As district sales managers we see many things that make us shake our heads. From spraying in high winds, working up ground to a pulp only to find it in the air, to working up the ditch bank to get that extra 8” that they believe will make or break there bank account. Applying manure on frozen ground or snow covered is one that the general public see as environmentally unfriendly. It’s not difficult to see brown snow and a lingering smell.

The hot topic this year is phosphorus and water quality that goes with it. The numbers don’t lie! Algae bloom is a concern and must be corrected. Now, Agriculture is not the only source of P flowing into our waters but it doesn’t help when the application of manure is applied with no consideration to the environment. Why are they applying manure at this time of year? Where is your 240 days of storage gone? The question is, how can we convince livestock producers to stop this practice. The threat of having to obtain a permit to apply P is one that I do not want to see but is not farfetched. Imagine the outcry that would create. The cost of having an accredited person do up the paper work, the application fee, manure and soil test, not to mention the delay of getting approval or sent back for more information and don’t forget that you will have to adhere to Government safe recommendation rates. Our government has no problem implementing regulations, deserved or not, such as banning herbicide and insecticide application on lawns and neonics on seed.

It’s time to wake up and “smell the roses”. Do the right thing before you are mandated!

– Pierre