The Dairy Best Management Practices Loan Program provides a source of low interest financing for managing dairy and milking parlor waste and manure in an environmentally sound and cost effective manner. These loans help dairy farmers implement best management practices on their farms to reduce the potential for pollution from their farming operations.

This program is managed jointly by the Financial Assistance Branch, the Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and the State's Conservation Districts. Eligibility is open to any dairy producer with a producer or supplier contract with one of the following dairy cooperatives or milk processors that participates in the loan program:

• Land O' Lakes
• Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

Financing is available at an interest rate of 3%, for 1 to 10 years, with a minimum loan of $5,000 and a maximum loan of $100,000, for the following dairy waste and manure management practices:

• Waste management systems where costs are not covered by state and/or federal cost-share.
• Manure spreaders, pumps, agitators, pipes, hoses and associated fittings and hardware used for transferring liquid and/or semi-solid dairy/heifer/calve manure and milkhouse waste to and from waste storage ponds, waste storage structures, and waste treatment lagoons for temporary storage and for application on to cropland.
• Irrigation equipment as part of a complete dairy waste management system for the purpose of spray irrigating wastes.