MDA reminds livestock farmers to apply for investment grants

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota livestock farmers should apply now to take advantage of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Investment Grants. The program has $1 million in grant funding available to eligible livestock producers to offset the costs of on-farm improvements.

Qualifying producers would be reimbursed ten percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction, or improvement of buildings or facilities for the production of livestock, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment. Producers who suffered a loss due to a natural disaster or unintended consequence may also apply. The grant will not pay for livestock or land purchases or for the cost of debt refinancing.

Minnesota livestock producers who applied for but did not receive a grant in past years will need to reapply to be considered for the 2013 program.

The deadline to apply for the grant program is September 23, 2013. Applications and more information on the Minnesota Livestock Investment Program can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/livestockinvestmentgrant.