The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is reminding farmers to spread manure with care after April 1 — the end of the winter manure spreading ban.
Even though the Accepted Agricultural Practice Regulations allow manure spreading after April 1, the agency is reminding farmers that they should carefully assess their individual situation to make sure they do not violate the regulations if they choose to spread manure.
The regulations require that all agricultural waste be managed to protect water quality, which means manure must not runoff to surface water or across property boundaries.
Among the suggestions being offered are waiting to spread manure until snow is off fields or, if manure must be spread, farmers should choose fields that are relatively flat and far away from rivers and streams.
