The DNR has granted preliminary approval to Rosendale Dairy to utilize a never-before-tried method of determining whether it can spread manure on fields with shallow groundwater.
In fact, because no one has tried it before, the DNR will require Rosendale Dairy to verify its results by conducting extra tests for two years.
But, if it proves to be a reliable method of determining which fields have groundwater too close to the surface, the dairy will test only a percentage of the fields it applies on to see if it is safe.
Why is this an issue? Because if manure is placed on a field with groundwater less than 24 inches from the surface (also known as a “wet” field or one with “W” soils), the water could become contaminated as the manure quickly seeps through the thin topsoil.
Read the full story in the Dec. 10, 2009 edition of the Ripon Commonwealth Press.
