4-1-14 manure run-off threat

State officials are warning farmers and the public there is a potentially high risk across the state for manure to pollute groundwater, streams, rivers and lakes.  Fond du Lac County Dairy and livestock agent Tina Coleman says the threat is due to melting snow and rainfall that could send soil and animal waste into streams.  Coleman says the state’s largest dairy farms with 700 or more cows will soon be heading into the fields to start spreading.  Coleman says CAFOs, or concentrated animal feeding operations are already

prohibited from spreading manure in February and March, except in emergencies.