Maintaining Organic Matter Organic matter, the living and decaying plants and soil animals, is an essential component of healthy soil. The use of commercial fertilizers and excessive working of the soil deplete the organic matter. Such a practice also adds nitrogen, which has been taken from the air by the plants and added to the soil. Store livestock manure and spread it on the soil just before planting the crops in the spring. Water Quality Nitrates, phosphates and biological by products of farming contribute to water pollution along with households and industry.
Phosphates are another pollutant when found in water.
Those from agricultural sources mainly enter the water through erosion. Phosphates were a serious problem in the Great Lakes in the 60s and early 70s when the phosphate content of laundry detergents was not restricted. Biological byproducts of the farm can include the water used to wash the milking equipment. It is critical that drainage systems from the barn not flow directly into water supplies. Milkhouse water is best added to a liquid manure system.