new swine research facility, livestock building energy audits, manure pit foaming, and guidelines for working around contagious disease swine facilities. The Minnkota Agri-Builders and
Equipment Association was organized by Larry Jacobson, University of Minnesota professor and Extension engineer in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, and Steve Pohl, South Dakota State University Ag and Biosystems Engineer. The Association helps agricultural builders, equipment suppliers,
contractors and consultants keep up with the latest information in ag construction., and hosts a symposium each March.
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 As part
of a larger water quality study in the North Fork Crow River watershed, several
Wright County offices met in January to discuss various issues including
feedlots. Representatives from NRCS, SWCD, county feedlot office, and the Crow River Organization of Water discussed what could be done within the scope of current
rules and ordinances. One product is a county map (right) showing feedlot
location, size range, and inspection results. The green dots indicate feedlots
without significant water quality issues, red dots those with issues, and
yellow dots not yet checked.
"We wanted to know on the whole how feedlots are dealt within the watershed, plus
it will help with future grant writing if it’s in the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy," says Dan Nadeau of the Wright SWCD. Funding for feedlot fixes is
available through NRCS or Wright SWCD (BWSR grant). The county water planner had the idea
to create a Technical Evaluation Panel for feedlots to help coordinate efforts of the various agencies toward increasing participation by livestock producers. "Better
communication between partners can help us do a better job assisting feedlots with pollution problems," Dan says.
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 Training for new county feedlot officers took place March 11 and 12 in Willmar. With 10 county staff attending both days, it provided an introduction to and overview of the
feedlot program. Topics included the delegated county program, permitting and
inspection process, and resolving pollution issues. Day two concluded with a presentation on emergency response by Craig Schafer (photo) of the MPCA Marshall office. An April 15 session will
focus on land application of manure, and April 22, the MPCA's Delta database
system. All sessions are being held in the training room of the Kandiyohi County
Rescue Building, Willmar. The county feedlot program is a cooperative
arrangement between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and county
government to administer Minnesota's feedlot rule. This cooperative program is
known as "county delegation" or the "county feedlot
program." County feedlot programs are responsible for the implementation
of feedlot rules and regulations in 54 Minnesota counties including most of the
major feedlot counties.
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A training course to become certified as
an Authorized Poultry Testing Agent (APTA) will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 28 at the Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes in Baxter. APTAs are individuals who have been trained by the Board of Animal Health to test poultry for Pullorum-Typhoid (P-T) using the Rapid Whole Blood Test. Testing agents can also collect samples for other poultry program disease testing at the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory.
To become certified as an APTA, interested individuals are required to participate in a one-day classroom training session as well as one-on-one field instruction training by a Board representative. Authorizations are valid for four years. APTAs must be at least 18 years of age. For questions about the training, contact the Minnesota Poultry Testing Lab at 320-231-5170 or send an
email.
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 Sarah Schieck has joined the University of Minnesota
Swine Extension team. One of her goals is to continue doing the UMN Swine Extension Update Newsletter. Highlights of the latest issue include: Welcome Sarah Schieck, PEDV Research by SDEC Researchers, PEDV Marches Across North
America, Propane Conservation Tips for Swine Producers, Next N212 PRRS/PED
Regional meeting March 10, Swine Production Seminar March 13, PQA Plus &
TQA Certification classes, Seminars from 2014 MN Pork Congress, and Upcoming
Events. For more information, contact Sarah Schieck, University of Minnesota Extension, Swine Extension Educator, 46342 Hwy. 329, Morris, MN 56267, Email: schi0466@umn.edu, Phone: (320)
589-1711
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Workshop explores raising goats for meat production
Minnesota farmers are expressing more interest in raising goats
for meat production. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and
University of Minnesota Extension are teaming up to host a workshop with the
Minnesota Meat Goat Producers and answer questions about this trend. MDA staff will guide attendees through processing and
slaughter regulations both on and off the farm. A panel of goat producers will
also be sharing their experiences with meat goat farming and marketing.
Opportunities will be available to speak with buyers, learn about the market
and discuss feeding strategies. A veterinarian will also cover kidding and
other health topics unique to goats.
The workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the
Clear Lake Town Hall (8580 Main Ave. Clear Lake, MN 55319) on Saturday, March
29. Registration is $10 per person or $20 per farm with lunch included and cash
or checks are accepted at the door. Please register by March 20 for the
workshop by emailing kelly.anderson@state.mn.us
or calling 320-808-4424. For more information about becoming a
Minnesota meat goat producer, visit the MDA dairy and meat goat webpage.
Farm bill retains EQIP fundings, with some changes
The 2014 Farm Bill continues to provide funding for EQIP but includes some changes, such as increased payments to veterans, socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers or ranchers. EQIP provides funding for a variety of different conservation practices that help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners make improvements to their land, benefiting both their agricultural operations and the environment. Learn more about EQIP.
Gov. Dayton proclaims March 23-29 Minnesota Agriculture Week
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor
Mark Dayton has proclaimed March 23-29, 2014, as Minnesota Agriculture Week.
The designation is an effort to raise awareness of the significant
contributions agriculture makes to the quality of life of all Minnesotans. “Please join me in celebrating the hard working people who
are producing the high quality and affordable products we enjoy and that are in
demand around the world,” Gov. Dayton said. “All Minnesotans should be proud of our
state’s rich agricultural heritage and the vibrant industry that agriculture is
today.” Minnesota is an agricultural powerhouse, ranking fifth
nationally in total agriculture production and fourth in agricultural exports.
The ag industry pumps approximately $75 billion dollars annually into the state
economy and supports 340,000 jobs. Minnesota
Agriculture Week is being recognized in conjunction with National Agriculture
Day on Tuesday, March 25. This year's theme is “Agriculture: 365
Sunrises and 7 Billion Mouths to Feed.” For more information on
National Ag Day, visit the website www.agday.org. - Margaret Hart, MDA communications.
News articles
Nutrient management: No easy answers
Agri-News, 2/25/14
Nutrient management: Where do we go from here?
Agri-News, 2/25/14
Luoma cited for feedlot, water quality violations
News release, 3/11/14
Freezing pipes spilled 60,000 gallons of liquid manure
Winona County Daily News, 3/18/14
Snowmelt poses challenges for livestock manure application
News release, 3/10/14
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March
18-20: Midwest Poultry Federation convention, St.
Paul RiverCentre.
March 22: Spring sheep workshop, Holly and Paul Neaton farm, Watertown.
March 25-27: Central Plains Dairy Expo, Sioux Falls.
March 26: Waseca County Farmer Forum, FarmAmerica, Waseca.
April 3: Discovery Farms update, 9 a.m., MinnWest Technology campus, Willmar.
April 25-27: Minnesota Horse Expo, state fairgrounds
coliseum.
July 8-9: Manure Expo, Springfield, MO.
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The MPCA Feedlot Update
welcomes news submissifrom partners about, projects, people, and upcoming
events. Email submissions to forrest.peterson@state.mn.us. Please note that
the MPCA has switched to a new service, called GovDelivery, to deliver the
Feedlot Update. To ensure delivery of these messages, please add mpca@public.govdelivery.com to
your address book or safe sender list. Past issues of Feedlot Update are
available on the feedlot program publications webpage.
Forrest
Peterson
Public Information
Officer
MPCA-Willmar office
320-441-6972
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