Recent
heavy rains in southern Minnesota finds some livestock producers
scrambling to stem overflow from livestock manure storage basins. Pollution problems include overflowing
manure and wastewater storage structures and releases from underground and
above-ground storage tanks as well as open feedlots located in floodplains or
in sensitive areas where runoff can enter surface waters.
Farmers
must call the Minnesota Duty Officer immediately at (800) 422-0798 (calls answered 24/7) if their
manure-storage facilities overflow, if manure enters surface waters or if their
manure-storage structure is inundated by floodwaters. If their manure-storage facilities are in
danger of overflowing, farmers can contact the MPCA at (800) 657-3864 or (651)
296-6300 (during regular business hours) and ask for a feedlot staff person. Farmers
in feedlot delegated counties also may
contact county feedlot staff.
To
reduce the likelihood of an overflow, feedlot operators are encouraged to
divert water from manure-storage facilities if possible. Manure stockpiles located in areas that could
flood should be removed immediately.
While we can’t control weather,
planning ahead helps to better deal with the impact of bad weather on manure
management and land application. A little more investment in storage,
conservation practices, and planning can be a very cost-effective form of
insurance. It also reduces the risk of economic loss of nutrients from
surface-applied manure without incorporation.
Farmers with open feedlots should
scrape-and-haul weekly if possible.
For
more information about flooding and the environmental problems it can create,
visit the minimizing flood risk page on the MPCA website. Factsheet: Managing manure storage and land application during adverse weather conditions.
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The
MPCA Feedlot Update welcomes news from partners about, projects, people, and
upcoming events. Email submissions to forrest.peterson@state.mn.us.
Past issues of Feedlot Update are available on the feedlot program publications webpage.
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