Revisor ID: R-04928
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is proposing to amend existing Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020 governing animal feedlots. The main purpose of this rulemaking is to amend existing feedlot rules to improve land application of manure practices to address nitrate and fish kills, establish additional technical standards to protect water quality and avoid fish kills. This rulemaking also updates the rule to address changes in livestock and poultry operation/business practices, account for new agency data services, and modernize outdated rule language.
Comment period open
Comments on the animal feedlots rule are open until 4:30 p.m. on July 22, 2025.
Informational sessions
Upcoming sessions around the state for the animal feedlot rulemaking will include helpful background, review technical standards, and lay out an expected timeline.
Background
The last major revision of feedlot rules in Minnesota took place in 2000. Since that time, the agency has observed many notable changes as it has acquired new information and research, as agricultural practices have changed, and as technology and the demand for data has evolved.
New information, research, and understanding regarding agriculture and the environment has led to better understanding of:
- high levels of nitrate in surface waters and groundwaters
- climate change and extreme unpredictable weather events causing fish kills and manure storage area overflows
- evolution of and research for nutrient management best management practices
The new information, research, and understanding has also informed some MPCA reports and strategies, including the MPCA’s 2014 Nutrient Reduction Strategy (and 2025 update) that outlines actions to reduce nutrient pollution to meet long-term goals, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports completed for impaired waters, and Watershed Restoration and Protection Reports (WRAPS) for all major watersheds, documenting issues with high nutrient and bacteria levels in streams, and problems caused by livestock access to streams.
Changes in crop production and nutrient management practices have resulted in:
- increase in field drain tiles amounts and pollutant concentrations
- loss of small grains/alfalfa and accompanying grazing lands/operations
- increased use of nitrification inhibitors
- increased research on manure nutrient crediting
- precision agriculture technologies
- increased research and emphasis on benefits of cover crops
Changes in livestock and poultry production techniques and practices have resulted in:
- fewer total number of feedlots in the state with feedlots now having more animal units per facility, resulting in concentrated manure generation volumes
- more feedlots with 500 or more animal units (AUs), many designed to be just under permit thresholds
- different feed storage practices
- increase in manure transferred for land application
- more liquid manure
- advanced land application practices
- increased reliance on commercial application of manure, including increased use of “manure pipelines/hoses” to move liquid manure farther from point of origin
- increased consolidation/integration and complex ownership structures
The evolution of regulatory strategies and technology has included:
- online services for registration, permitting, manure management planning, and reporting
- the move from paper to electronic records - data management system for agency and partner counties
- demand for real-time information on regulated universe and program performance
Schedule
| Dates | Task(s) |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2025 | Notice of request for comments published in State Register |
| 2025-2027 | Prepare draft rules and Statement of Need and Reasonableness |
| TBD | Notice of intent to adopt proposed rules published in State Register |
| TBD | Final adoption of rules |
