System Detects Over 1,000 Wisconsin Manure Spreading Events

A new monitoring tool identifies manure applied to snow-covered croplands across 17 Wisconsin counties.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Environmental

System Detects Over 1,000 Wisconsin Manure Spreading Events

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Should environmental groups use satellite surveillance to monitor private agricultural land for pollution violations?

The Environmental Law & Policy Center identified 1,094 instances of manure spreading on snow-covered fields during the last two winters. The organization used a custom satellite-based system to monitor these agricultural practices across 17 Wisconsin counties.

Why it matters

Spreading manure on snow-covered ground poses a significant risk for water pollution, as melting snow and rain can easily wash waste into nearby waterways. Identifying these events provides critical data on agricultural waste management practices.

The detection system utilizes Google Earth Engine to analyze satellite imagery for manure signatures. Researchers examined monitoring data collected over two winters to map the occurrences across 17 counties.

The players

Environmental Law & Policy Center

This non-profit organization advocates for environmental policy changes and clean water protections throughout the Midwest.

The details

The Environmental Law & Policy Center built a proprietary detection system that leverages Google cloud computing resources to identify manure signatures on frozen croplands. This monitoring project aims to track how agricultural waste is managed during winter months when ground conditions make runoff more likely.

The monitoring system identified manure-spreading events over a period of two winters.

The Big Picture

This project utilizes Google Earth Engine to shift the paradigm of agricultural oversight from manual site visits to large-scale, automated remote sensing. By bridging gaps in environmental monitoring, this technology allows for regional analysis that was previously impossible to conduct at this scale.

Improved tracking of agricultural waste practices could eventually influence state-level runoff regulations and help protect local water quality. Residents may see increased pressure for policy changes aimed at mitigating the impact of winter manure application on public waterways.

The takeaway

Advancements in satellite monitoring allow for greater transparency regarding agricultural practices that impact regional water systems. Local stakeholders can use this data to better understand the scope of runoff risks in their respective communities.