Manure spreading field day gives Calumet County farmers a look at the latest techniques
By: Eric Peterson (WLUK)
There's a right way and a wrong way to fling crap.
While it may sound silly, events like these are important for sustainable organic farming.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Dozens of farmers, and those in the business of agriculture took to the fields near Stockbridge Wednesday to learn about spreading manure and the impact on the environment.
"We want to look at using these nutrients properly, and that we're trying to get the most out of those nutrients, with the crop. That we can rely less and less on commercial fertilizer," said John VandenBoom, Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance Board Member.
VandenBoom says techniques include spreading manure over cover crops, or using a tractor to lightly plow the manure into the soil. He says a relatively new method involves injecting the manure below the surface.
"Because we want to have soil structure there, and that structure keeps ground from washing off the field, and in the creeks, and stuff like that. So we want everything to stay right where it is, leaving structure for the crop to grow, and use those nutrients," he said.
VandenBoom says the method helps protect the environment from farm run-offs, but it is costly. He says farmers can hire crews known as custom applicators to do the work. Farmer Ken Rach hosted the field day. He says most of the manure he applies to his 450-acre operation, comes from surrounding large-scale farms.
"We need to learn, different farms need to do things different ways, and in the world of the bigger dairies and manure, they got to find a way to get rid of it, in a right way," said Ken Rach, Town of Chilton.
It is the first field day hosted by the Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance. The non-profit group promotes sustainable farming practices that protect water quality, and build healthy soil.
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A job as a 'custom applicator' sounds better than a job as a 'manure spreader'.