Feedlot Program
Kelsey Petit: 651-923-5286 Ext. 111
kpetit@goodhueswcd.org
Pay Feedlot Registration
Minnesota's regulatory feedlot program includes and optional management between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and county government. The agreement known as "county delegation" or "county feedlot program" increases local service for livestock producers. County feedlot programs are responsible for the implementation of feedlot rules and regulations from 0-999 animal units, with the exception of feedlots over 1000 animal units that require state or federal operating permits.
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In Goodhue County any owner capable of holding 10 or more animal unites must become a registered feedlot. To figure out how many animal unites you have on your site please use the Animal Unit Worksheet.
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What is the County Feedlot Program?
A county feedlot program is established by the transfer of regulatory authority from the MPCA to the county. This transfer of authority is granted by the statue and it allows the MPCA to "delegate" administration of certain parts of the feedlot program to counties. County feedlot programs have responsibility for implementing state feedlot regulations including:
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Registration
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Permitting
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Inspections
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Education and assistance
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Complaint follow-up
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County Feedlot Program Benefits
The growing importance of county feedlot programs stems from the success of existing programs and recognition that administration of the feedlot program at the local level is effective and has many benefits.
Counties have considerable experience and sensitivity to the local practices and conditions that can help to expedite feedlot owner permitting needs and compliance concerns. This includes knowledge of private and community well-water supplies, soils, high priority watersheds, and an understanding of local zoning and land use plans, ordinances and issues. Also, county staff have the advantage of being part of a network of local agencies where technical assistance and other programs can be coordinated to support the needs of the feedlot owner.
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Manure Management
RECORD KEEPING: Any person applying or receiving manure from a 100 or more animal unit facility MUST maintain manure application records for the most recent 6 years within special protection areas and for three years outside of special protection areas.
* 100-299AU- Records must include manure-nutrient test results and all information needed to credit nitrogen from manure applications. If the feedlot holds between 100-299AU and is in a drinking water supply management area where aquifer is designated vulnerable to contamination then the records must contain the same information as for feedlots with more than 300AU.
* 300AU or more- These records must be kept. Field acerage and location, amount of manure applied to each field, manure test results, dates of manure application and incorporation, expected amounts of plant-available nutrients from manure and commercial fertilizer eash year, soil test results, and any changes to manure management plan.
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​MANURE NUTRIENT TESTING: Manure from all manure-storage areas storing manure produced from more than 100AU MUST be tested for nitrogen and phosphorus content at a minimum of once every four years with following exceptions:
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Test once/year for at least three years if the manure is from a 300AU or more storage area, and then every four years
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Retest when manure nutrient content may change due to climatic conditions, changes in manure storage or handling, livestock types, or livestock feed.*
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Must used certified laboratories certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or MPCA-approved on farm sampling and analysis.
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Must obtain a representative sample (according to the U of M extension service recommendations)
---Free manure kits are available in the Goodhue SWCD Office. There are kits for solid and liquid manure.
Building and Construction Permits
At the county level there are 3 types of notice and permits that can be obtained for a feedlot.
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NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION: Feedlots who are proposing construction or expansion and will have fewer than 300animal units after any expansion to notify the county feedlot officer. Feedlot owners who are proposing construction or expansion of any size to notify all local government units. Both notices are required at least 30 days prior to commencing construction.
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INTERIM PERMIT: For owners with less than 1000AU and non-CAFOs that have an identified pollution problem hazard. For owners of facilities with more than 300AU where land application is on high phosphorus soild; on greater than 6 percent slope in protection areas; or in drinking-water supply management area where the aquifer is vulnerable. Interim permits can be issued for any size facility under 1000AU. In some cases, interim permits may be required for construction or expanson activities under 300AU.
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CONSTRUCTION SHORT-FORM: For facilities proposing to construct or expand in the range of 300 to 999AU that do not have pollution problem.
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A Goodhue County Conditional Use Permit will be needed if:
A. Any new or expanding feedlot that meets or exceeds 500Au in an A-1 Zoning District.
B. Any new expanding feedlot that meets or exceeds 300AU in an A-2 Zoning District.
C. Any proposed lagoon system, earthen storage basin, or associated structure (pit) fir the storage or treatment of animal waste that exceeds 500,000 gallons.
D. Any animal feedlot outside of a farmyard.
