Walz waives MN trucking regulations

Governor Tim Walz is waiving trucking regulations for Minnesota livestock producers transporting hay and other forage.

DNR’s most current drought monitor data shows that 72 percent of Minnesota is in severe drought (level D2), including 19 percent in extreme drought (level D3).

The drought has resulted in a decrease of approximately 10,000 acres of harvestable hay and will require farmers and livestock producers to travel farther distances to obtain hay and forage needed to feed their livestock.

The USDA announced a primary agricultural disaster designation for 14 counties in Minnesota due to increasingly severe drought conditions across the state.  Under this disaster designation, producers in 21 contiguous counties also qualify for benefits.

In issuing the waiver Walz stated “When Minnesota’s farmers are struggling…all of Minnesota is struggling.”