March 1 Marks Start of Spring Farming in Maryland; Farmers Adhere to Strict Environmental Rules to Protect Soil, Water Quality

ANNAPOLIS, MD – March 1 marks the start of the “fertilizer” season for farmers, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture wants to help citizens – especially those who live or drive near farms – understand what farming practices they can expect to see in the next few weeks. In addition, there have been a few changes worth noting as well.

“Farming is an evolving science and often times we get calls in the spring from citizens who don’t always understand what they are seeing,” said Secretary Buddy Hance. “Today’s farmers are using the latest scientific tools and environmental practices to prevent nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake Bay watershed and they are doing so according to a specially formulated, scientifically based plan designed for the crop needs on their land.”

First, any farmer who earns more than $2,500 a year or manages more than 8,000 pounds of live animal weight must, by law, follow a nutrient management plan. These plans specify how much fertilizer, manure or other nutrient sources may be safely applied to crops to achieve yields and prevent excess nutrients from impacting waterways. Application rates are determined according to soil samples, crop needs and University of Maryland recommendations. On March 1, farmers will start working their fields in accordance with their nutrient management plans, and Marylanders can expect to see tractors in the fields as farmers apply manure and other fertilizers according to these carefully developed plan.

Second, poultry and livestock farmers must manage their manure over the winter to conserve its valuable nutrients and protect the Chesapeake Bay from runoff. There are two ways they can do this. Almost all poultry farmers store manure in protective structures. Those who do not have covered structures – or not enough capacity in those structures – can follow scientifically based, conservation practices to store it in fields. These stockpiles are placed on high ground and away from water sources, public roads and neighbors. They are shaped to “crust over” and shed water when exposed to rain and snow. This protects the nutrients within the pile from rainwater runoff until the manure can be recycled as a crop fertilizer in the spring. Livestock farmers stack bedding material until spring, using the same guidelines, as well as storing most liquid manures in structures on the farm until spring.  Under limited conditions, liquid manures may be spread in winter but this provision ends in 2016. On March 1, citizens may well see farmers taking manure out of storage structures as well as these outside stockpiles to prepare their fields for planting. Resident who see these stockpiles being spread on fields should know that this is likely being done according to the latest scientific and conservation practices.

Finally, farmers must now establish application setbacks – meaning they may not apply fertilizer near surface waters and streams. The size of that setback depends on the method used for fertilizer application.  In addition, farmers must restrict livestock access to streams and certain surface waters.

Poultry litter and livestock manure are in high demand from crop farmers because they make an excellent fertilizer and soil conditioner. They contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus a host of micro-nutrients not available in commercial fertilizer products. Plus the high organic content of manure promotes water and nutrient retention.. Farmers are adopting new practices and modifying their nutrient management plans to get the most value from their manure and meet new regulatory requirements.

For more information about agriculture in Maryland, visit: www.mda.maryland.gov.

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