By Nina Gage, Vt Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
As the days grow shorter, Vermonters are getting ready for the long winter months, hoping barn roofs will last, and pipes won’t freeze. For farms, Winter is a season that comes with specific rules and management around manure and agricultural waste.
The winter manure spreading ban, first enacted in 1995, begins on Friday, December 15 and lasts until April 1. The ban on spreading manure or other agricultural waste through the winter months is designed to protect water quality during a time of year when spreading on frozen ground can lead to increased runoff potential from agricultural fields. It is a time when farmers must plan ahead to ensure their waste storage capacity can last through the winter months. Before December 15th, please remember the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) prohibit manure spreading on frozen and snow-covered ground.
If a farmer anticipates having an issue before the ban, or if frozen and snow-covered conditions occur prior to December 15, please contact Nate Sands for assistance with planning any manure storage drawdown at (802)-224-6850.
The spreading ban from December 15 to April 1 lasts 107 days. Additionally, Medium and Large Farm Operations are required by rule to have 180 days of waste storage capacity. That means that farmers need to ensure their manure storage is drawn down enough for the duration of the ban or they must be able to stack manure in a way that will not lead to water quality impacts.
We’d like to thank the many farmers who have already been proactively planning their waste storage needs and preparing for the December 15 – April 1 spreading ban.
Manure stacking of solid manure is a viable option for winter manure management. The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) outline specific standards and setbacks for manure stacking locations, such as 200 feet from the top of bank of surface water or a public or private water supply and 100 feet from any ditch or property boundary. When deciding where the best place for manure stacking, remember that manure cannot be stacked in an area that experiences annual flooding or on exposed bedrock. If you need assistance in finding an appropriate site for manure stacking don’t hesitate to reach out to the Agency for technical assistance at (802)-828-1702.
The Agency can also support farmers with planning for the winter spreading ban and ensuring sufficient manure storage capacity, or strategizing other options, through our Best Management Practices (BMP) program– call 802-828-2431 for more information.
Exemptions for winter manure spreading during the ban, or on frozen or snow covered ground, may be considered for emergency situations only, such as structural failure of a waste storage facility. If a farmer anticipates having an issue before or during the ban, please contact Nate Sands for assistance with planning winter manure management at (802)-224-6850.
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Manure stacking is a viable option for winter manure management.