You can retain the fertilizer value of covered manure by preventing leaching. Develop a waste handling system that will accomplish the following. Avoid excess manure application to prevent leaching. Maintain a grass buffer between cropland and a waterway to filter out some contaminants from field runoff. Size of adequate buffer will vary with slope, runoff volume, vegetative cover, and individual situation.
Pastures are an important part of most small-farm operations.
Proper pasture management will contribute significantly to the protection and enhancement of water quality. Pasture Fencing Use of fencing as a part of your management plan can encourage forage production, reduce animal feed costs, and also protect water. See Fig. 4. Keep in mind that water levels can fluctuate throughout the grazing season. In productive grazing management schemes, you can protect and enhance water quality when you maintain healthy and vigorous plant cover.