Minnesota Farmers Union members met with State Department of Transportation Officials last week to talk about a compromise regarding the ditch mowing issue. Farmers Union’s Government Relations Director Thom Petersen says they’re working on legislation to delay any permit requirements for ditch mowing for another year.
He says it’s important for farmers to be able to mow ditches prior to August 1 to get the best quality forage.
Petersen says the status quo means farmers have been mowing ditches without any real enforcement of the August 1 rules by MNDOT.
Petersen says HF 4008 authored by Representative Chris Swedzinski would extend a temporary ditch mowing moratorium until April 30, 2019. The moratorium does not apply to right of way that is adjacent to public lands.
