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County Executive Falk Urges Farmers to Halt Manure Application

March 07, 2006
Lesley Sillaman, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

Predicted Weather Conditions are Ideal for Manure Runoff Madison – Today, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk advised farmers and manure haulers not to apply liquid manure on cropland for the next 10 days. The weather forecast is predicting higher temperatures and possible thunderstorms that could result in the manure spread on the snow covered and frozen fields to run off. “This week’s forecasted warmer temperatures and rain make liquid manure spreading dangerous for the health of our lakes and streams,” said Falk. “Please contact us if you are a farmer who needs to spread manure during this time.” Conditions were similar last year when major runoff events caused fish kills and nutrient loading to area lakes and streams, including a fish kill on the West Branch Sugar River, which had recently celebrated its removal from the State’s impaired waters list. As a result, County Executive Falk and Lakes and Watershed Chair Brett Hulsey appointed the Dane County Manure Spreading Task Force, that recommended new regulations that require agriculture producers to obtain a county permit before applying stored, pumpable liquid manure on frozen or snow-covered ground. The Dane County Board passed the regulations on December 1, 2005, and has been working with farmers to implement them this winter. If you need to spread in the next 10 days contact Dane County Land Conservation Division for manure spreading guidelines. Conservation specialists will work with farmers to identify fields that are best for spreading. Failure to comply with the county’s spreading regulations can result in fines. For more information please contact Pat Sutter, Dane County Conservationist at 224-3730. **County Executive Falk will be available for interviews this afternoon. Please call Lesley Sillaman at 267-8823 if interested. # # #
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