Infosheet #17  Manure Use and Management

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Livestock Feed Efficiency
  • 17-1 Feed efficiency tools
  • 17-2 Feed analysis, ration balancing and mixer calibration
  • 17-3 Nutrient Management Plan
  • 17-4 Ratio of livestock to farm unit acreage
  • 17-5 Application rate and adjustment to amount of fertilizer used (organic and inorganic)
  • 17-6 Distance to surface water
  • 17-7 Nitrate movement to groundwater
  • 17-8 Distance to wells
  • 17-9 Manure testing and calibration
  • 17-10 Soil conditions when manure/organic materials are applied
  • 17-11 Timing of incorporation
  • 17-12 Knowledge of responsible application methods
  • 17-13 Winter application of manure
  • 17-14 Transportation and transfer of manure from storage to field
  • 17-15 Operation of liquid manure direct flow system
  • 17-16 Application of liquid manure/organic material on tile drained land
• Off-farm Sources of Nutrients
• 17-17 Sewage biosolids or treated septage, food processing wastes municipal or industrial compost

Introduction

This infosheet provides background to Worksheet #17 of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options that you could adopt to address problem areas in your operation. In most cases you'll need more information before implementation. Please refer to the resource materials listed in the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technical Advisors.

All options are classed as Actions, Compensating Factors or Monitoring. Actions address the areas of concern identified, and will change the EFP rating to (3) or Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. Monitoring is an alternative only in special circumstances and is explained in the worksheet when and how it can be used.

OMAFRA = Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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Livestock Feed Efficiency

Issue: 17-1 Feed efficiency tools

Inefficient use of feed nutrients not only adds to the cost of production, but increases the risk of environmental problems. Feed additives and medications are critical tools in ensuring animal health and efficiency that require good management.

Feeding management strategies, equipment design and manure testing can also have an impact on feed efficiency.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Implement at least two of the following:

• when feed additives or medications are used, label directions or veterinary prescriptions are closely followed
• management strategies such as phase feeding and split-sex feeding in management groups will further increase feed efficiency
• equipment should be properly designed and maintained so that feeding strategies can be carried out accurately
• manure should be analysed before and after the addition of feed additives (such as phytase) or medications. This will help validate the effectiveness of the additive.

For More Information:

• Nutritional Strategies To Decrease Nutrients In Swine Manure, OMAFRA Factsheet, Order No. 04-035

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Issue: 17-2 Feed analysis, ration balancing and mixer calibration

Livestock diet must be considered in relation to manure production. Dietary strategies are one of the most cost-effective methods of reducing the nutrients in manure. Many dietary strategies are cost saving because the direct cost of nutrients is reduced, or feed efficiency and production are improved.

Ration balancing results in meeting required nutrients in a most cost effective and nutrient efficient manner.

Nutrients not utilized from feed for animal production are excreted in the manure. When animals are separated into age categories and/or stage of production and are fed according to needs, excessive nutrients are minimized in the manure.

Feed inventory records and analyzed rations help in balancing of rations. Consistent feed quality is important in maintaining production.

Regular mixer calibration helps ensure that required amount of feed is actually being fed.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Implement at least three of the following:

• base livestock rations on the most current feed recommendations, most livestock feed companies have nutrition specialists available to help farms improve feed efficiency
• housing livestock by age, sex and/or production cycle will help feed efficiency by providing each group with specific dietary needs
• feed, especially home grown, farm should be tested on a regular basis and the ration adjusted accordingly, variations in feed can affect livestock efficiency
• equipment calibration is required on a regular basis, calibration will ensure that feed ingredients are combined in the proper ratio.

Option #2- Compensating Factor

• if all feed is brought to the farm directly from the feedmill, mixed by calibrated equipment and ready to feed; that practice is considered equivalent to a "best" rating.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Testing, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 03-007
• Feeding Dairy Cattle To Reduce Excess Nitrogen Output, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 03-055

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Issue: 17-3 Nutrient Management Plan

A nutrient management plan (NMP) is a living document that considers all nutrients on the farm with regard to crop needs and environmental impact. A detailed plan (with no "red flags") will help to achieve optimal crop yields and product quality, and protect soil and water resources. Without a nutrient management plan, farmers may unknowingly apply nutrients at excessive rates which could lead to contamination of surface and/or ground water, as well as an accumulation of nutrients in the soil. A nutrient management plan helps track nutrient use on the farm and will most often reduce commercial fertilizer needs.

