Author: Jane Frankenberger, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Purdue University and Rick Koelsch, Livestock Environmental Engineer, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska
Manure is more likely to move through the soil to groundwater or tile drains, or over the land through surface runoff, when soil is wet. It sounds as if this is a trade-off that should be carefully considered, and the risks of movement to water weighed against the potential benefits of this approach.
The most recent federal CAFO regulations require monitoring of precipitation for a period of 24 hours before to 24 hours after land application of manure. The intent of this requirement is to avoid application of manure on saturated soils due to a recent rain or anticipated rain. Nutrients and pathogen movement to surface water and tile lines is more likely under these circumstances. The proposed BMPs for reduced air emissions are likely to be at odds with water quality objectives.
