The annual winter manure spreading ban begins on Sunday, December 15 and lastsuntil Tuesday, April 1 – a full 107 days. This ban on spreading manure or other agricultural waste through the winter months is designed to protect water quality. The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) also prohibit manure spreading on saturated, frozen, or snow-covered ground at any time.
The best thing you can do to be prepared for the spreading ban is to spread your manure when conditions are right, prior to December 15th. Ideal conditions for spreading are dry conditions before the snow falls when soils are non-saturated.
If you anticipate having a manure storage issue after the December 15th spreading ban goes into effect, please contact Laura DiPietro for assistance with manure management options at 802-595-1990. The earlier you reach out, the more time there is to engage in a solution.