By Andi Anderson
With colder weather, Ohio livestock producers may need to apply manure on frozen ground. Winter manure application must adhere to strict regulations to ensure safety and protect water resources.
Permitted farms are prohibited from applying manure in winter unless in extreme emergencies, where temporary storage is often the preferred solution. In the Grand Lake St.
Marys watershed, a ban on winter manure application runs from December 15 to March 1. Similarly, the Western Lake Erie Basin follows rules under House Bill 1, established in 2016.
Statewide, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Code 590 governs winter manure application, allowing it only in emergencies. Farmers must meet the following criteria for liquid manure application:
Limit application to 5,000 gallons/acre or P removal for the next crop.
Apply to areas with at least 90% surface residue cover.
Restrict application to 20 contiguous acres with 200-foot breaks.
Avoid slopes exceeding 6% without contour strip applications.
Maintain setback distances of 200 feet from waterways and 300 feet from wells and drinking water sources.
For solid manure, stockpiling is an option. Short-term stockpiles, as outlined in NRCS 318, are temporary and must be located where manure will later be applied. Long-term storage follows NRCS 313 standards, which require permanent facilities with runoff prevention measures.
Farmers unable to meet these requirements must explore alternative storage options or schedule spring applications when soils are no longer frozen.
These guidelines aim to minimize nutrient runoff, protect water quality, and ensure compliance with Ohio’s agricultural standards. For more details, visit local NRCS or Ohio Department of Agriculture offices.
Categories: Ohio, Rural Lifestyle