Wis. farmers asked to tone down manure use

MADISON, Wis. — State agriculture officials say the upcoming rain and warmer temperatures forecast for southern Wisconsin are expected to increase the risk of manure runoff.

They are urging livestock farmers to avoid spreading manure in the next couple of days in those areas where rain and snowmelt are expected.

They say manure spread on fields prone to runoff can be carried into lakes, rivers and groundwater and can cause water quality problems

If manure must be applied, the state recommends farmers not spreading manure where their location and slope presents a high risk of run off.