Business Details
29 Years
experience
Trusted Agricultural Engineering & Construction Services
Founded in 1997, Settje Agri-Services & Engineering has established itself as the Midwest's premier provider of livestock systems design, engineering, construction management, manure marketing, and environmental compliance. Our commitment to delivering unmatched engineering and design services to livestock producers remains unwavering, serving clients from integrated multinational operations to family-owned farms. Our diverse team of professional engineers, draftsmen, construction managers, agronomists, and specialists merges technology, design, and regulatory expertise to create innovative systems that set industry standards. Rooted in agricultural heritage, our culture reflects hands-on experience from family farms and feedlots, ensuring every solution aligns with real-world operational needs. We offer a complete suite of services, including turnkey engineering, construction, environmental audits, compliance services, and manure marketing, serving over 1,500 livestock producers globally. Our engineers and designers focus on cattle feedlot and production facility design across the U.S., while our construction management team delivers cost-effective solutions through aggressive bidding processes.Our manure management services transform waste into valuable assets, providing agronomic planning and logistics for farmers and livestock producers. With over 400 years of combined experience, we prioritize customer ROI through sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. Our vision extends beyond facility designwe aim to shape global livestock production networks for future generations. Every project reflects our dedication to quality, continuity, and client satisfaction, ensuring facilities meet exact specifications and regulatory requirements.
Services
Engineering
Construction
Manure Management
Permitting & Compliance
Sustainability Services
Surveying
Water Resources
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We have over 400 years of combined experience in livestock facility design and engineering.
- Our team includes professional engineers and agricultural specialists with hands-on farm experience.
- We offer complete turnkey solutions from design to construction and compliance management.
- Our proprietary compliance system ensures environmental sustainability and regulatory adherence.
- We provide manure management services that maximize operational assets and reduce costs.
Services
Engineering
Our engineering team specializes in livestock facility design, combining agricultural expertise with civil and structural engineering to create efficient, code-compliant systems. We focus on operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term profitability for beef, dairy, swine, and poultry operations. With over 1,200 permits prepared, we deliver tailored solutions that meet specific client needs.
Construction
We provide turnkey construction services for livestock facilities, acting as General Contractor or Construction Manager. Our team ensures cost-effective project execution through competitive bidding, daily site management, and continuous engineering verification. Services include estimating, subcontractor coordination, and quality assurance from design to final completion.
Manure Management
Our manure management services convert livestock waste into valuable fertilizer assets. We offer agronomic planning, hauling logistics, and nutrient application strategies to reduce input costs for farmers while creating profit centers for producers. Annual marketing of over 1 million tons of manure supports sustainable agricultural practices across the Midwest.
Permitting & Compliance
We navigate complex state and federal permitting requirements for livestock facilities, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Our proprietary web-based system tracks pond levels, inspections, and nutrient management plans. Services include CAFO compliance, groundwater monitoring, and representation during regulatory inspections.
Sustainability Services
Our sustainability initiatives focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimizing resource use through anaerobic digester design, separation system audits, and GHG assessments. We help producers implement renewable energy projects and develop carbon credit programs while maintaining operational profitability.
People
Dean Settje
Founder and President
Dean founded Settje Agri-Services in 1997 after developing Nebraska's first environmental compliance program for livestock operations. With decades of regulatory affairs experience, he oversees strategic direction while maintaining hands-on involvement in key projects.
Steve Westerbuhr
Division Lead for Engineering
Steve leads engineering operations with over 25 years of experience in livestock facility design. His expertise includes feedlot, swine, and dairy projects, combining practical farm experience with technical engineering to deliver efficient, compliant solutions.
Travis Caspersen
Division Lead for Compliance and Manure Marketing
Travis manages compliance services and manure marketing programs. With a background in agricultural consulting and livestock operations, he developed our web-based compliance system and coordinates manure logistics for over 500 Midwest farmers.
Zach Settje
Chief Operating Officer
Zach oversees daily operations and international project development. His experience spans construction management, project design, and agribusiness strategy, ensuring seamless execution of global livestock facility projects from concept to completion.
Questions
What livestock facility services do you offer?
We provide engineering, construction, permitting, manure management, and sustainability services for beef, dairy, swine, and poultry operations nationwide.
How does your manure management program benefit farmers?
Our program reduces fertilizer costs for conventional farmers, creates profit centers for livestock producers, and provides agronomic planning for optimal nutrient application.
Can you assist with environmental compliance permits?
Yes, we handle state and federal permitting, groundwater monitoring, and compliance record-keeping through our proprietary web-based system.
Do you offer sustainability consulting for livestock operations?
We provide GHG assessments, anaerobic digester design, and carbon credit program development to help producers implement renewable energy initiatives.
What construction management options are available?
We act as General Contractor or Cost-Plus Construction Manager, offering competitive bidding, subcontractor coordination, and continuous quality assurance oversight.
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