MDA announces $1 million in farmer livestock grants

Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson has announced the recipients of the state’s second round of Livestock Investment Grants. Fifty producers were selected to share $1 million in grants aimed at boosting the state’s livestock sector.

“Livestock production and processing pumps $11.6 billion into our state’s economy and accounts for more than 38 percent of the state’s total agricultural income so it’s important to provide an incentive for livestock farmers to reinvest in their industry,” said Hugoson. “This grant program will help them stay competitive and ensure Minnesota remains one of the top ten states in livestock production.”

For this round of grants, 245 farmers applied for grants that would help offset their investments valued at $39 million. Over 800 livestock producers have applied for the grants since the program was launched in 2008.

The grantees include be- ginning farmers, as well as organic and traditional farmers. They are located across Minnesota and represent a variety of livestock species. Approved projects include renovation of milking facilities, barn upgrades, technology modernization, improved waste management systems and business transitions.

Among the 50 successful recipients are two Cass County farmers and one from Todd County.

Billy Haehnel from the Leader area in Cass County is a young beef farmer who will use the funds to improve pasture, facilities and equipment.

Daniel Martin is a young Pillager area dairy farmer who is making facility and equipment improvements.

Dennis Maus from Todd County, is a dairy producer who plans a new milkhouse, parlor and free stall barn rebuilt after a fire.

Among the list of the Livestock Investment Grant recipients were the following central Minnesota farmers including: (Name, county, species of livestock, and brief description of expenditures):

Ronald Cretea, Becker; Beef; Beginning farmer with diversified grazing operation with water and fencing upgrades.

Karen Haverinen; Becker; Dairy; Organic dairy farmer upgrades milk parlor following barn fire.

Mark Skroch; Benton; Dairy; Dairy expansion project that included free stall compost barn and double eight milking parlor.

Billy Haehnel; Cass; Beef; Young beef farmer improved pasture, facilities and equipment.

Daniel Martin; Cass; Dairy; Beginning dairy farmer making facility and equipment improvements.

Michael Roers; Douglas; Dairy; Built new dairy free stall barn and installed robotic milkers.

Robert Gruber; Morrison; Dairy; Beginning dairy farmer made equipment purchases and building improvements to facilitate environmental compliance.

Scherping Farms of Little Falls; Morrison; Dairy; New technology utilized, feed storage pad and changes facilitated generational transfer on dairy farm.

Jason Bauer Stearns; Dairy; Beginning dairy farmer remodeled facilities.

Carl Janssen; Stearns Dairy Dairy facility and milking equipment upgrades including pasture improvements.

Richard Kasper; Stearns; Dairy; Beginning dairy farmer installed new milkers, ventilation and lighting improvements.

Gary Reeck; Stearns; Dairy; Installed new bulk tank and improved feed handling facilities.

Lyle Schefers; Stearns; Dairy; Completion of new dry cow dairy barn and manure management system.

Anderson Farms; Stearns; Swine; Addition of new nursery and finishing swine facilities.

Dennis Mausl; Todd; Dairy; New milkhouse, parlor, and free stall barn rebuilt after fire.