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Guidelines for
Summer Manure Application
Darke County- As wheat harvest approaches, Darke SWCD staff encourages
livestock producers and farm operators to be attentive when applying
manure on local fields. From social media to increasing public
awareness about livestock facilities and issues with some lakes and
rivers throughout Ohio, farmers are under increasing scrutiny
especially when handling manure.
If you are considering applying liquid manure this summer, it is
recommended that you use light tillage to disrupt soil cracks and worm
holes that may lead directly to field tile prior to application. Using
a tillage tool that mixes the top 3-5 inches of soil can disrupt and
close these preferential flow paths and allow better absorption of
liquid manure. Also, broken tiles and suck holes should be repaired
prior to application. Do not apply application rates that would exceed
½ inch per acre or approximately 13,500 gallons/acre per application
and adjust application rates to avoid ponding or runoff based on field
and/or soil conditions. In addition, use tile plugs or tile flow
control structures to plug all outlets from the application area prior
to application. This can inhibit a potential discharge if an unexpected
downpour occurs in your area.
Prior to applying any type of manure this summer, print off a copy of
the weather forecast and file it with other documentation such as
application rates and dates. The National Weather Service provides the
forecast for each zip code for 7 days and is available at
www.weather.gov. Nutrients from any source (manure or commercial
fertilizer) must not be surface applied if there is a greater than 50%
chance of rainfall of more than ½ inch within 24 hours. Keeping this
documentation on file allows you to prove the forecasted weather
conditions in case of unexpected downpours.
Recommended setbacks for surface application of manure are:
• 100 ft. from residences and private wells
down slope from the application area
• 100 ft. from ponds and lakes with a minimum
of 35 ft. of permanent vegetative buffer
• 100 ft. from streams, ditches and surface
inlets; 35 ft. if a vegetative barrier is present
• 35 ft. from grassed waterways and field
surface drains
• 300 ft. from public wells, a public surface
drinking water intake and upslope from developed springs
Recommended minimum setback distances for direct injection or
incorporation of manure within 24 hours:
• 100 ft. from residences and private wells
down slope from the application area
• 100 ft. from ponds and lakes with a minimum
of 35 ft. of permanent vegetative buffer
• No setback from streams, ditches and surface
inlets
• No setback from grassed waterways and field
surface drains
• 100 ft. from public wells
• 300 ft. from a public surface drinking water
intake and upslope from developed springs
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Practice
Standard 590 outlines recommendations for land application of manure.
Standard 590 is available at
www.darkeswcd.com/agriculture-pollution-abatement.html. By following
these guidelines, farmers can protect the environment and improve
sustainability. For more information about manure management, please
contact the Darke SWCD office at 937.548.1752.
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