Red flags are indicators that a planned practice will lead to a higher risk of environmental contamination, while a yellow flag indicates a caution of either approaching higher environmental risk or an economic caution.

Frequent manure applications in the past on many livestock farms have resulted in phosphorus soil test levels of greater than 30 mg/L (or 30 ppm). At this soil test level there is no additional crop requirement for phosphorus, and an increased risk of movement to surface water as soil test P increases. Phosphorus applied at a rate equal to crop uptake will not cause an increase in soil test phosphorus.

A nutrient management plan also allows a person to examine management practices and their effect on nutrients or environmental limitations. It can also serve as a record keeping tool.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Complete a nutrient management plan that includes:

• testing of both soil and manure nutrient content
• determination of application rates that consider slope and texture to prevent runoff to surface water
• determination of application rates that meet crop needs or crop removal
• emergency action plan for manure spills or system failures
• no "red flags" or indicators that increase environmental risk.

Complete NMP as outlined above and:

• phosphorus application rates do not exceed crop removal over the rotation period when soil phosphorus levels are over 30 ppm
• phosphorus applied from manure will meet what the crop removes, when application is yearly this means that rate will not exceed one year crop removal
• when application is every other year, then rate will not exceed crop removal of the two crops, this will help maintain or reduce soil fertility levels over time
• attend courses, workshops, annual meetings to learn the latest in nutrient management.

Follow through with appropriate record keeping

• a Nutrient Management Plan is a living document
• follow all aspects of your manure management plan as closely as possible
• document changes and update your plan regularly.

Note: If a nutrient management plan has been completed (without red flags and with follow through of record keeping), then the Worksheet participant can move to question 8.

For More Information:

• NMAN/MSTOR Ontario's Nutrient Management Planning and Manure Storage Sizing Software
• Local Conservation Authority (CA) - for floodplain related questions.

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Issue: 17-4 Ratio of livestock to farm unit acreage

Note: To calculate the nutrient units on the farm use the chart on pg 169-172. A concentrated amount of livestock in one area can present a problem of noise and odour. Concentrated livestock operations produce large amounts of manure; sometimes without the landbase to apply the manure based on fertilizer recommendations. The risk of odour complaints and/or soil and water contamination increases when large volumes of manure are stored on the farmstead and/or applied to a small land base.

Many farms with completed nutrient management plans have about 1 NU/cropland acre. When farms have 2 NU/acre it results in the requirement for manure to be applied at high rates to legumes, or to a rotation that includes continuous corn.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Lower the ratio of livestock to farm acreage:

• less than 0.6 nutrient units per acre will satisfy manure application needs; whether through land rental or manure agreements or land ownership, this ratio allows application to crops that will have economic benefit from the nutrients applied
• where the nutrient units per acre are greater than 1, consider renting additional land or obtaining manure agreements; some cash crop farmers in Ontario are willing to pay for the nutrients from manure or in some cases for the organic matter benefit.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, 2002, Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended
• Nutrient management specialist

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Issue: 17-5Application rate and adjustment to amount of fertilizer used (organic and inorganic)

Application rate: see application rate table (pg 173) in worksheet 17.

Applying manure and organic wastes at high rates or on the same landbase every year can result in an oversupply of nutrients and increase risk of contaminated runoff. It is important not to apply more nitrogen than the crop can utilize, since the nitrogen (especially on sandy soils) has the potential to leach into and contaminate groundwater. Excess phosphorus can enter surface water and encourage excessive growth of aquatic vegetation.

Ideally a farm will have enough landbase that manure does not have to be applied on every acre every year. This allows for improved crop rotation and for easier balancing of nutrients.

Fertilizer adjustment

It is important to realize that the nutrient content of applied manure or organic material counts towards fulfilling your crop nutrient requirements. If fertilizer application is not adjusted according to the nutrient content of applied manure, you will be oversupplying nutrients to your crop and increasing the crop input costs and breakeven price.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Apply manure at low or moderate rates to less than 50% of cropland and adjust fertilizer rates:

• do not apply more manure nitrogen than the crop can utilize during the season manure is applied
• do not apply more manure phosphorus than what can be utilized by the crops in the rotation between application periods
• do not apply rates that allow manure to pond or move down slopes.

Apply manure on less than 50% of the crop land each year. This will make the best economic use of nutrients from manure/organic materials and will reduce the overall farm fertilizer bill while reducing the risk of increasing soil fertility to levels where risk to environment increases.

Reduce amount of fertilizer used by the nutrient value of applied manure/organic materials e.g. crop nutrient requirements - (manure nutrients added + nutrient credits) = commercial fertilizer nutrient(s) required.

