Minnesota Ag Connection - Letter from MMPA Leadership Discusses Excel Dairy

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Letter from MMPA Leadership Discusses Excel Dairy
Minnesota Ag Connection - 06/16/2008

The officers of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association (MMPA) last week sent out copies of a letter they wrote jointly. The letter was distributed as part of the organization's newsletter and addressed recent news attention focused on Excel Dairy and problems it's been having with the state's pollution control department.

In the letter, MMPA officials said, "Dairy farmers care about our natural resources as our neighbors do. Our families live and work on their farms, drink the water and breathe the air. The land is part of us. We understand the importance of clean air and water for today and tomorrow.

"The leadership of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, a grass roots dairy farmer organization, is disappointed with the current situation at Excel Dairy near Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The sustained high levels of hydrogen sulfide emissions at the dairy are not a normal event for Minnesota's dairy operations and should be corrected immediately.

"As the owners have stated, they are working to resolve the situation. As dairy producers ourselves, we are hopeful that the owners of Excel Dairy do get the issue resolved quickly for the benefit of their neighbors and the entire community."

The MMPA leaders said the association fully supports the actions taken by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in this case. These actions include requiring the owner to manage odor by maintaining a thick crust on the basin, depositing manure into the basins via subsurface transfer, and completing the cleanout and repair of the old basin by June 30.

For today's farmer, MMPA leaders continued in their open letter, manure is a valuable resource used for growing superior crops while drastically reducing our dependence on commercial fertilizers. Naturally, there are odors associated with livestock farming. Farmers and Uuniversity researchers are constantly searching for innovative and effective options for managing farm nutrients that help make our farms more sustainable.

"While we are disappointed with the events at Excel Dairy, we are proud of our many dairy farmers who invest and work on their farms to better manage manure and protect the environment," MMPA leaders stated. "We strive to produce quality, wholesome dairy products in an environmentally friendly manner. In the end, it will take all of us working together to keep our water and air clean."

MMPA leaders signing the letter included Pat Lunemman, MMPA president; Greg Jans, MMPA vice president; Bruce Stone, MMPA treasurer; and Rita Young, MMPA secretary.