The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) is extremely disappointed to learn on July 31, 2025 that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is increasing its permit application fees for feedlots by 48% and 56%, effective Aug. 1. As a result of this new policy proposal, the cost of processing and raising livestock is certain to increase.
“As we prepare for the 2025 Farmfest, with the ag economy mired in a recession, we’re disheartened to hear this news, as it will add another burden to farmers without adding any regulatory certainty,” said Joe Smentek, executive director of MSGA. “An additional layer disappointment is farmers can’t expect any better service because the Legislature is charged with appropriating these funds.”
Earlier in July 2025, the MPCA held more than a dozen feedlot rulemaking meetings across the state; a pending increase was never discussed, nor did discussions around the fee increase arise during the 2025 legislative session. Although the feedlot fee hasn’t been increased since 2010, the timing of the announcement is less than ideal.
Per the new proposal, water application fees will be increased from $310 to $485 and air application fees jump from $285 to $400.
MSGA Director Brad Hovel attended a rulemaking meeting in Zumbrota and says he was dismayed to hear of the proposed increase as news trickled among the ag community just hours before the fee was expected to be enacted.
“As a family farmer and livestock producer, this news is extremely frustrating and just another instance of MPCA moving the goalposts,” said Hovel, who raises crops, beef cattle and pork in Goodhue County. “Although livestock markets are healthy, margins are still thin for contract growers. It’s a real kick in the teeth, frankly, and shows how out of touch the MPCA is with the realities of the ag economy.”
MSGA will continue monitoring the situation and defending the interests of of its members and the state’s agriculture industry, which contributes nearly 25% toward the state’s GDP.
“We’re working with our farm advocacy coalition partners to urge the Walz administration to reconsider this misguided fee,” MSGA President Darin Johnson said. “We’re standing up for our family farmers, our members, our livelihoods and our communities.”
