Minnesota livestock farms can jump to the head of line for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency feedlot permits if they also apply for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s agricultural water quality certification.

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program went statewide last July. It certifies farmers who manage their land to protect water quality. In return, they receive a 10-year waiver from any new regulations that may occur.

Water quality certified livestock farms go to front of permit application line

So far, 137 farms have received certification, covering more than 75,000 acres and generating 274 new conservation practices. Livestock manure management is one of certification categories. Most medium and large livestock farms are required to have manure management plans.

The MPCA revised its feedlot permit application to recognize water quality certification and to move these to the front. It will expedite the approval of the online nutrient management tool developed for the certification program.

Minnesota dairy producers applaud the move. The Minnesota Milk Producers Association says the program “supports dairy farmers’ philosophy that voluntary programs like this one encourage sign-up and make it easier for new farmers and those who are expanding to improve water quality.”

“Voluntary programs with clear incentives for farmers and scientific benefits for the environment are most likely to be quickly adopted by farmers,” said Pat Lunemann, MMPA’s president and a dairy farmer from Clarissa. “We look forward to the integration of these voluntary requirements into current MPCA rules, rewarding those farmers going the distance.”

The first of its kind nationwide, the program began as a pilot in 2012. With state legislation and a $9 million award from the USDA, the program became available to farmers statewide in 2015.

The MAWQCP certifies farmers and landowners for managing their land in a way that protects water quality through a whole-farm assessment that evaluates physical field characteristics, nutrient management, tillage management, pest management, irrigation and tile drainage management, and conservation practices.

“Our board applauds MPCA commissioner John Linc Stine, MDA commissioner Dave Frederickson and their staffs for working across departments to create a win-win situation for farmers and the environment,” said dairy farmer Greg Jans, MMPA policy committee chair, Grove City. “We encourage all regulatory bodies to mimic the collaboration seen in these two agencies in order to support their own missions and make the best use of taxpayer dollars.”