Water Quality and Conservation

Watering Systems for Grazing
By Kevin Gould
Most of the people who put in a pasture watering system say, “why didn’t I do this sooner! It makes things much easier—the cattle and manure stay in the pasture, the system is not that costly and is mostly trouble free.”
 

Acceptable Practices for Managing Livestock Along Lakes, Streams and Wetlands
Click here to download a PDF printable version of this MSUE Bulletin.

Phosphorus workshop focuses on protecting Michigan waters
By Lois Wolfson
That old adage “too much of a good thing” applies especially well to phosphorus and its impact on lakes and streams. That’s why strategies for reducing phosphorus in watersheds will take the main stage during Collaborative Solutions for Reducing Phosphorus in Agricultural and Urban Watersheds, a workshop hosted by Michigan State University Extension July 10 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.

Keap cattle out of creeks and streams
By Marilyn Thelen
Cattle in the creek have been the subject of many paintings and photos. But the damage caused when they trek across ditches and streams wreaks havoc. Read entire article from the Michigan Farmer.

Health farming means healthy water, and vice-versa
By Tim Harrigan
George Vellidis believes that healthy aquatic ecosystems are an important part of maintaining a sustainable animal production system—in Michigan or anywhere else. Read entire article

Monitoring for Water Quality and Health
By Rachel McNinch
Water is one of the world’s most precious natural resources, used for drinking and food supply, cleaning, industrial and recreational purposes. Read entire article

Livestock and Water Quality
In an effort to remain profitable, livestock farms are consolidating and expanding in size. Along with expansion come larger facilities, more management responsibility, greater visibility in the community and a greater potential for adverse effects on the environment. This fact sheet helps answer frequently asked questions about potential impacts from livestock farming systems on surface water and groundwater quality.

Be Safe…Monitor Tile Outlets
By Tim Harrigan
How can you be sure that your field tile drains are not carrying manure to surface water if you don’t monitor them? If there is a problem, you need to be the first to know. The peace of mind from knowing manure is staying in the field is priceless. Read entire article

Improving Manure Management: A Springtime Checklist
Livestock producers are asking, “What should I be doing to improve manure management on my farm?” The answer is it all depends on where you’re currently at and how far you want to go.Read entire article

Spreading Manure on Frozen, Snow Covered Fields
By Natalie Rector
One bad apple does spoil the whole bunch. Every incident of winter manure application that causes a runoff to surface water during spring thaw is one more reason for the public and the regulators to consider restricting this practice.Read entire article

Fall Field Goals
By Natalie Rector
There’s more to fall than football and harvest. If you are planning to buy one dime of fertilizer or spread one tank of manure, be sure soil and manure tests are taken to direct your nutrient management plans. Read entire article

Myths About Manure 
WHAT’S YOUR MANURE IQ?
“With rising nitrogen prices, manure nutrients are more valuable than ever”, says Natalie Rector, MSU Extension Nutrient Management Agent. Manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and many micronutrients, but… Read entire article

Nutrient Status of Your Fields?
By Carrie Laboski
Soil sampling is the best tool that you have to assess the nutrient status of your fields. There are several steps involved in taking a good soil sample. First, a field should be sampled once every 3 years. Read entire article

Have Enough Land to Apply Your Manure?
By Carrie Laboski
Do you have enough land to apply manure? In order to answer this question, you must collect a few pieces of information. You will need: current soil test levels for your fields, amount of phosphorus (P) excreted by your livestock, crop rotation, P removal, distance to surface waters, and capacity of manure storage. Read entire article