Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-441-6972 forrest.peterson@state.mn.us St. Paul, Minn. - Many of the estimated 25,000 livestock feedlots registered in Minnesota must update their registration information to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) by Jan. 1, 2010. The information includes location, type of operation and number of livestock. "Feedlot registration helps the state protect the environment by targeting resources for improvements where they are most needed," says Randall Hukriede, an MPCA feedlot program manager. "Registration also helps us communicate with livestock producers about regulatory and educational information." The state's feedlot rule requires all feedlot registrations to be updated at least once in a four-year cycle. Approximately 14,000 owners have already re-registered their feedlot for the current four-year cycle that ends Jan. 1, 2010. County and state feedlot program staff will be busy in coming months mailing a two-page registration update form to owners that have not updated their registration. It asks for the maximum number of animals on the site at any time in the past five years. "Accurate registration data is critical for County Feedlot Officers (CFOs) to run a successful feedlot program in their counties," says Ben Crowell, vice-president of the Minnesota Association of County Feedlot Officers and Jackson County's feedlot officer. "Registration data is used to develop inspection strategies based on feedlot type, size and relationship to surface water and wells. It also helps CFOs stay abreast of feedlot trends in their counties, which helps them develop pertinent educational materials and programs for the producers." Registration started with the feedlot rule revision enacted in 2000. It replaced the need for operating permits for the vast majority of livestock feedlots. Feedlots with 50 or more animal units, and 10 or more located near waters, are required to register. Currently, state permits are necessary only for feedlot construction or expansion with 300 or more animal units, for feedlots needing to correct pollution problems, or for large feedlots - typically 1,000 or more animal units. About 1,200 large feedlots in Minnesota require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System permits. Counties also may require feedlot permits. More information about registration and the state's feedlot regulatory program is available on the Web at www.pca.state.mn.us.