For More Information:

• Soil Fertility Handbook, OMAFRA Publication 611
• Agronomy Guide for Field Crops, OMAFRA Publication 811
• Best Management Practices Book: Nutrient Management, Order No. BMP 05

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Issue: 17-6 Distance to surface water

There are potential pollutants in manure that can contaminate surface water. They include ammonia, phosphate, bacteria, and organic matter. In order to reduce the risk to nearby surface water manure should be spread away from surface water and tile drain inlets. In addition, manure should be applied at appropriate rates based on crop need and less than liquid loading rates to prevent manure runoff.

Liquid loading rates are determined by considering steepness of slope and soil texture. The steeper the slope and higher the clay content of the soil, the lower the rate that results in liquid movement.

When manure is applied near surface water there should be a separation distance adjacent to the top of the bank, depending upon type of material, slope, soil characteristics and method of incorporation. A vegetated buffer strip adjacent to surface water will help to reduce the amount of soil and contaminants that may reach surface water.

Areas of the field where concentrated flow moves toward surface water should also be avoided especially with spring applied manure when melting snow, wet soils and frequent rainfall increase the runoff and erosion that reaches surface water.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Keep a minimum separation distance when spreading manure near surface water:

• spread liquid manure at least 16 m (51 ft.) from surface water and solid manure at least 9 m (30 ft.)
• plant and maintain a 3 m vegetated buffer strip (minimum 10 ft width) along surface water, and maintain adequate separation distances from surface water when applying manure or organic materials
• if soil tests for phosphorus are greater than 30 ppm then amount of phosphorus applied within 200 ft. of surface water from all sources is less than crop removal rates (averaged over the crop rotation period)

Option #2 - Action

Maintain a setback from surface water:

• apply manure based on the separation distances in Table 15 of NMAN software or workbook
• have a permanently vegetated buffer at least 3 m (10 ft.) wide (from the top of the bank away from the surface water) alongside the surface water
• if soil tests for phosphorus are greater than 30 ppm then amount of phosphorus applied within 200 ft. of surface water from all sources is less than crop removal rates (averaged over the crop rotation period)

For More Information:

• Best Management Practices Books: Nutrient Management, Order No. BMP 05; Manure Management, 2005, Order No. BMP 16
  

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Issue: 17-7 Nitrate movement to groundwater

Nitrogen Basics

During the fall, winter and early spring, when crops are not growing, the risk of nitrates moving below the root zone is highest. The sources of nitrate include N left over after crop harvest (more applied than the crop used) and N from fall applied manure.

Manure nitrogen is predominantly in the ammonium and organic form. The ammonium portion is converted to the nitrate form quickly during good growing conditions (i.e. late summer).

Manure applied after cereal harvest, in late summer and early fall on sandy soils without growing crops (ie cover crops) provides the highest risk for nitrate movement to groundwater.

Manure applied in the fall on clay loam and clay soils will have little risk of leaching below the root zone, however loss due to denitrification (N2 or N20) is higher.

Nitrogen (N) is present in the soil and organic materials in three main forms: Ammonium-N, Nitrate-N and Organic-N

Most Ammonium-N is converted to nitrate-N in the soil before being taken up by plants.

Much of the nitrogen in manure is in the organic form. In this form it is not available to plants until it has been converted into ammonium-N. The rate at which this occurs depends on temperature, moisture and degradability of the organic material.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

• when applying nutrients in the fall, utilize cover crops to help take up nitrogen and hold it in an organic form, cover crops can include red clover, oil seed radish, oats or barley, uniform stand of volunteer wheat, winter wheat crops, etc.
• when volunteer wheat is planned as a cover crop and when wheat harvest is done with a wide head combine, consider going between the "swaths" to even out the volunteer wheat stand
• weeds should not be considered a cover crop due to their potential detrimental effect on subsequent crops.

Option #2 - Action

• when applying nutrients apply later in the fall (before "freeze-up") when possible

Option #3- Action

• apply manure in spring as close as possible to when a crop can use the nitrogen, this is best from an economic and N utilization perspective.

For More Information:

• Best Management Practices Book: Nutrient Management, Order No. BMP 05

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Issue: 17-8Distance to wells

Contamination to wells can occur in two different ways.

If the well is poorly constructed and surface water (with contaminants) flows toward and enters the well or, if contaminants flow through and below the soil surface and enter the groundwater.

The more shallow or poorly constructed the well, the higher the risk for contaminants to enter the groundwater.

