Soil Management: Environmental Considerations

| Corn | Soybeans | Forages | Cereals | Dry Edible Beans |
| Spring and Winter Canola | Other Crops | Soil Management |
| Soil Fertility and Nutrient Use | Field Scouting |
| On-Farm Stored Grain Management | Weed Control |
| Insects and Pests of Field Crops | Diseases of Field Crops | Appendices |

Pub 811: Agronomy Guide > Soil Management > Environmental Considerations

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops

Good soil management has significant benefits for the soil. It can also provide other environmental benefits by helping to protect water quality. Many of the activities on the farm can have an impact on the environment. The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) has helped farmers understand the environmental risk of these activities since 1993. The EFP is a self-assessment tool that examines 23 different areas of the farm. All levels of government, conservation authorities and a few organizations have provided at least some financial incentives for land owners to make improvements. If not already implemented, consider completing an EFP. Check with governments and other organizations for funding opportunities to make environmental improvements on the farm. The EFP program is administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.

Water Quality

Water is a valuable resource. A clean and abundant supply of water is critical to the success of a farm business and the health of the family. Others, including fish and wildlife, also share the water. It is a privilege to have an ample supply of clean water and a responsibility to make sure the water leaving the farm is abundant and clean for the next user.

Farm operations impact water quality in many ways. Soil erosion, manure, septic system effluent, milkhouse wastes, pesticides and fuels can affect surface water quality. Nutrients, manure, pesticides and fuels moving down through the soil can affect groundwater quality.

The greatest water quality challenges affecting producers involve bacteria (from manure), nitrates and sediment. Pesticide contamination is much less of a problem.

Air

There are three main issues related to air on the farm - odour, dust and greenhouse gases. The OMAFRA website and the Best Management Practices booklet series offer a number of options to address these issues.

Best Management Practices booklets published by OMAFRA/Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/ Ontario Federation of Agriculture contain more information on water quality problems and solutions as well as fish and wildlife management, irrigation, nutrient management, agroforestry and greenhouse gases.

Best Management Practices

Farming is a business with many risks: the weather, finances, and market uncertainties. Today, we also realize that certain farming practices may create environmental risks that affect water quality.

Producers experience some of the resulting problems themselves such as lower crop yields, soil losses and water pollution. But rural and urban neighbours may also be affected. Not all problems are severe, and not all farms have problems. But for those producers who are affected, practical solutions exist. The books and other products of the Best Management Practices Program cover workable solutions for soil, water and habitat problems.