Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Editor's note: Photos suitable for use with this news release are available in the News Media Center at www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/index.html. Courtland, Minn. -- Driving onto the Schroeder family dairy farm near Courtland on Highway 14 between New Ulm and Mankato, you see what appears to be a typical small dairy farm -- a big farm house, a red barn surrounded by black-and-white Holstein cows, fifth and sixth generation family members working the farm. Some things haven't changed. Taking a closer look, it becomes apparent that many things have changed. Better genetics, better feed, higher crop yields and better waste management help explain why the Schroeder dairy farm continues to be successful in these days of changes in agriculture and declining family farm numbers. John Schroeder and son Jason's 60 registered Holsteins produce a high volume of high quality milk. They also sell breeding bulls, and raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and oats on 325 acres. Along with gains in milk production and other efficiencies, the Schroeders have also worked hard to improve the farm's environmental record. They're among the estimated 5,000 small livestock farms that need improvements to meet environmental protection rules. In a recent report to the legislature, the Board of Water and Soil Resources estimated that the total cost statewide to make these improvements could reach $388 million. The amount available in grants and loans totaled less than five percent of the need, about $16 million annually. In 2004, the Schroeders agreed to participate in a special provision in the state's livestock feedlot regulation to help small farms reduce pollution from manure and other feedlot wastes. Called the Open Lot Agreement, it allows small feedlots to gradually make necessary improvements, with protections from penalties or high costs. The agreement sets a deadline of 2010 to complete the work. It took a long time, but the Schroeders have nearly completed making $91,000 in improvements, virtually eliminating pollution resulting from manure and milkhouse waste. They installed a new manure storage basin, and other measures to capture runoff from an open lot, divert stormwater, and treat milkhouse waste, which can be a high-strength pollutant. All this occurred not far from the Minnesota River, which faces many clean-up challenges. "No way would we have been able to do this project without cost-share," John says. "It was such a large cost, we wondered how are we going to do this." The assistance came from a U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service grant covering 50 percent of the cost, and a low-interest state loan. The process took nearly two years with meetings and paperwork. "We jumped through all the hoops. You have to be patient, but I'd like to see it streamlined," John says. With the deadline just over two years away for completing work in the Open Lot Agreement, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which regulates feedlots and the environment, is studying ways to help the greatest number of small feedlots meet the goal, and how to continue the work beyond 2010. "Offering small producers time to make improvements has helped them stay in business while helping the environment," says Wayne Anderson, MPCA's agriculture liaison. "A number of agencies have worked together helping many producers like the Schroeders. But now we are reminding farmers that with just two and a half years to go under the Open Lot Agreement, they need to be working closely with agencies to meet their commitments. "For our part, when a livestock producer comes to us seeking assistance, we need to be ready, with financial assistance if necessary," Anderson says. "We need to finish the job with the thousands of small producers who signed on to the agreement, and at the same time continue to seek ways to help many hundreds of producers who have not realized they have a pollution problem or have been reluctant to identify themselves as needing assistance." Although it took time and hard work, the Schroeders say they're generally pleased with the results. Manure is pumped from the barn into the basin. Stormwater runoff from the open lot is captured in the basin instead of running off into drain tiles and ditches. The open cattle pen remains dry, improving herd health and comfort. Twice a year, manure is pumped from the basin and applied to cropland as valuable fertilizer, following appropriate rates and setbacks. They are on track to complete all remaining improvements under the Open Lot Agreement. The Schroeders also have signed up for a voluntary environmental improvement program through the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Improving wildlife habitat is all that remains to become designated as a five-star dairy in the Environmental Quality Assurance program. For more information about the MPCA feedlot program, log on to: www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/feedlots.html.