Wells that have been abandoned, without being properly sealed are a direct pathway to groundwater. If manure is spread directly over an unmarked abandoned well, the risk for contaminants to enter the groundwater is high.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

• commercial fertilizer is applied more than 3m (10 ft) from a drilled or dug well
• all nutrients are applied greater than 100m (330 ft) from any municipal well, 330 ft will cover a significant portion of the "2-year capture zone" or area where water moving below the root zone will reach the groundwater within 2 years
• manure is applied greater than 15m (50 ft) from a drilled well that has a depth of at least
  50 ft and a water tight casing to a depth of at least 20 ft below ground level
• manure is applied greater than 30m (100 ft) from any private well different from that described in the last bullet. (e.g. dug well, sand-point well, shallow drilled well etc.)
• off-farm sourced materials are applied more than 90 m (300 ft) from a dug well or 15 m (50 ft) from a drilled well.

For More Information:

• Best Management Practices Book: Information Kit - Keeping Your Well Water Safe to Drink, Order No. BMP 12K (Available from MOE or OMAFRA)

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Issue: 17-9 Manure testing and calibration

Manure testing

Different types of manure and other organic materials have very different nutrient values, and nutrient values can vary even within the same manure type. By testing the manure for specific nutrients, including nitrogen, you will have a better idea of the amount of nutrients that are being applied to the soil. This will allow you to calculate the amount of additional fertilizer, if any, that is required for the planned crop. Knowledge of nutrient value of manure (commercial fertilizer equivalent) will also help in obtaining manure agreements or in selling manure off-farm.

Calibration

It is also important to measure the amount and uniformity of manure that is applied by calibrating application equipment. This will help to avoid over-application or under application of nutrients. Uniform application will help ensure consistent nutrient levels across the field.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

• start with average manure nutrient values. During land application take a representative-composite sample (each time the storage is emptied for 2 years or until you are satisfied that the analysis results are a good representation of the land-applied manure). For liquid manure fill a plastic sample jar half full (to allow for some expansion without leakage). Store sample in a cool place until sending by courier to a lab. The results will help determine how management on the farm impacts manure nutrients. Adjustments may be required to commercial nutrient application rates to meet crop needs
• analysis of manure should include total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and dry matter. Manure analysis can be done at any Ontario laboratory accredited to do soil analysis
• the manure analysis will give an indication of nitrogen levels, however significant losses can occur after application when manure is not promptly incorporated and is applied during the non-growing season, or during prolonged wet conditions
• only a small portion (approximately 20%) of organic N from manure is available for crops. This will vary with livestock type, bedding, weather conditions and organic matter levels in the soil. The remainder of the organic N becomes available over time
• measure the amount of manure/organic material that is applied. Manufacturers instructions/guidelines for equipment set-up are a good place to start, however calibrating the equipment in the field will give the most accurate measure of manure/organic material applied. When combined with an analysis, this is the best form of record keeping for rate and nutrients applied.

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Issue: 17-10 Soil conditions when manure/organic materials are applied

It is best to avoid spreading manure or organic materials on wet soil due to the increased risk of soil compaction. Compacted soils slow infiltration, increase runoff potential and affect overall soil health. Crops grown on compacted soils are often lower yielding and have higher potential for root diseases.

Avoid surface applying manure or organic materials to steeply sloping fields, especially near surface water. The risk of contamination due to runoff increases as % slope increases.

Avoid manure application if severe weather is expected, as this could lead to contaminated runoff reaching surface water. Where possible incorporate all manure before rainfall occurs.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Your land should meet all of the following criteria before applying manure:

• to reduce risk of compaction, soil conditions are dry enough to pre-till and/or cultivate
• the soil has no surface cracks
• fields have been tilled (for liquid manure) within a week prior to application, and/or manure application rates are low
• severe weather (heavy rain) is not expected for at least 24 hours. If there is a risk of severe weather (thunderstorms) manure should be immediately incorporated.

For More Information:

• Agronomy Guide for Field Crops, OMAFRA Publication Order No.811
• Best Management Practices Books: Soil Management, Order No. BMP 06, pp. 34-39

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Issue: 17-11 Timing of incorporation

With liquid manure, the largest portion (50% to over 75%) of the total nitrogen is in the ammonium form. This form is easily volatilized or lost to the air. When manure is not immediately incorporated, there is increased odour and risk for the ammonium portion of the nitrogen to escape into the air as a gas. This risk is highest when weather conditions are hot and dry. In these conditions surface applied liquid manure can lose up to 90% of the ammonium portion of the manure nitrogen within a few days of application.

