ST. PAUL  — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is making $1 million in grant funding available to livestock producers for on-farm improvements that help them stay competitive.

The 237 Livestock Investment Grant recipients to date have invested an estimated $75 million in upgrades to their operations since the program began in 2008.

Qualifying producers can get reimbursed 10 percent of the first $500,000 of their investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction or improvement of facilities for the production of livestock, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment.

Producers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters may also apply. The grants don’t pay for livestock or land purchases or for debt refinancing.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 21, 2014.