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Feedlot

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Monday- Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
507-765-2539
fax: 507-765-2803 
DMDornink2
Dallas Dornink
Feedlot Officer
Courthouse, 101 Fillmore St.
Preston, MN 55965

Fillmore County Feedlot Program
Minnesota’s regulatory feedlot program involves management between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and most county governments. Most of the counties with a significant number of feedlots have agreed to implement the state feedlot rules and regulations and are commonly referred to as “delegated” counties. A delegated county is responsible for all aspects of the feedlot program for the smaller feedlots in their county (generally less than 1,000 animal units).  The MPCA oversees larger feedlots in delegated counties and all feedlots in non-delegated counties. MPCA rules govern the collection, transportation, storage, processing, and land application of animal manure and other livestock operation wastes. The rules apply to most aspects of livestock management including the location, design, construction, operation, and management of feedlots and manure-handling facilities. Fillmore County is a delegated county.

What is the County Feedlot Program?
In Fillmore County, registration is required for a feedlot of ten (10) animal units or more if it is located within a shoreland, a feedlot of fifty (50) animal units or more if it is located outside of shore land, or has been deemed a potential pollution hazard. To figure out how many animal units you have on your site please use the Animal Unit Calculator. The County Feedlot Office helps producers with permitting, registrations, inspections, education, assistance, and compliance with the State of Minnesota Chapter 7020 Feedlot Rules. We assist feedlot owners with Conditional Use Permit applications, (over 1000 animal units) and we assist the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) with any complaints that are turned in. 

County Feedlot Program Benefits:
The growing importance of the county feedlot program stems from the success of existing programs and the recognition that 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 has the advantage of being part of a network of agencies where technical assistance and other programs can be coordinated to support the needs of the local feedlot owner.
Manure Management:
RECORD KEEPING: Any person applying or receiving manure from a 100 or more animal unit (AU) facility MUST maintain manure application records for the most recent six (6) years within special protection areas or for three (3) years outside of special protection areas.

  • 100-299 AU: Records must include manure nutrient test results within the last four (4) years and all information needed to credit nitrogen from manure applications. If the feedlot holds between 100-299 AU and is in a drinking water supply management area where the aquifer is designated vulnerable to contamination then the records must contain the same information as for feedlots with more than 300 AU.
  • Blank Manure Application Recording Form 100-299 a.u.
  • 300 AU or more: Records must include field acreage and location, amount of manure applied to each field, manure test results within the last four (4) years, dates of manure application and incorporation, expected amounts of plant-available nutrients from manure, and commercial fertilizer each year, soil test results taken within last four (4) years, and any changes to the manure management plan.
  • Blank Manure Application Recording Form 300 AU or more.

​MANURE NUTRIENT TESTING: Must use certified laboratories certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or MPCA-approved on-farm sampling and analysis. Must obtain a representative sample according to the U of M extension service recommendations Any manure produced from a facility with 100 animal units (AU) or more MUST be tested for nitrogen and phosphorus content at a minimum of once every four years with the following exceptions:
1. Initially tested once per year for at least three years if the manure is from a 300 AU or more storage area, and then every four years.
2. Retest when manure nutrient content may change due to climatic conditions, changes in manure storage or handling, livestock types, or livestock feed.

*Free manure kits are available in the Fillmore County Zoning/Feedlot Office*
Building and Construction Permits at the County Level

  1. NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION OR EXPANSION: Feedlots who are proposing construction or expansion and will have fewer than 300 AU 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.
  2. INTERIM PERMIT: For owners with less than 1000 AU and non-CAFOs that have an identified pollution problem hazard. For owners of facilities with more than 300 AU where land application is on high phosphorus soils; on land in special protection areas with slopes exceeding 6 percent; 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 expansion activities under 300AU.
  3. CONSTRUCTION SHORT-FORM: For facilities proposing to construct or expand in the range of 300 to 999AU that do not have pollution problems.

Fillmore County Conditional Use Permit (CUP) will be needed if:
1. A Feedlot is larger than 1,000 AU or more, but not to exceed 2,000 AU.
2. The construction of an earthen storage pit for the storage of manure, regardless of size.
3. Aerial irrigation of manure may be permitted by CUP if a solid separator with screens exists before another storage compartment for the liquid portion of the manure.  Aerial irrigation of the liquid portion of the manure may take place only if by Minn. Rule 7020.2225 setbacks to protected waters, sensitive areas, and as deemed appropriate with a CUP under the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approval of the County Board of Commissioners.
4. The County Board shall deny a CUP for a feedlot if deemed necessary.

STATE DUTY OFFICER: 800-422-0798
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