FULTON, Mich. (AP) — Officials say manure that was spread as fertilizer on a Kalamazoo County farm field has been washed away by melting snow, creating a big mess. WWMT-TV reports the manure was spread on the field near Fulton last week. Bruce Washburn, an analyst for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, says temperatures warmed up, causing manure to be washed off the field.

The station reports the melting created a stream of manure that flowed over a road and into ditches and neighboring properties. Washburn says efforts are taking place to contain the contaminated water. He says officials are investigating whether improper application or bad timing is to blame. He says that spreading manure on snow-covered ground is a “more risky practice.”