Reference Documents
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Check weather forecast prior to manure application
It is important to check and print the weather forecast prior to any manure application. The weather forecast can be found at www.weather.gov and then type in your zip code. You should keep the printed weather forecast with your other manure application records, such as application rate, source, etc.
Remember, if there is greater than a 50% chance of rainfall of more than 1/2-inch forecast within 24 hours, manure application is not recommended. More information about NRCS Standard 590 (Nutrient Management) can be found by clicking here.
Remember, if there is greater than a 50% chance of rainfall of more than 1/2-inch forecast within 24 hours, manure application is not recommended. More information about NRCS Standard 590 (Nutrient Management) can be found by clicking here.
Summer Stockpiling
If you are considering stockpiling manure this summer, choosing the right location and following best management practices can decrease the chance of polluting waters of the state. Please note, stockpiling is not a substitute for adequate manure storage, but can be used when conditions are not suitable for land application.
Manure stockpiles must be solid manure with bedding (minimum of 20% solids) or dry poultry manure and should be located in or near the field that the manure is to be applied. Stockpiles cannot be stored for more than 8 months. It is recommended that a 100-foot temporary vegetative buffer be placed around the pile if the manure will be stockpiled for more than 4 months. Also consider covering the manure, to minimize leachate from rainfall or snow.
The stockpile should be located on soils that are deep to bedrock (greater than 40 inches) and not on soils with rapid or very rapid permeability. They should not be located in areas that occasionally or frequently flood, on hydric soils or on slopes greater than 6%.
Recommended minimum setback distances for manure stockpiles include:
Stockpiles should be inspected after rain events of ½-inch or more to check for leachate ponding or runoff. They should also be monitored for flies, beetles and other pests if stored longer than one week.
Records should be kept for each stockpile and include:
Manure stockpile requirements are defined in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Waste Utilization Standard 633 available at www.darkeswcd.com. Please note, other regulations may apply to manure originating from ODA permitted facilities or handled by ODA certified livestock managers. For more information on manure management, please contact the Darke SWCD office at 937.548.1752.
Manure stockpiles must be solid manure with bedding (minimum of 20% solids) or dry poultry manure and should be located in or near the field that the manure is to be applied. Stockpiles cannot be stored for more than 8 months. It is recommended that a 100-foot temporary vegetative buffer be placed around the pile if the manure will be stockpiled for more than 4 months. Also consider covering the manure, to minimize leachate from rainfall or snow.
The stockpile should be located on soils that are deep to bedrock (greater than 40 inches) and not on soils with rapid or very rapid permeability. They should not be located in areas that occasionally or frequently flood, on hydric soils or on slopes greater than 6%.
Recommended minimum setback distances for manure stockpiles include:
- 75 ft. from overhead or buried utilities
- 500 ft. from residences
- 300 ft. from private wells
- 300 ft. from ponds and lakes
- 300 ft. from streams, grassed waterways, and field surface drains
- 300 ft. from tile inlet or broken tile
- 1500 ft. from any public surface drinking water intakes.
Stockpiles should be inspected after rain events of ½-inch or more to check for leachate ponding or runoff. They should also be monitored for flies, beetles and other pests if stored longer than one week.
Records should be kept for each stockpile and include:
- Location map of the stockpile
- Date and volume of stockpile
- Nitrogen & phosphorus content of the manure
- Date(s) the stockpile was inspected (after rainfall and for pests)
- Date stockpile was land applied and the number of acres applied to
Manure stockpile requirements are defined in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Waste Utilization Standard 633 available at www.darkeswcd.com. Please note, other regulations may apply to manure originating from ODA permitted facilities or handled by ODA certified livestock managers. For more information on manure management, please contact the Darke SWCD office at 937.548.1752.
Guidelines for Summer Manure Application
As part of Darke Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) commitment to outreach on the Ohio agricultural pollution abatement program, we are continuing our series of monthly articles on agricultural topics. Be on the lookout for future columns from Darke SWCD staff on manure storage, cover crops, nutrient management plans and other related topics. All articles will be released to local media and available online at www.darkeswcd.com.
Darke SWCD staff would like to engage the county in a conversation on environmental stewardship. This series of articles will provide farmers with information to help them protect water quality. Additionally non-farming community members can learn what farmers are doing and can do to protect water quality in our lakes, rivers and streams. This month’s article focuses on best management practices for summer manure applications.
As wheat harvest approaches, Darke SWCD staff encourages livestock producers and farm operators to be attentive when applying manure on local fields. From social media to increasing public awareness about livestock facilities and issues with some lakes and rivers throughout Ohio, farmers are under increasing scrutiny especially when handling manure.
