Scientists: Manure irrigation gets bad rap; health risks low
By MaryBeth Matzek/ Midwest Agricultural Almanac
A method many livestock farmers in Wisconsin want to use to more effectively fertilize their crops and reduce the environmental impact is safe, according to researchers who conducted a first-of-its-kind study.
“There are so many misconceptions out there regarding manure irrigation, and we wanted to look at all the data and present factual information,” said Dr. Becky Larson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “People are concerned about air quality with manure irrigation, but that’s not really a worry,” she said.
Larson and Dr. Tucker Burch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Station in Marshfield explained the findings Feb. 22 during the 2017 Midwest Manure Summit in Green Bay. Their research was part of a workgroup assembled to look at the issue and make recommendations to municipalities considering rules regarding the practice.