Winter Weather Complicates Manure Application
Licking SWCD would like to encourage all livestock operators to follow best management practices (BMPs) and utilize best available technologies when applying manure.
Problems associated with the application of manure to frozen and/or snow covered ground usually come in the form of polluted runoff finding its way into waters of the State during thawing conditions.
As with all applications of nutrients in any form to the land, priority must be given to protecting the environment, particularly water quality. This can be accomplished by following the best management practices outlined in the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Waste Utilization Standard (#633). If followed, the Standard will significantly reduce the risk of pollution problems, but winter application can still be risky.
Additional Winter Manure Application Links:
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Waste Utilization Standard (#633)
Webcast on winter application of manure with Jeffery Lorimor, former Iowa State University extension manure management specialist and researcher. SOURCE: University of Nebraska
Ohio State Extension Environmental and Manure Management website
