Winter manure management

By Brianna Smith

Winter manure application can be tricky, and the rules vary depending on location and operation size across Ohio. Glen Arnold, CCA, professor and manure nutrient management field specialist with Ohio State University Extension, shares practical insight on winter manure application, storage options, and regulatory considerations. Arnold works closely with livestock producers, crop advisers, and applicators across the state on manure management, nutrient utilization, and water quality protection.

Q: As we look ahead to winter manure application, what does the current regulatory landscape look like in Ohio?
Arnold: It varies depending on location and operation size. For example, in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed, there is a prohibition on manure application from Dec. 15 through March 1. That restriction has been in place for several years.

Permitted livestock operations across Ohio also face stricter rules. These include larger dairies, swine operations, beef feedlots, and poultry farms that meet size thresholds requiring a permit. Those operations are not allowed to apply manure on frozen or snow-covered ground anywhere in the state. That has been standard for many years, and most of those farms plan accordingly.

Q: How are larger farms managing manure during the winter if they cannot apply it?
Arnold: Many larger dairies and commercial manure applicators have invested in satellite storage ponds. These ponds are located away from the source farm and allow manure to be stored during winter months until field conditions are suitable for application in the spring.

For commercial applicators, satellite storage also helps reduce risk. Instead of applying manure under questionable winter conditions, they can haul it to storage and apply it later when conditions and regulations allow. It still costs money, but it significantly reduces regulatory and environmental risk.

Q: What about smaller or diversified livestock farms that are not permitted operations?
Arnold: For smaller farms, winter manure application is still legal in Ohio, but it is strongly discouraged. It is a high-risk activity and subject to intense scrutiny.

If manure is applied in winter, very specific conditions must be met. Fields must have a living crop with significant surface residue, typically at least 90% cover. Application rates are limited to 5,000 gallons of liquid manure or 5 tons of solid manure per acre, with no more than 20 continuous acres applied without a 200-foot setback. All standard setbacks from ditches, streams, and waterways still apply.

If manure moves off the field into a ditch or waterway, regulators will review whether all conditions were followed. That is where producers often get into trouble.

Q: What alternatives exist for producers with solid manure during winter?
Arnold: Stockpiling solid manure can be an option, but it depends on how long the manure will be stored.

Short-term stockpiles fall under NRCS Standard 318 and apply when manure is stored in the field for no more than 180 days and will be applied on that same field. Proper setbacks, site selection, and runoff prevention measures are critical.

Long-term stockpiles are addressed under NRCS Standard 313 and involve manure stored for more than 180 days at a permanent location. These typically require a stacking facility with specific structural and runoff-control design standards. Long-term storage should be planned carefully to prevent nutrient loss and environmental risk.

Q: What role does record-keeping and documentation play in winter manure management?
Arnold: Record-keeping is critical. At a minimum, producers should document the date, time, field location, application rate, and total loads applied.

One often overlooked but important piece is the weather forecast. We recommend printing and saving the 24-hour forecast prior to application, particularly to document rainfall probability. If there is a discharge event, regulators will look at whether the forecast exceeded thresholds, such as more than a 50% chance of over a half-inch of rain in a 24-hour period in certain regions.

Good records can make a big difference if questions arise later.

Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what manure management trends or technologies should CCAs be watching?
Arnold: One of the biggest growth areas in Ohio has been the 360 Rain system. These systems apply manure at low volume and low speed on a continuous basis, and their use has expanded rapidly, particularly in flatter regions of the state.

There is also increasing interest in on-the-go nutrient sensing technology. While we are not quite to the point where systems can automatically adjust application rates in real time based on field variability, progress continues. The long-term goal is better matching nutrients to field needs by combining manure sensors with soil testing data.

Q: What is your advice for farmers this winter?
Arnold: Regardless of county, the best advice is to check with the local Soil and Water Conservation District before considering winter manure application. Rules have evolved, and producers need to understand which regulations apply to their operation.

Manure is a valuable nutrient resource, but it comes with responsibility. Careful planning, proper storage, and risk-based application decisions are the best way to protect water quality and keep manure management out of the spotlight for the wrong reasons.