Winter is here in Indiana, which makes it prime time to consider the timing and potential restrictions on manure application. Particularly, Indiana has specific restrictions on the application of manure to frozen or snow-covered ground. The application is permitted in certain circumstances, but following the right procedures can save you from receiving a $250 (first incident) fine from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist.
Indiana Code does not allow for a CFO to apply manure to frozen or snow-covered ground without “special permission from IDEM,” and IDEM does not grant special permissions. Non-CFO entities may apply to frozen or snow-covered ground, but A) No application in floodways or within 200 feet of surface water, B) only 50% of the agronomic uptake of the next season’s crop may be applied, and C) highly erodible ground applications have to have a cover crop or no-till residue cover. Keep in mind that which nutrient targeted for agronomic application is not specified, but tracing the rate applied back to the plan for nutrient management you keep in the farm office is key.