If you are considering applying liquid manure this summer, it is recommended that you use light tillage to disrupt soil cracks and worm holes that may lead directly to field tile prior to application. Using a tillage tool that mixes the top 3-5 inches of soil can disrupt and close these preferential flow paths and allow better absorption of liquid manure. Also, broken tiles and suck holes should be repaired prior to application. Do not apply application rates that would exceed ½ inch per acre or approximately 13,500 gallons/acre per application and adjust application rates to avoid ponding or runoff based on field and/or soil conditions. In addition, use tile plugs or tile flow control structures to plug all outlets from the application area prior to application. This can inhibit a potential discharge if an unexpected downpour occurs in your area.
Prior to applying any type of manure this summer, print off a copy of the weather forecast and file it with other documentation such as application rates and dates. The National Weather Service provides the forecast for each zip code for 7 days and is available at www.weather.gov. Nutrients from any source (manure or commercial fertilizer) must not be surface applied if there is a greater than 50% chance of rainfall of more than ½ inch within 24 hours. Keeping this documentation on file allows you to prove the forecasted weather conditions in case of unexpected downpours.
Recommended setbacks for surface application of manure are:
• 100 ft. from residences and private wells down slope from the application area
• 100 ft. from ponds and lakes with a minimum of 35 ft. of permanent vegetative buffer
• 100 ft. from streams, ditches and surface inlets; 35 ft. if a vegetative barrier is present
• 35 ft. from grassed waterways and field surface drains
• 300 ft. from public wells, a public surface drinking water intake and upslope from developed springs
Recommended minimum setback distances for direct injection or incorporation of manure within 24 hours:
• 100 ft. from residences and private wells down slope from the application area
• 100 ft. from ponds and lakes with a minimum of 35 ft. of permanent vegetative buffer
• No setback from streams, ditches and surface inlets
• No setback from grassed waterways and field surface drains
• 100 ft. from public wells
• 300 ft. from a public surface drinking water intake and upslope from developed springs
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Practice Standard 590 outlines recommendations for land application of manure. Standard 590 is available at www.darkeswcd.com/agriculture-pollution-abatement.html. By following these guidelines, farmers can protect the environment and improve sustainability. For more information about manure management, please contact the Darke SWCD office at 937.548.1752.
Darke SWCD staff would like to engage the county in a conversation on environmental stewardship. This series of articles will provide farmers with information to help them protect water quality. Additionally non-farming community members can learn what farmers are doing and can do to protect water quality in our lakes, rivers and streams. This month’s article focuses on best management practices for summer manure applications.
As wheat harvest approaches, Darke SWCD staff encourages livestock producers and farm operators to be attentive when applying manure on local fields. From social media to increasing public awareness about livestock facilities and issues with some lakes and rivers throughout Ohio, farmers are under increasing scrutiny especially when handling manure.
If you are considering applying liquid manure this summer, it is recommended that you use light tillage to disrupt soil cracks and worm holes that may lead directly to field tile prior to application. Using a tillage tool that mixes the top 3-5 inches of soil can disrupt and close these preferential flow paths and allow better absorption of liquid manure. Also, broken tiles and suck holes should be repaired prior to application. Do not apply application rates that would exceed ½ inch per acre or approximately 13,500 gallons/acre per application and adjust application rates to avoid ponding or runoff based on field and/or soil conditions. In addition, use tile plugs or tile flow control structures to plug all outlets from the application area prior to application. This can inhibit a potential discharge if an unexpected downpour occurs in your area.
Prior to applying any type of manure this summer, print off a copy of the weather forecast and file it with other documentation such as application rates and dates. The National Weather Service provides the forecast for each zip code for 7 days and is available at www.weather.gov. Nutrients from any source (manure or commercial fertilizer) must not be surface applied if there is a greater than 50% chance of rainfall of more than ½ inch within 24 hours. Keeping this documentation on file allows you to prove the forecasted weather conditions in case of unexpected downpours.
Recommended setbacks for surface application of manure are:
• 100 ft. from residences and private wells down slope from the application area
• 100 ft. from ponds and lakes with a minimum of 35 ft. of permanent vegetative buffer
• 100 ft. from streams, ditches and surface inlets; 35 ft. if a vegetative barrier is present
• 35 ft. from grassed waterways and field surface drains
• 300 ft. from public wells, a public surface drinking water intake and upslope from developed springs
Recommended minimum setback distances for direct injection or incorporation of manure within 24 hours:
• 100 ft. from residences and private wells down slope from the application area
• 100 ft. from ponds and lakes with a minimum of 35 ft. of permanent vegetative buffer
• No setback from streams, ditches and surface inlets
• No setback from grassed waterways and field surface drains
• 100 ft. from public wells
• 300 ft. from a public surface drinking water intake and upslope from developed springs
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Practice Standard 590 outlines recommendations for land application of manure. Standard 590 is available at www.darkeswcd.com/agriculture-pollution-abatement.html. By following these guidelines, farmers can protect the environment and improve sustainability. For more information about manure management, please contact the Darke SWCD office at 937.548.1752.