Manure applied to cropland during the winter months (December 1 - March 31) can pose serious runoff threats to both surface water and groundwater. Snow-covered or frozen croplands may not allow for manure to be properly incorporated into the soil, resulting in manure runoff during thaws.
All applicators/landowners that land apply animal waste during the winter within Brown County are required to obtain a winter spreading plan from the Brown County Land & Water Conservation Department.
The following policies must be met to qualify for either of these Permits:
- A nutrient management plan for your farm is required for all winter manure application or stacking permits.
- Farms with adequate winter storage are only eligible for a winter spreading permit under emergency circumstances.
- Fields where significant runoff events have occurred in the past will not be permitted for winter manure applications.
- If your farm is permitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a CAFO, you are required to follow the DNR winter spreading/stacking guidelines.
- All winter spreading plans/permits will detail where and how much manure (tons or gallons) is allowed to be applied.
- A manure spreading log is supplied with each spreading permit for you to record each manure application.
- Winter spreading is not permitted during periods of active runoff.
- If you wish to stack manure, a separate manure stacking permit is required.
- A winter spreading permit is guidance for applying manure in areas least likely to result in contaminated runoff. Contaminated runoff is always the responsibility of the party who applied the manure. Failure to follow the conditions of this permit and/or contaminated runoff may result in enforcement action which may include a citation.
