Hutchinson Leader, MN
02-21-07
Conference examines renewable energy, livestock industry
Submitted by Terry Davis
Representatives from some of the state’s major farm organizations will gather Friday, Feb. 23, in Willmar for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s sixth annual Strategic Animal Ag Conference.
This year’s theme is “Minnesota’s Renewable Energy and Livestock Industries: Can they co-exist?”
On the agenda in the morning are Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap and Farmers Union President Doug Peterson. Erik Osmon, general manager of Bushmills Ethanol near Atwater, and Chippewa Valley Ethanol General Manager Bill Lee, will talk about the growth and direction of Minnesota’s renewable fuels.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been invited to speak at 10:35. He is to be followed by Dr. Gerald Shurson, an animal science professor at the University of Minnesota, who will speak about the key to hat sells distillers grains, and by Dr. Dermot Hayes of Iowa State University, who will look at renewable fuels’ effect on the livestock industry.
The afternoon session will include Rob Sip of the Department of Agriculture, introducing panelists on the topic of “Proactive Livestock Siting.” Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Wayne Anderson will review regulations, while U of M professor Larry D. Jacobson will speak on how to use odor modeling in the siting of animal production units. Eric Hedtke, an attorney with the Minnesota Association of Townships will address how townships can adapt to transitions with farm and urban development. Ag Commission Gene Hugoson is scheduled to present closing remarks at 2:40 p.m.
The event takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, 2100 State Highway 12 E. The cost is $45 at the door. For more information e-mail .
(Terry Davis is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at )