Feedlot Program
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency administers rules regulating livestock feedlots in Minnesota. Kittson SWCD is the delegated feedlot contact responsible for administering and implementing the feedlot program in Kittson County.
The feedlot rule (Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020) regulates the collection, transportation, storage, processing and disposal of animal manure and livestock processing activities, and provides assistance to counties and the livestock industry. The rules apply to all aspects of livestock production areas including the location, design, construction, operation and management of feedlots, feed storage, storm water runoff and manure handling facilities. Feedlot staff work in the areas of land application of manure, permitting, data management, technical assistance, and compliance with feedlot rules.
Protect Water
There are two primary concerns about feedlots in protecting water in our agricultural areas:
-Ensuring that manure on a feedlot or manure storage area does not run into water;
-Ensuring that nutrient-rich manure is applied to cropland at a rate, time and method that prevents nutrients and other possible contaminants
from entering streams, lakes and ground water.
The MPCA works with farmers to make sure their feedlots are environmentally safe. It provides technical assistance to farmers, and conducts inspections at feedlots to be certain they comply with environmental requirements. Some of those requirements for feedlots include:
-Construction specifications that ensure the feedlot will properly contain the manure;
-Manure management plans for many medium and large-sized feedlots
-Requirements for the amount and placement of nutrients spread on fields.
Free Manure Testing Kits:
The Kittson SWCD is offering Free Manure Testing kits to Kittson County Livestock Producers. The testing kits come from AG Vise Laboratories. The district is paying for the M3 partial analysis package. This tests the dry matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the manure sample. Test kits are available for pick up in the office. Producers are responsible for sampling and submitting the manure themselves. Submit the receipt from AG Vise to the SWCD for Reimbursement. If you choose to select analysis beyond the M3 partial package, the SWCD will reimburse up to $50 of the cost.
To sample solid manure:
Feedlot Rule
Feedlot rules have been in effect in Minnesota since the early 1970s. In October 2000 a major revision of the
feedlot rule (Minn. R. ch. 7020) went into effect. Another update occurred in 2014. The main goals for the feedlot rule are:
-Register all feedlots capable of holding 50 or more animal units (AU-see page 4), or 10 in shoreland areas.
-Focus on animal feedlots and manure storage areas that have the greatest potential for environmental impact;
-Expand the role of delegated counties in the feedlot program;
-Increase agency and delegated-county staff field presence.
The feedlot rule does not specifically regulate pasture operations; however, they still must abide by Minnesota Rules chapter 7050 prohibiting pollution of state waters.
The legislature provides funds to counties to implement state feedlot regulations. The funding received is primarily based on the number of feedlots in the county.
The feedlot rule (Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020) regulates the collection, transportation, storage, processing and disposal of animal manure and livestock processing activities, and provides assistance to counties and the livestock industry. The rules apply to all aspects of livestock production areas including the location, design, construction, operation and management of feedlots, feed storage, storm water runoff and manure handling facilities. Feedlot staff work in the areas of land application of manure, permitting, data management, technical assistance, and compliance with feedlot rules.
Protect Water
There are two primary concerns about feedlots in protecting water in our agricultural areas:
-Ensuring that manure on a feedlot or manure storage area does not run into water;
-Ensuring that nutrient-rich manure is applied to cropland at a rate, time and method that prevents nutrients and other possible contaminants
from entering streams, lakes and ground water.
The MPCA works with farmers to make sure their feedlots are environmentally safe. It provides technical assistance to farmers, and conducts inspections at feedlots to be certain they comply with environmental requirements. Some of those requirements for feedlots include:
-Construction specifications that ensure the feedlot will properly contain the manure;
-Manure management plans for many medium and large-sized feedlots
-Requirements for the amount and placement of nutrients spread on fields.
Free Manure Testing Kits:
The Kittson SWCD is offering Free Manure Testing kits to Kittson County Livestock Producers. The testing kits come from AG Vise Laboratories. The district is paying for the M3 partial analysis package. This tests the dry matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the manure sample. Test kits are available for pick up in the office. Producers are responsible for sampling and submitting the manure themselves. Submit the receipt from AG Vise to the SWCD for Reimbursement. If you choose to select analysis beyond the M3 partial package, the SWCD will reimburse up to $50 of the cost.
To sample solid manure:
- Collect multiple samples (15 to 25) from manure pile, combine in clean plastic bucket
- Before hauling: pitchfork or shovel from different depths, avoid top or edges with crust
- During hauling: several samples from each load
- On clean surface, chop and mix thoroughly
- Divide and mix until about one (1) pint remains
- Transfer one (1) pint to plastic sample jar
Feedlot Rule
Feedlot rules have been in effect in Minnesota since the early 1970s. In October 2000 a major revision of the
feedlot rule (Minn. R. ch. 7020) went into effect. Another update occurred in 2014. The main goals for the feedlot rule are:
-Register all feedlots capable of holding 50 or more animal units (AU-see page 4), or 10 in shoreland areas.
-Focus on animal feedlots and manure storage areas that have the greatest potential for environmental impact;
-Expand the role of delegated counties in the feedlot program;
-Increase agency and delegated-county staff field presence.
The feedlot rule does not specifically regulate pasture operations; however, they still must abide by Minnesota Rules chapter 7050 prohibiting pollution of state waters.
The legislature provides funds to counties to implement state feedlot regulations. The funding received is primarily based on the number of feedlots in the county.
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