Excellent Reply to the Water Quality article on Manure Spills

Well said Greg Farnham!

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Richard:

The attached article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlights the fact that this year our state has experienced the largest volume of livestock manure spills since 2007.  Notwithstanding the implications of this appalling statistic, you are quoted as:

"What can I say,  'Manure happens.'"

I consider this comment dismissive and arrogant.  I might expect such a reply from a representative of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, but not from an educator with the University of Wisconsin System.

According to the article, the "UW's showplace for agriculture research" in Arlington has been for years a flagrant violator of safe manure handling practices.  Is this the performance standard for management and faculty of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences?

There are hundreds of dedicated private individuals statewide serving as commissioners of lake management districts, directors of lake and river associations and volunteers with other water conservation and public health organizations who are working tirelessly in an effort to protect our surface waters and groundwater from manure contamination.

An apparent shoulder shrug from a CALS dean with the comment "manure happens" is an unacceptable response to the serious manure pollution problems in this state.

Sincerely,

Greg Farnham, Commissioner

Lake Sinissippi Improvement District

Hustisford, Wisconsin