The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds farmers that Dec. 15 is the last day to spread manure and other organic nutrient sources on cropland. Farmers may resume nutrient applications March 1 as long as fields are not saturated, snow-covered or hard-frozen.

To avoid nutrient losses on farmland and to reduce runoff into waterways, spreading manure in the winter is prohibited by Maryland’s nutrient management regulations. Liquid manure generated on the farm must be stored in structures.

The department is authorized to work with farmers to prevent overflows from storage structures in the winter and to minimize impacts to water quality. In these circumstances, farmers must contact the nutrient management program for authorization before any spreading can take place.

Temporary field stockpiling of “stackable” organic nutrient sources with 60% or less moisture content is allowed when all other storage options are unavailable. Stackable organic nutrient sources should not be applied to fields in winter under any conditions.

Farmers should contact the Maryland Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959 if they have storage concerns or questions regarding the regulations.

Go online for additional information.

Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture