WHEREAS, all Minnesota dairy producers over 1,000 animal units are already in compliance with state feedlot rules and all producers under 300 animal units must come into compliance with the state’s feedlot rules (Chapter 7020 and others) by 2010, and
WHEREAS, the expense of coming into compliance should not be borne by dairy producers alone since improving our natural resources is a benefit to all citizens and the cost of compliance adds uncompetitive production costs to the smaller-scale dairy farmer; and
WHEREAS, the state established the cost share program to assist farmers in making investments in facilities and practices to bring dairy operations into compliance with the feedlot rules, and
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s Feedlot Water Quality Grant cost share program is administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR); and
WHEREAS, the 2007 change in the funding source for the BWSR program from the State General fund to Clean Water Legacy Fund severely limited the number of dairies that are eligible to participate in the program; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 Legislature appropriated $500,000 for Fiscal Year 2010 and $500,000 for Fiscal Year 2011 for Feedlot Water Quality Grants for feedlots under 300 animal units where there are impaired waters; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 for Fiscal Year 2010 and $2,000,000 for Fiscal Year 2011 from the Cultural and outdoor Heritage Fund for Feedlot Water Quality Improvement Grants for feedlots under 300 animal units on riparian lands without regard to impaired waters designation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT:
RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Milk Producers Association urges the state to restore general fund appropriations as the source of state cost share funding.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Minnesota Milk Producers Association urges the state to provide ample funding to meet the regulatory compliance timeline.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the state determine the number and location of dairy operators who are yet to come into compliance with the feedlot rules.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Minnesota Milk Producers Association and State officials work together to facilitate compliance of dairy producers on a realistic timeframe.
