Minnesota state legislators are continuing to debate the issue of mowing in ditch right of ways. State Soybean Growers Association Director of Public Affairs Joe Smentek says one piece of legislation is moving that would allow farmers to mow the ditch right of ways without permits. He says there are also discussions on possible compromises.

He says his group is working with other groups and individuals to find the best way to move forward on mowing these areas.

Smentek says it’s not an easy issue to settle because in some cases the state owns the right of way and in others, farmers have ownership.

The whole issue surfaced in southwest Minnesota hen the State Department of Transportation came up with some permit rules that producers would need to obey before they could mow. That occurred after farmers had been allowed to mow without any regulations for many years.