By Jake Wildman, Richard Syverson, Dan Glessing, Bob Worth and Warren Formo

As Minnesota farmers who irrigate crops, we’ve experienced a few tough growing seasons in a row – on the field with continually changing weather patterns and off the field with regulatory and legislative challenges. Both impact our ability to farm. Two recent Star Tribune articles mentioned these challenges – “Snow dents Minnesota drought” (Feb. 27) and “Farm water rules lenient, often abused,” (Feb. 19). But neither article told the whole story.

In 2020 abundant, heavy snow fell late in the spring and early in the fall. But 2021 brought the worst drought in decades. And 2022 brought both drought conditions and severe storms that wreaked havoc on houses, farm equipment, buildings and emerging crops. These conditions challenged all farmers across the state – operations that grow crops to support local farmers markets, livestock producers and production agriculture farmers.

In fact, according to a recent Department of Natural Resources water usage report, data shows that irrigators across Minnesota use less water than is permitted 96% of the time.

That’s why we were so surprised to see the introduction of two bills at the Capitol.
HF1680 expands the DNR’s authority to revoke appropriation permits through broad and vague language at any time. HF 1873 expands DNR’s enforcement authority to issue greater fines, which include civil penalties to water appropriation permit holders. Both bills were developed quietly and without any input from the agriculture industry.

In Minnesota, agricultural production and processing industries rank second in the gross state product, generating more than $112 billion annually in total economic impact and supporting more than 431,000 jobs. Irrigation on over 750,000 acres helps farmers grow many crops in which Minnesota ranks in the Top 10 producers nationally, including corn, sugar beets, peas, soybeans, potatoes, canola, wheat, alfalfa and horticulture.

When the 2021 drought was underway, some government support was offered to farmers. Cattle grazing was allowed on conservation lands when feed had all but dried up, and grant programs were created to manage financial constraints.

In the coming weeks, we will be visiting with legislators and agency officials to advocate not only for our right to irrigate, but for our ability to continue feeding Minnesota, America and the world.

Jake Wildman is president, Irrigators Association of Minnesota. Richard Syverson is president, Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Dan Glessing is president, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. Bob Worth is president, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. Warren Formo is executive director, Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center.

Feb. 3, 2023

The following is a press release from the MN DNR.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages well owners, high-capacity water appropriators and water suppliers to apply for reimbursement of costs associated with the resolution of well interferences that occurred during the 2021 drought.

As part of a relief package to address impacts of the 2021 drought, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the DNR to reimburse people who paid for costs associated with restoring a water supply as a result of a well interference. A well interference happens when a high-capacity water user causes the water level in an aquifer to fall to a level that adversely affects the availability of water to shallower wells. Dry conditions in 2021 caused some high-capacity water appropriators to pump groundwater more frequently in some areas of the state, resulting in numerous well interferences.

The DNR received $300,000 from the 2022 legislature to reimburse eligible expenses for domestic well owners, high-capacity water appropriators and public and private water suppliers. Those who wish to apply to the DNR for reimbursement will need to provide copies of receipts for work performed. The DNR will review the applications and determine eligibility for reimbursement.

The well interference situation must have happened between May 1, 2021 and Dec. 30, 2021 to be eligible for reimbursement.

Minnesota Statute 103G,265 requires the DNR to manage water resources to ensure an adequate supply to meet long-range seasonal requirements for domestic, agricultural, fish and wildlife, recreational, power, navigation, and quality control purposes. The Water Appropriation Permit Program exists to balance competing management objectives that include both development and protection of Minnesota’s water resources.

The application period is now open. Applications should be submitted by 4:30 p.m. May 1, 2023. If applications for reimbursement exceed the total funding available, the available funds will be allocated proportionately to all eligible applicants based on their receipts submitted.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the well interference resolution process page of the DNR website. 

Irrigators in 19 Minnesota counties are eligible

St. Paul, MN: The first sign-up for cost-share for irrigation system upgrades and associated practices is now available to producers in 19 Minnesota counties. This cost-share is available through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) awarded by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

The program is available to producers with irrigation systems located within Becker, Benton, Cass, Dakota, Douglas, East Otter Tail, Grant, Hubbard, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Wadena, Washington, and West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). Applications are accepted through June 17, 2022, and are available through the 20 local SWCD offices.

