KEWAUNEE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – A local county is addressing manure irrigation in its fields.
Kewaunee County Conservationist Davina Bonness says a recently-passed ordinance allows farmers to apply nutrients during the entire growing season (summer was previously excluded) through low pressure-drip irrigation at heights up to 18 inches.
“We’re hoping to alleviate some of that liquid in the recharge events, which happen in spring and in fall, and hopefully that will decrease the amount of runoff and contamination that get into our waterways and wells.”
This spring, 55 of the county’s 82 wells tested positive for contamination.
In addition to environmental benefits, Bonness believes the measure will also help farmers and the community.
“Less trucks on the road, because you’re not hauling it. Less storage, because you don’t need to be storing it throughout the entire winter months.”
While the county board unanimously passed the ordinance, Bonness notes some community members did share concerns, specifically centered on the height requirements and possible odor concerns that could result.
“With 18 inches off the ground, it will be close to the ground, the odors should be contained within the crop canopies.”
Kewaunee County is the first in Wisconsin to pass this sort of measure.
