Ash Grove Dairy (Lake Benton) - Feedlot Permit

We invite you to comment on the draft permit for the Ash Grove Dairy animal feedlot located in Lincoln County.

The facility will house 3,075 head of dairy in total confinement barns and individual animal housing areas. Liquid manure generated by the animals will be stored within earthen lined, concrete lined, and steel tank storage structures. Solid manure generated by the animals will be stockpiled at the facility and stockpiled with land application fields. Process wastewater and manure contaminated runoff from the facility will be stored within lined structures. Manure generated at the facility will be applied to surrounding cropland at agronomic rates.

This permitting action includes proposed and previously approved construction and expansion of animal holding areas, liquid manure storage areas, permanent stockpile, and a feed storage area at the facility. The animal unit (AU) capacity will be increased from 2,959 AU to a final total of 3,957 AU.

This permit requires the facility to be designed, operated, and maintained to prevent discharge to waters, except in an extreme storm event. Operators are required to land apply manure at agronomic rates, observe water setbacks, and maintain records of land application activities, including location, timing, and rate of application. Please refer to the draft permit for additional requirements.

The MPCA’s feedlot permit strives to protect our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater by preventing manure from polluting water. The permit applies to most aspects of livestock management including the location, design, construction, operation, and management of feedlots and manure handling facilities. Minnesota has approximately 18,000 registered livestock operations.