Livestock and Land versus Mud and Manure

Livestock and Land versus Mud and Manure

If you run livestock on your land, manure is just part of doing business.  Depending on how that manure is managed, handled and stored, it can be a valuable resource or a major problem.  As a resource, manure is the gardeners dream fertilizer, rich in nutrients and organic matter.  Manure spread at the appropriate agronomic rates can enrich pastures and eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.  But when manure meets mud, especially during the wet seasons in heavy use areas (HUA’s) as in confined feeding paddocks, the potential for severe erosion and runoff of nutrients into streams grows exponentially.  Once the manure reaches waterways, the ensuing environmental damage may often occur several miles downstream, with the landowner being totally unaware of the consequences.

Okay, so now we know there is a potential for environmental damage from manure that is allowed to seep into creeks and streams.  But what can be done to eliminate the problem and still maintain livestock on your land?  Fortunately, there are viable solutions to the problem of having an accumulation of manure with a potential to pollute. The Spokane Conservation District introduced a new program in 2012, designed to assist landowners with the proper handling and management of livestock and the subsequent manure, turning a problem into a valuable resource.  After undertaking a comprehensive livestock inventory in Spokane County, we found hundreds of horse operations, usually with several animals each, along with mules, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, geese, and even a few camels and zebras.  Large, commercial livestock operations were not included, but rather the smaller acreages, usually with less than 30 animals were inventoried.  Those several thousand animals we found generate thousands of tons of manure each year.  During the summer when most of the animals are out in pastures, the manure is virtually invisible and not much of an issue.  But during the winter months when the animals are confined, the manure quickly accumulates in smaller areas and can become a real problem.

The purpose of the Livestock and Land Program is to assist livestock property owners and boarding facilities with implementing Best Management Practices (BMP’s) that improve animal health and safety while protecting the land.  Our staff will provide free site assessments and consultations for livestock owners and frequently have cost-share funds available treatments.  Typical improvements are construction of manure composting facilities where manure can be easily stored and managed.   Many barns and animal sheds lack rain gutters which would direct storm water away from paddocks and manure holding areas.  Many paddocks lack appropriate drainage with the heavy use areas turned into muddy, mucky messes during the winter and spring  Each site will have its’ own unique challenges with any number of solutions available.  Contact the Spokane Conservation District for your own on-site assessment and consultation.  While the animals are still confined in winter high use areas is a perfect time to make an assessment on how to maximize the efficiency of your livestock operation and manure handling system.

The Spokane Conservation District is a non-regulatory sub-division of State Government, providing assistance to landowners on a voluntary basis.