Protecting water quality would be a lot easier if farmers never needed to apply manure when fields are frozen or covered with snow. But the fact is, some farmers don’t have enough storage capacity to get through the winter.  Sometimes, even farmers with storage facilities need to apply manure in the winter because wet fall weather or other problems delayed application.

Unfortunately, uncooperative winter weather can lead to pollution, even for farmers who follow winter manure application guidelines. Last winter, for example, a quick thaw led to a rash of pollution complaints in early March. Manure applied earlier in the winter had remained frozen in fields for weeks or even months, but after the thaw surface flow carried it into streams.

To guard against such problems, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has revised the standard for application of manure on frozen and snow-covered soils. The new 633 standard can be found on the NRCS website. The 633 standard will significantly reduce the risk of pollution problems, but winter application can still be risky. The criteria in the standard indicates that application to frozen or snow covered soil is not recommended, however if application becomes necessary due to storage limitations, then only limited quantities of manure should be applied according to the 633 standard.

The 633 standard includes six criteria and all six must be followed to comply with the standard. The requirements include a 200-foot setback from waterways and streams, at least 90 percent surface residue cover, and specific application rate limits depending on manure moisture content. Manure should not be applied on more than 20 contiguous acres and additional criteria apply for fields with slopes greater than six percent.

 Although some other states have prohibited manure application to frozen or snow-covered ground, it’s still permitted under very careful management in Ohio. Ohio may be at risk of losing this ability if we continue to see pollution problems stemming from wintertime application of manure. To protect this option, farmers need to guard water quality by minimizing winter application and by following the standard when winter application is unavoidable. The Auglaize SWCD can offer suggestions to help you through the process.

For some farmers, adding storage capacity would help. Operations that produce significant amounts of manure and routinely apply in the winter months should start considering adding more storage. Others might need to manage application more carefully. For example, farmers might adjust crop rotations to open up application sites earlier in the fall. Those who must apply manure in the winter might reserve fields furthest from waterways for winter application.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state are trying to help producers meet important water quality protection standards, and in so doing, retain flexibility and options during the most challenging time of the year for many producers. If we lose this flexibility, many small producers will be forced to build storage structures they simply can’t afford.

 For more information about the new 633 application standard criteria, storage cost share funding or other manure management issues, contact the Auglaize SWCD at (419) 738-4016.

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