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Minnesota farmers improving water quality while it was still voluntary

A southwest Minnesota farmer points out he and others from the state were taking steps to improve water quality while it was still voluntary.

Mike Landuyt grows crops and operates a 700 head cattle feedlot near Walnut Grove.

He says Minnesota farmers were leaders in promoting water quality well before Governor Dayton signed the Buffer Rule into law in 2015.

“Trying to do stuff when it was still voluntary.  And with the way cattle work and being able to hay and graze things, we were already at the forefront.  So we didn’t need the Governor to tell us we had to do it, we already were.”

Landuyt tells Brownfield cover crops help improve water quality, and provide value for his operation.

“Most of our cover crops revolve around planting rye after we chop corn silage, and then we hay it in the spring.  Being a feedlot with no cows, we don’t do any grazing or anything with cover crops.  But I know that sure seems to be a very exploding area in the cattle business.”

Buffer Law enforcement for public waters in Minnesota begins this November following attempts to delay implementation during the 2017 Legislative Session.

The enforcement date for public ditches is November 1^st, 2018.