The spring-like weather in Wisconsin has prompted the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources to urge livestock farmers in the state to refrain from spreading manure in the coming days. The above freezing temperatures, snow melt and possibility of rain could cause some runoff problems which not only threatens waterways but takes those nutrients away from your farm.
If you do need to spread, the agencies advise:
- Do not spread manure on fields where their location and slope presents a high risk of manure running off. View online maps showing high risk fields through the Manure Management Advisory System (MMAS) – Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection. Contact your County Land Conservation Department, certified agronomist or manure hauler to help find alternatives or to identify fields with the lowest risk of runoff.
- Monitor weather forecasts and avoid spreading if rain or snowmelt conditions are predicted.
- Apply manure on fields with little or no snow cover if possible. Contact with soil reduces the risk of runoff as does incorporation into the soil if conditions allow.
- Avoid fields that are near drinking water wells or that have sinkholes or exposed bedrock to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.
Even if these precautions are followed, runoff events may still occur. Minimize the impact by immediately reporting the runoff to the 24-hour spill hotline: 1-800-943-0003.
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