Workgroup

Purpose

The purpose of this workgroup is to review issues and develop guidance on the practices of applying livestock manure or process wastewater through irrigation equipment – referred to as “manure irrigation.” The scope of workgroup activities will address benefits, concerns, and remaining questions associated with manure irrigation.

Expected Outputs/Products

The workgroup set out to compile and review existing information, review new research, and produce written guidance and recommendations for the use of manure irrigation practices.  The workgroup report includes background information, discussions of factors influencing the concerns and benefits associated with the practices, and recommendations developed by the group. The workgroup sought consensus on recommendations. Recommendations are intended for: WDNR, producers using or interested in the practices, local government officials, and other interested stakeholders.

The workgroup held its final meeting on September 30, 2015. The report was released on April 14, 2016.

 

Composition

The workgroup consisted of invited participants representing a cross-section of interests concerned with the use of irrigation equipment to apply livestock manure or process wastewater by agricultural operations. The workgroup does not have any formal authority for policy regarding Manure Irrigation.

Workgroup Members:

  • Ken Genskow, UW-Madison/UW-Extension (chair/facilitator)
  • Becky Larson, UW-Madison/UW-Extension
  • Carrie Laboski, UW-Madison/UW-Extension
  • Mark Borchardt, USDA-Agricultural Research Service
  • Andrew Craig, Wisconsin DNR
  • Joe Baeten, Wisconsin DNR
  • Pat Murphy, NRCS (retired as of October 2015)
  • Steve Struss, Wisconsin DATCP (retired as of October 2015)
  • Rob Thiboldeaux, Wisconsin DHS
  • Suzanne Gibbons Burgener, Wisconsin DHS
  • Gloria Smedema, Fond du Lac County Public Health
  • Sarah Grosshuesch, Adams County Public Health
  • Kenn Buelow, Dairy Farmer
  • Jeff Sommers, Dairy Farmer
  • Shelly Mayer, Dairy Farmer and Executive Director, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW)
  • Jeff Polenske, Agronomist
  • Dana Cook, Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin (PNAAW)
  • Lynn Utesch, Organic Farmer, Sustain Rural WI Network, and Kewaunee Cares
  • Jim Vandenbrook, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association (WLWCA)

Past Workgroup Members:

  • Todd Boehne, Wisconsin DATCP

Meeting Schedule and Information

Workgroup Meeting #1:  Tuesday, July 30, 2013, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Dane County Extension office in Madison.  (First Floor Meeting Room, 5201 Fen Oak Ct, Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #2: Tuesday, October 22, 2013, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Board Room. 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53718 (note visitors must check in at the front desk for a parking pass and visitor badge)

Workgroup Meeting #3: Friday, November 22, 2013, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Dane County Extension office in Madison.  (First Floor Meeting Room, 5201 Fen Oak Ct, Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #4: Friday, December 13, 2013, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Dane County Extension office in Madison.  (First Floor Meeting Room, 5201 Fen Oak Ct, Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #5:  Friday, January 31, 2014 – CANCELED

Workgroup Meeting #5:  Monday, February 24, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dane County Extension office in Madison.  (First Floor Meeting Room, 5201 Fen Oak Ct., Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #6:  Friday, March 14, 2014  CANCELED

Workgroup Meeting #6:  Friday, April 4, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dane County Extension Office in Madison.  (First Floor Meeting Room – Rm 121, 5201 Fen Oak Ct., Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #7:  Tuesday, August 26, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison.  (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #8:  Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison.  (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #9:  Monday, November 10, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. [Note time change] at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison.  (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)  This meeting will focus on compiling the draft report.  This will not be a full workgroup meeting.

Workgroup Meeting #10:  Monday, December 15, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison.  (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)  The meeting will focus entirely on discussing the first (partial) DRAFT of the Workgroup report. Initial content will be refined and expanded based on workgroup discussion. The target for completing the report is March/April 2015. Meeting dates for early 2015 will be determined by the group.

  • Discussion during the meeting focused on the draft report and suggestions for clarification and improvement.

Workgroup Meeting #11:  Friday, January 16, 2015 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison.  (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)  The meeting will focus entirely on discussing the first (partial) DRAFT of the Workgroup report. Initial content will be refined and expanded based on workgroup discussion. The target for completing the report is March/April 2015. Meeting dates for early 2015 will be determined by the group.

  • Discussion during the meeting focused on the draft report and suggestions for clarification and improvement.

The workgroup also held a short web meeting on Friday, March 20, 2015, during which Drs. Borchardt and Burch presented preliminary results of their pathogen drift QMRA study.  Discussion was limited, but will continue at the April 29 meeting.

Workgroup Meeting #12:  Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)

Workgroup Meeting #13:  Thursday, June 4, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison (Executive Board Room, 1st Floor, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718) – note: location updated as of 5/29/15

Workgroup Meeting #14:  Wednesday, July 22, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station (Classroom, 8502 Mineral Point Rd, Verona, WI  53593)

Workgroup Meeting #15:  Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison (Room 411 (subject to change), 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI  53718)  The workgroup will be discussing recommendations for the report.

  • Discussion during the meeting focused primarily on recommendations.

Workgroup Meeting #16:  Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the USDA-NRCS Wisconsin State Office, Madison (Room 201 A/B, 8030 Excelsior Dr, Madison, WI  53717).

  • Discussion during the meeting focused primarily on recommendations and final workgroup activities.

 

The workgroup held its final meeting on September 30, 2015. The report was released on April 14, 2016.

 

For questions about the workgroup, contact Ken Genskow, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, UW-Madison, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and Environmental Resources Center. kgenskow@wisc.edu; 608-262-8756.