Natrona County Conservation District

"Locally-led Conservation of Water, Soil & Natural Resources"
Natrona County Conservation District
5880 Enterprise Drive, Suite 100
Casper, WY  82609
307-261-5436, Ext. 4

Urban to Rural Living

 

For people who have recently moved from town, a 5-acre farm may seem like unlimited space.  Consequently, many small acreage landowners put too many animals on too little pasture, and neglect to identify how to manage the inevitable mud and manure.

 

Rural living requires a seasonal land-use plan to manage pasture areas, animal yards and manure, that protect and preserve existing natural resources and maintain a healthy environment for animals and humans.

Managing Mud & Manure

Poor mud and manure management can be hazardous to your health and your animals.  Following are examples of good manure management: 

 
Move manure pile into a covered,water tight building for winter storage.

Fence animals away from streams, drainages and ditches. 
 

Plant a buffer of shrubs and trees along streams, drainages and ditches to filter animal yard runoff. 

 

Place a water tank in each paddock/pasture, away from streams, drainages and ditches.

 

 

 

Pasture Management

 
Close grazing and trampling can cause bare ground, poor animal health, erosion, poor animal health, erosion, and pollutant runoff.  Following are examples of good pasture management:
 
  • Pasture grass is thick, nutritious and more than 3-inches tall.
  • Divide large pastures into several paddocks that are rotated and grazed evenly.
  • Place troughs and salt licks away from wet areas and open water.
  • Feed animals sufficiently to avoid fence post chewing

For some very helpful information on mud, manure and pasture management on small or large acreages, please visit the following links:

 

The Scoop on Manure Management - Barnyards & Backyards
 
Managing Pastures -  Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District (WCSWCD)

 

Managing Mud and Manure - WCSWCD

 

Fertilizing for Profit - WCSWCD