Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has signed legislation placing a one-year moratorium on permit requirements for ditch mowing. Permits won’t be needed now until April of 2018. State Farmers Union Government Relations Director Thom Petersen says an interim group will study the issue to come up with recommendations for the state legislature.

He says by being able to mow those ditches, farmers are helping the state by controlling weeds.

Petersen says the state permit system for ditch mowing has been in place for years, but hasn’t been enforced. A recent executive order to improve pollinator habitat created part of the problem, leading to the need for the legislation.

Petersen says waiting until after August 1 not only creates a safety problem but it doesn’t allow farmers to get the best quality forage from mowing.