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Grants for manure injection available from MDA

February 12, 2015, Annapolis, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that cost-share grants are available to help farmers cover the cost of injecting or incorporating manure and other eligible organic nutrients into cropland as required by Maryland’s nutrient management regulations.

Maryland’s revised nutrient management regulations require farmers to inject or incorporate manure and other organic nutrient sources into the soil within 48 hours of application in order to achieve maximum water quality benefits for streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Assistance is available to hire custom operators, rent or lease equipment, or offset operating costs associated with using secondary tillage equipment needed to incorporate or inject manure into the soil. Cost-share rates for manure incorporation and injection range from $10 to $55 an acre depending on the type of equipment or services used. Farmers who use manure injection equipment receive the highest reimbursement rates. While transportation costs are not cost-shared under this program, the Manure Transportation Program is available for eligible farms.

Grants for manure incorporation and injection are administered by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. Applicants must be in good standing with MACS to participate and in compliance with the Nutrient Management Program. All work must be completed by June 2, 2015, and all claims for payment received by June 10, 2015. Other restrictions apply.

Farmers should visit their local soil conservation district office as soon as possible to apply. Applications will be accepted until all funds are fully committed. For more information, contact MDA at 410-841-5864.