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Board approves Soil & Water contract to help feedlots meet new manure‑management plan requirement
Summary
Winona County authorized a contract with the Soil & Water Conservation District to assist feedlots (300+ animal units) with manure management plans; the contract sets an initial billable rate (up to $85/hour) and includes contingencies and funds to support technical assistance through 2026.
The Winona County Board approved a professional services agreement with the county Soil & Water Conservation District to assist producers required to file manure management plans under the feedlot program. County representatives and Soil & Water staff said Winona County has 46 feedlots above the 300‑animal‑unit threshold and that many plans for the 2025–26 cycle remain to be completed as the program transitions from Excel to a new online tool.
Soil & Water explained the contract provides for up to $85 per hour for technical assistance and includes contingency language if the district's billable rate is adjusted; staff said they can use remaining funds to support related practices such as cover crops if interest and eligibility permit. The county accepted the agreement and asked for a mid‑year report to monitor the number of plans completed and program progress.
Why it matters: the rule change (referred to in the meeting as "rule 7020"/feedlot program guidance) requires feedlots above the threshold to have plans on file, and county staff said technical assistance will be necessary to move many producers into compliance during the 2025–26 filing cycle.
Next steps: Soil & Water will begin assistance work and county staff will request a progress report mid‑2026 to track completion.
