COLUMBUS As a result of heavy rains, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Soil and Water Resources is offering limited financial assistance to qualifying livestock farmers whose manure storage facilities are near capacity.
Overflows could have an environmental impact on waterways, said Ted Lozier, division chief.
"The rains have caused a tremendous hardship on farmers who are unable to get into the fields to plant or safely apply fertilizer and manure," he said.
Ohio has experienced its wettest April in more than 100 years of record keeping with a rainfall of 7.7 inches. The previous record was 6.37 inches set in April 1893.
Officials also said it was Ohio's wettest February to April period on record.
A cost share of up to $500 is potentially available to assist qualifying livestock facility operators to haul and dispose of liquid manure in a manner approved by the program. The program is targeted toward situations where there are no other immediate options for storage or transfer of manure.
Administered in cooperation with Ohio's Soil and Water Conservation Districts, producers are encouraged to call the local office at (419) 447-7071 for details.
