Prevent Manure Runoff

Prepare for Winter Now

Avoid extra costs, labor, stress and legal bills that can come with overtopped manure storage structures and spills. Take steps this fall to make sure you have the manure storage capacity you need to get through the winter.

DNR, DATCP, UW-Extension, NRCS and the Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin (PNAAW) are teaming up to reach producers with important reminders aimed at keeping Wisconsin citizens, waters and farms healthy.

Farmers - hear what you can do:

• Mike Austin  [AUDIO Length :58] urges you to act now to prevent manure runoff later.
• Pam Jahnke (the Farm Babe) [AUDIO Length :60] has an important reminder - see more on her website
• Bob Bosold  [AUDIO Length :55] spreads the message on WAXX (Eau Claire).

Empty Your Manure Storage Structure

Watch weather forecasts daily for predictions of rain and melting snow that could result in runoff and avoid spreading manure during these times.

• Type in your farm's location for current and future weather forecasts at the National Weather Service [exit DNR]

If your farm is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) that's required to have a wastewater discharge permit, follow your permit restrictions on when and where you can spread. Follow CAFO Winter Spreading Restrictions [PDF 45KB]

Plant Fall Cover Crops

• Reduce nutrient losses and prevent erosion by planting fall cover crops. Learn about some cover crop options [exit DNR]

Develop a Nutrient Management Plan

Start working now with your local county Land Conservation or DNR staff to develop a nutrient management plan. You'll keep fertilizer costs down by better managing manure, better protect your land and water and meet environmental laws.

• Wisconsin Agriculture Department (DATCP) Nutrient management planning [exit DNR]
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Nutrient Management [exit DNR]

Develop a Winter Spreading Plan

A winter spreading plan is part of a good nutrient management plan, but if you can't get the full plan done in time, make sure you get a game plan for winter spreading, especially if you have limited storage.

• Ask your county Land Conservation Department to help you get started: 2008-2010 DATCP Land and Water Conservation Directory [exit DNR]
• Use "NRCS 590 Nutrient Application Restriction Maps" tab at the new Wisconsin Manure Advisory System [exit DNR] to identify which of your fields have the highest risk of runoff and avoid spreading on them.

Learn more about the runoff prevention campaign

Prevent Manure Runoff Events

Hear why Belleville farmer Steve Haak urges all farmers to develop a manure management plan.

• Farmer advocates manure plan [AUDIO Length :23]

Watch weather forecasts daily and if they predict rain and snowmelt that could result in manure run off, avoid spreading manure during these times. Waiting until it's less risky to spread will keep this valuable fertilizer on your land, protect your well water, and keep lakes and rivers clean.

• Type in your farm's location for current and future weather forecasts at the National Weather Service [exit DNR]

If your farm is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, or CAFO, that's required to have a wastewater discharge permit, you must follow restrictions on when and where you can spread manure.

• CAFO Winter Spreading Restrictions [PDF 45KB]

What to Do If You Must Empty Your Manure Pit

If you can't hold off spreading until weather conditions are drier and less risky, there are options for handling your manure while decreasing the chance of runoff.

Contact Your County Land Conservation Agent

Call your county Land Conservation Department, certified agronomist or manure hauler to help identify alternatives to spreading, such as stacking the manure away from fields near lakes or rivers.

• 2008-2010 Land and Water Conservation Directory [exit DNR]

If You Must Spread, Identify High Risk Fields and Avoid Them

If you have no alternative to spreading, stay away from fields whose location, slope, and other factors increase the chance that manure will run off them or be carried into surface water or groundwater.

• Avoid spreading on fields that are near drinking water wells or that have sinkholes or exposed bedrock.
• Ask your county Land Conservation Department to help you identify high risk fields on your property and do not spread on them: 2008-2010 Land and Water Conservation Directory [exit DNR]
• View online maps that show which of your fields are more risky to spread on and avoid them: Nutrient Application Restriction Maps [exit DNR]

Know Who to Call, Steps To Take If Runoff Occurs

Learn the state hotline you are required to call immediately if a manure spill or runoff occurs 1-800-943-003 and take the time to think about, and write down, the steps you will take if runoff occurs to contain the manure and minimize the damage. These emergency response plans from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are good guides.

• NRCS Emergency Response Plan [PDF 52KB]
• DATCP Example Plan [PDF 48KB]

Check Your Well Water After Manure Runoff

If manure runoff occurs on your farm, testing your well water can help you assure your family is drinking safe water. Manure runoff can seep into the ground and reach the groundwater that supplies your well, particularly if your fields have sinkholes or exposed bedrock.

• Test your wellwater

Get Your Plan in Place for Next Year

Start working with your local county conservation or Natural Resources Conservation Service agent to develop a nutrient management plan. You'll save money by better managing your manure to decrease your fertilizer costs and better protect your land and water and meet environmental laws.

• Watch this University Extension video to learn more about how to avoid and respond to manure spills [VIDEO Length 18:36]
• Nutrient management planning [exit DNR]
• NRCS Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning [exit DNR]

More Resources

• Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection [exit DNR]
• UW-Extension Agriculture Programs [exit DNR]
• Discovery Farms [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin NRCS [exit DNR]
• Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin [exit DNR]