Horse and Livestock Property Land Management

Livestock produces a lot of manure, which needs to be handled properly to prevent bad smells, pollution, and health problems for animals. When managed correctly, manure can be a great resource! If it is composted and spread at the right time, it can help crops and pastures grow by adding nutrients to the soil. Spreading manure when plants are actively growing helps feed the soil organisms and improve plant health but be careful! If too much is applied or spread at the wrong time, it can cause pollution by washing into rivers and streams. We can help you figure out how to balance manure use so it benefits your land while protecting the streams and wells. Healthy pastures provide good food for horses and livestock and are better than muddy pastures where diseases and parasites can spread.  

Western Oregon gets a lot of rain in the wet season, and our local soil is often sticky and can become compacted when walked or driven on. Also, grass grows very slowly in the winter, so it cannot take in extra nutrients. If the soil gets compacted, rainwater cannot soak in, leading to more runoff and erosion.  Protect your pastures by using sacrifice areas for animals in the winter. Learn more about sacrifice areas in our resource section below.

Manure piles from barns should be covered before the fall rain arrives. Leaving manure piles uncovered during the rainy season can cause nutrients and bacteria to soak down into the groundwater or run off into rivers and streams. This contaminates water for us and wildlife. 

The best way to manage manure depends on the type of animals you have and how you manage them. Learn more about managing manure in our resources section. You will find tips on collecting, storing, spreading, and composting manure. With the right management, you can keep your farm healthy for animals and the environment!