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MADISON – State agriculture and water quality officials are urging livestock farmers to avoid applying manure if rain is forecast or snow is melting or expected to melt, according to a statement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Avoiding manure spreading when rain or snow is running off the land may prevent manure from being carried into lakes, streams and groundwater where it can cause water quality problems for farmers, neighbors and local waterways, the statement said.

If delaying manure application is not possible, farmers should take special steps to reduce the risk of manure running off, the statement said.

Data collected by the state’s Discovery Farm program show that March may be one of the riskiest months for manure applications, said Gordon Stevenson of the DNR’s runoff management section.

Many smaller operations may not have the storage available to avoid applications on frozen or snow-covered ground. There are, however, additional steps farmers can take to minimize the risk of runoff and prevent unintended consequences for the farmers, their neighbors and local lakes and rivers, the statement said.

If a spill occurs, farmers should immediately report runoff events to the DNR using the 24-hour spill hotline at 1-800-943-0003.