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Conservation lands more accessible to Minnesota livestock producers

The Walz Administration is making haying and grazing of DNR lands more available.

Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish says the move is in response to beef plant slowdowns related to COVID-19.

“People haven’t had to euthanize cattle, but they have had to slow them down on feed, change their rations, put more forage in their rations. And we’re trying to slow them down and maybe put them out on pasture.”

MFU, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association worked with the DNR and Department of Agriculture to make conservation grazing more accessible.

“It’s always been there, but there’s always been a little trouble. But we reached out to the Administration and made some progress. If a livestock producer wants to graze the land or make some hay on the land, there’s a process they have to go through. But we’re hoping that provides some relief for livestock farmers.”

Wertish tells Brownfield those interested should contact their local DNR Area Wildlife manager.