McDonell Issues Warning on Manure Runoff

December 29, 2010
Topf Wells, 266-9069

Acting Dane County Executive Scott McDonell urged all agricultural producers who apply manure on frozen or snow-covered cropland to use caution as temperatures are forecasted to reach into the 40’s over the next three days.  The warmer temperature along with the likelihood of rain creates ideal conditions for manure runoff that has proven to be very detrimental to our streams and lakes in past years.

McDonell said:  “Our farmers are great stewards of our lands and waters.  But manure runoff is serious and can cause devastating fish kills.  We’re asking everyone who manages manure to be extra careful over the next few days so we can avoid a serious runoff problem.”

Both solid and liquid manure applied during the winter months can pose serious runoff threats to surface waters when fast snow melts occur.  This year’s heavy snow cover coupled with frozen ground conditions puts Dane County at risk of having such a manure runoff event. 

Producers applying liquid manure on frozen, snow covered or ice covered cropland in Dane County are required to follow the conditions stated in a winter spreading permit obtained from the Dane County Land Conservation Division.  As an alternative to spreading, producers are encouraged to temporarily stacking solid manure and delay spreading liquid manure until weather conditions become less risky for runoff events.

For further questions, please contact the Dane County Land Conservation Division at 224-3730.

 

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