Marathon County explores winter manure spreading restrictions for dairy farms

The Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee convened on January 28, 2025, to discuss ongoing efforts related to agricultural waste management and its environmental impact. The meeting focused on follow-up items from the previous month, emphasizing the exploration phase of proposed updates to the county's animal waste ordinance.

The committee began by reviewing feedback from the last meeting, where concerns were raised about the demographics of local dairy farms and the implications of proposed winter spreading restrictions. The committee's representatives highlighted their commitment to gathering detailed data on farms without manure storage, which could be significantly affected by the proposed regulations.

Matt Repking, a key contributor to the data analysis, presented findings indicating that out of approximately 348 dairy farms in Marathon County, 198 have some form of manure storage, while 150 do not. This new data revealed that about 62 farms without storage could be impacted by a proposed ban on spreading manure during February and March, which are critical months for water quality.

The discussion included the potential environmental benefits of the proposed restrictions. It was estimated that if the ban were implemented, approximately 9 million gallons of manure would not be spread during the 60-day period, potentially reducing phosphorus runoff by nearly 16,000 pounds. This reduction is significant, as it could alleviate pressure on local wastewater treatment facilities, which face high costs for phosphorus removal.

The committee also addressed the broader implications of agricultural practices on urban residents, noting that failure to meet phosphorus reduction goals could lead to increased costs for municipal water treatment. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has indicated that if non-point source pollution is not adequately managed, the burden of phosphorus removal may shift back to point sources, such as wastewater treatment plants.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's ongoing efforts to engage with stakeholders and refine the proposed animal waste ordinance updates. The next steps will involve further data analysis and continued outreach to local farm groups to ensure that the regulations are effective and equitable for all parties involved.