by Kim Kilpatrick
October 8, 2009 7:08 AM
According to State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, as reported in October 7’s Wisconsin Ag Connection (www.wisconsinagconnection.com), which is one of the United State’s largest online agricultural news networks, close to one-half of all of Wisconsin’s dairy producers use storage and liquid manure spreading systems to efficiently manage their manure. Both Wisconsin’s agriculture and natural resource officials are recommending these dairy farmers take preventative manure handling measures "sooner rather than later" to avoid potentially costly cleanups if corners are cut to reduce expenses. However, many of these farmers are already strapped, due to lower milk prices; therefore, they are opting to delay their storage emptying requirements, which could mean an increased risk of manure spills and other problems.
In the end, delaying or avoiding the timely emptying of these storage units can be quite expensive when all costs – including the added stress and labor – are factored in. An overtopped storage structure resulting in lake and stream runoff is a real consequence of delaying the emptying of these storage facilities.
Cost estimates from the University of Wisconsin-Extension show that the expenses associated with agitating, hauling, and incorporating manure into farm fields ranges from $100-$250 per cow per year. For an 87-cow herd (Wisconsin's average dairy farm size), that could total almost $21,000 annually.
Meanwhile, the DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, responsible for food safety, animal and plant health, protecting water and soil and monitoring fair and safe business practices) is joining with the Department of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin to connect with these dairy producers and remind them of the importance in taking the proper and necessary steps in managing their manure.
In preparation for this outreach, this group has also announced a manure spill response demonstration on October 14, sponsored by the Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin, Columbia County UW-Extension, Columbia County Land & Water Conservation, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' spills and runoff management programs at the NelDell Farm, near Wisconsin Dells. Staff members from these agencies will demonstrate various manure spill containment methods, review reporting requirements, and will address questions that attendees may have.