FEEDLOT CHANGES TRIGGERED BY THE FEEDLOT BILL
(This information taken directly from the Minnesota feedlot bulletin, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, July 2000)
CHANGES IN FEEDLOT REGULATION
The feedlot bill, House File 3692, passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Ventura, includes changes in regulation that went into effect in April.  The following are summaries of changes you need to be aware of when working with feedlot operators.  To read the full bill, log on to:  http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/slaws/2000/c435.html
ANIMAL UNIT CALCULATIONS
The legislation puts in statute the animal unit numbers, which assign animal species a numeric value based on weight and manure generated, that are used for determining environmental review and permit requirements.  It changes calculation of swine, horse and some poultry animal units.  The dairy cow and swine animal unit numbers are consistent with the MPCA’s proposed feedlot rules.
COST-SHARE
Unless cost-share funds are available for 75 percent of the cost to make an environmental fix, the amount a feedlot operator must spend to upgrade a facility is limited based on the size of the facility.
Feedlot operators are required to spend the limit amount to make partial upgrades even if cost-share money is not available.
 *Facilities of less than 100 animal units are not required to expend 
 funds for upgrades unless cost-share funds are available.
 *Facilities between 100 and 300 animal units are limited to $3,000 of 
 upgrade expenses unless cost-share funds are available.
 *Facilities between 300 and 500 animal units are limited to $10,000 of 
 upgrade expenses unless cost-share funds are available.
The cost-share limits do not apply if the upgrade is needed to correct an immediate public health threat under section 145A.04, subdivision 8.
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS 
Feedlot operators need to know that if funds are available from the County or state, they are required to make the upgrade.  It is the responsibility of county or state officials to let the feedlot operator know about available funds.  It is the feedlot operator's responsibility to seek out the funds.  If a feedlot operator chooses not to seek available funds, he or she still must make the full upgrade.
 
AIR QUALITY
The legislation allows exemptions from air quality standards for feedlot facilities that are removing manure from storage structures:
*Up to 21 days in a calendar year for facilities with 300 or more animal units
*A rolling exemption for seven days at a time for feedlots under 300 animal units
The legislation also allows a feedlot owner to obtain an air quality easement from the owner of land adjoing his or her farm or parcel.  If an easement is obtained, air quality standards become applicable at the property boundary of the adjoining land to which the easement pertains.
The air quality easement must be for no more than five years, be in writing, and be available upon request by the MPCA or the county feedlot officer.
SWINE LAGOON MORATORIUM
The prohibition against issuing a permit for the construction of open-air clay, earthen, or flexible membrane-lined swine waste lagoons remains in effect until six months after preparation and final approval of the generic environmental impact statement by the Environmental Quality Board. This prohibition does not apply to repairs or modifications related to an environmental improvement of an existing lagoon.
     
FEEDLOT COST-SHARE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO 
RICE COUNTY OWNERS AND OPERATORS
     
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
(a federal program)

Contact Agency: NRCS
Length of Agreement: 5 and 10-year contracts
Provisions/Payments: EQIP provides cost-share funds to pay up to 75% of the cost to implement conservation practices such as erosion control structures and improved animal waste storage structures.  Incentive payments are also available to producers for implementing improved land management practices like nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, and wildlife management.  The maximum payment for EQIP is $50,000 over the life of the contract.
Sign-up Period:  Continuous sign-up at NRCS office.
 
 

Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program (AgBMP) Low Interest Financing for Water Quality Improvement
(a state program) 

Contact Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Purpose of Program: Provides low interest financing to farmers, agriculture supply businesses and rural landowners to encourage agricultural best management practices that prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution identified in local water plans.
Eligible Activities: *Improvements to animal waste control facilities, lagoons and tanks
   *Terraces, grass waterways, streambank protection and other practices that prevent erosion
   *Conservation tillage equipment
   *Improvements of individual sewage treatment systems on farms
   *Abandoned well sealing
Terms of Loans: Loan amounts are limited to $50,000 to any one individual or project.  Loan length depends on improvement, from 2 to 10 years.  The maximum interest rate is 3%, plus a one time ½ % origination fee and other normal and customary charges.  The local lender that services the loan may set additional terms and requirements as long as they are consistent with the terms and requirements of the program.  These loans are meant to encourage water quality protection and may only be used for existing water quality problems.
Sign-up Period:  Continuous sign-up at the Rice SWCD office
 
 

State Cost-Share Program
(a grant from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources)

Contact Agency: Rice SWCD
Provisions/Payments: The state cost-share program provides up to 75% cost-share assistance for the following practices:  feedlot improvements, waste management systems, sediment basins, grass waterways, erosion control structures, grazing management, contour and strip cropping, and streambank stabilization.  Project requires approval of SWCD Board.
Sign-up Period:  Continuous at the Rice SWCD office