January 2025 SWCD Board Meeting will be held on January 16th at 9 am
Feedlot Management
Pipestone County is delegated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to administer portions of the State Feedlot Program including registration, permitting, inspections, education & assistance, and compliant follow-up. This delegation allows for a smooth registration and permitting process for most feedlot owners.
Check out more from the https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/feedlots
Manure Pit - Funding for projects similar to this can come from State/Federal/Local funding sources.
Permitting
Permits are required for any structure used for:
- Feeding Animals
- Sheltering Animals
- Housing Animals
as well as, permanent manure storage structures and animal increases. A permit allows a proposed change, requires a fee, and has an expiration date. Some townships do require a permit prior to construction. Be sure too check with your township.
If you live in or near city limits, a variance may be required to determine whether or not a feedlot is allowed. Regardless, feedlots need a permit from the Pipestone County Zoning office when:
- Construction or modifying a feedlot with at least 300 animal units
- The feedlot has a pollution potential
In addition to any potential County permits, large feedlots with 1000 animal units or more require a Federal and State permit issued by the State. The MN Pollution Control Agency has guidance for when such a permit is required. Click below for more information:
Registration
Registration is required when a property contains 50 animal units or more. There is no fee for registration. Click below for registration information:
Manure Management
MANURE SPILL? Contact the Duty Officer ASAP!
1-800-422-0798
or
1-800-627-3529
Manure management and application plans are an important part of owning or operating a feedlot in Pipestone County. The proper management and use of manure has a positive impact in improving crop soil nutrients and also in protecting air and water quality.
What are manure management plans?
A manure management plan shows how the manure generated at a feedlot during the upcoming cropping year(s) is planned to be utilized so that the benefits of applying manure to cropland are maximized while the rules and regulations are met to protect surface and groundwater quality. Manure land application records account for how the manure generated was utilized. Manure land application records are required for feedlots with 100 or more animal units.
Manure management plans must meet the requirements of the State of Minnesota. In general, plans must include: manure storage, handling and testing practices, field locations and acreage used for spreading manure, field specific nutrient management, and sensitive areas management.
Field application of manure must meet State and County requirements to avoid over-application and runoff that reaches surface water. Short-term manure stockpiling is allowed as long as it meets the definition of "Short Term" and is placed properly.
Manure test kits are available through our office. We also offer FREE manure spreader calibrations. Talk to Lance to learn more about this service!
Setbacks
- 30 feet from side yard property lines
- 100 feet from all wells
- 100 feet from the center-line of township roads
- 125 feet from the center-line of county roads
- 150 feet from the center-line of state and federal roads
- 1000 feet from the ordinary high water level of a lake, pond, or reservoir
- 300 feet from the ordinary high water level of a river or stream
- The set back pertaining to all new feedlots from neighboring houses, is a minimum setback of 1,320 (1/4 mile) up to 800 animal units, plus an additional 1.25 feet per animal unit over 800.
- The expansion of an existing feedlot up to 1,500 animal units will require a minimum setback of 500 feet from neighboring houses, places of worship, local government, schools, hospitals, or parks. Expansions greater than 1,500 animal units would require the 500 foot set back plus an additional 1.25 fee per animal unit over 1,500.
- No new feedlot shall be allowed within 2,640 feet (1/2 mile) from a place of worship, school, hospital, or government sponsored park.
- When possible the expansion of the existing feedlot shall be placed away from the neighboring house.
- Any new feedlot located within 500 feet of an existing feedlot, will be considered one feedlot.
- No new feedlots or expansions of existing feedlots shall be allowed within 1 mile of the corporate limits of any incorporated community.