The program provides financial and technical support to irrigators looking to adopt and integrate proven precision irrigation technology and nitrogen management practices to help optimize irrigation system operation. This will help address groundwater quality and quantity issues under irrigated cropland.

The cost-share is available for practices such as installing soil moisture sensors for irrigation scheduling, upgrades of sprinkler packages, conversion to variable rate application, advanced irrigation water management, and fertigation retrofits. The cost-share amount varies; applicants should contact their SWCD for more information.

Acres receiving cost-share for irrigation practices are also eligible for cost-share for cover crops, residue and tillage management, and nutrient management.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, USDA NRCS, the 20 SWCDs, Central Lakes College, AgCentric, University of Minnesota, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, state agencies, irrigator associations, and businesses have partnered to offer this program as part of a $3.5 million grant from the NRCS.

In addition to providing the cost-share, a limited number of irrigators will receive a stipend to participate in the AgCentric Farm Business Management Program to provide an annual financial analysis of their operation. 

More information is available through the program website: https://agcentric.org/rcpp-precision-irrigation/. Contact your local SWCD for more information about the program and how to apply.

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The Alan Peterson Agricultural Scholarship serves to Respect natural resources, Embrace innovation, Advocate for agriculture at local, regional and national levels, Protect irrigated production agriculture and Promote research.

Alan Peterson lived and farmed in Sherburne County his entire life. He proudly served as a member of many agricultural boards at the local, county, and state levels and was president of the Irrigators Association of Minnesota for 18 years. One of his many passions was advocating for irrigation in the sandy soils of central Minnesota. He enjoyed communicating with farmers regarding irrigation questions and concerns. He was open to innovative practices that would increase crop productivity.

2021 Recipients

Congratulations to Anna Buckentine of Chaska, MN and Adam Lange of Deer Creek, MN the first two students to recieve annual Alan Peterson Agricultural Scholarship.

The following is a newsletter from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about the drought condition throughout Minnesota in 2021.

Drought is a naturally occurring aspect of Minnesota’s climate. In 2021 we have seen abnormally dry conditions to moderate drought conditions since early spring in many parts of the state. If dry conditions persist in specific areas of the state, the DNR might need to begin discussing water use restrictions with surface water appropriators in these counties. As the summer heats up, we realize that many of you also have electrical restrictions during peak load times.

 In the meantime, we are asking you to be extra vigilant with your water efficiency and to be observant of your neighbors’ drinking water supplies. Over 500 irrigators voluntarily completed the 2020 Water Conservation Report. These are the top water conservation measures being implemented by your fellow irrigators:

Maintenance

•       Leak detection and repair

•       Off-peak irrigating

•       Test sprinkler application rates and uniformity

•       Install Variable Frequency Drive pumps

Moisture Monitoring

•       Regular scouting crops for moisture

•       Rain gauges installed -3 or more per field

•       Soil testing for water holding capacity

Irrigation Scheduling

•       Checkbook Method

•       Crop-based irrigation scheduling method

•       Plant-based

Equipment Efficiency

•       47% report using center pivots – 41% use low pressure center pivots

•       47% can shut off water to unused areas, and 41% have end-gun management

•       42% have new or better nozzles and 34% have low volume/pressure nozzles

•       26% have a variable rate distribution system installed with speed control, zone control, or both

Plant and Soil Management to Save Water

•       Crop rotation – using some crops with lower water needs

•       Use drought tolerant/ lower water-use seed

•       Use a soil test to determine fertilizer needs

•       Regularly scout crops, follow Integrated Pest Management and Best Management Practices

•       Regularly work to improve soil health – cover crops, improve organic matter

The full Irrigation Water Conservation Report will be available later this summer on our Water Conservation webpage. The University of Minnesota has excellent crop irrigation information.

Also, please alert your local DNR hydrologists to any water supply concerns or issues during the summer.

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