Where manure is applied to living crops or high residue fields, volatilization losses can be significant, but lower than when applied to bare soil.

When manure is applied in weather conditions where soil/air temperatures are less than 10°C, microbial activity in the soil is reduced, which also reduces rate of volatilization.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Incorporate manure after spreading:

• incorporate liquid manure/organic materials within 24 hours, to minimize odour and ammonium nitrogen volatilization
• incorporate solid manure/organic materials to tilled land before rainfall.

Option #2 - Action

• manure/organic material applied to pasture, hay land or no till fields is spread at rates based on crop needs and site conditions.

For More Information:

• Soil Fertility Handbook, OMAFRA Publication 611
• Agronomy Guide for Field Crops, OMAFRA Publication 811
• Best Management Practices Book: Nutrient Management, Order No. BMP 05

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Issue: 17-12 Knowledge of responsible application methods

It is important for farm operators and custom manure applicators to attend educational courses on manure management. Preparing and following nutrient management plans reduces the risks associated with manure/organic material application. Increased knowledge of material nutrient content, soil and crop nutrient needs, and best management practices will ensure responsible application of manure.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Educate yourself on best management practices:

• Best Management Publications (with Agriculture Canada)
  • Manure Management,
  • Nutrient Management
  • Nutrient Management Planning
  • Buffer Strips
• OMAFRA factsheets

Attend education courses:

• OMAFRA's Fundamentals of Nutrient Management
• OMAFRA's Nutrient Management Software (NMAN)
• OMAFRA's Nutrient Management Regulations and Protocols Course
• OMAFRA's Land Application Courses (2005)

Apply the skills learned to your operation

For More Information:

• OMAFRA Nutrient Management Specialist
• OMAFRA website: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/agops/index.html

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Issue: 17-13 Winter application of manure

Occasionally the opportunity to apply manure during winter months with immediate incorporation occurs. However, manure application in winter should never be part of the plan, but rather only part of a contingency. When soils are frozen and/or snow covered and manure is surface applied, there is little opportunity for infiltration. Snowmelt conditions are often accompanied with rain events, which results in surface flow of contaminated water into surface water (rivers, streams) or concentrated nutrients in ponded areas.

When winter application is part of a contingency plan due to inadequate storage, assess the risks of your land base to determine the area with least risk for surface water contamination.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

• if manure must be land-applied during frozen or snow covered conditions, apply to landbase that is furthest away from surface water and has slope less than 3% within 100m of the top of the bank of surface water for liquid manure or fields with <6% slope for solid manure
• if manure must be land-applied, apply to fields that have less than 6 inches of snow cover
• incorporate liquid manure within six hours of application
• incorporate solid manure on the same day of application

Option #2 - Action

• when the storage becomes full and removal becomes necessary to avoid overflow, look for alternative storage space
• some farms that no longer house livestock or farms where the storage capacity exceeds manure produced may be available for short-term storage

For More Information:

• Best Management Practices Book: Nutrient Management, Order No. BMP 05

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Issue: 17-14 Transportation and transfer of manure from storage to field

It is extremely important to take steps to prevent a manure leak or spill from occurring. Spills can flow into surface water or leach into ground water sources which could contaminate drinking water supplies as well as damage aquatic habitats. Manure spills can also contaminate the soil by concentrating a large amount of nutrients making crop growth difficult.

When moving manure from storage to field, consider wear and tear (axle weights) on the roads. Manure should never cover road surfaces.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Report all spills immediately to the Ministry of the Environment:

• address any minor leaks immediately by repairing equipment and cleaning up manure
• have an emergency plan in place that outlines the steps to be taken if a manure spill occurs
• immediately report any spills to the Ministry of Environment spills action centre,
  1-800-268-6060
• eliminate the source of the spill by turning off all pumping equipment, plugging tile outlets, plugging leaks, and reconnecting broken lines
• contain the spill using earthen berms, bales of straw, or sand bags
• utilize spilled manure/organic material on land at proper application rates
• to prevent manure from covering road surfaces, consider leaving the area around the field entrance free of manure until the last load
• install a chimney or riser over the loading hole so that manure does not spill on the road when starting or stopping
• consider time of year for application and potential municipal half-axle load restrictions while frost is coming out of the ground.

For More Information:

• Farm Emergency Plans, 2005

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Issue: 17-15 Operation of liquid manure direct flow system

A spill occurring when a pumping system is left unattended can potentially result in large volumes of manure contaminating soil and water.

In order to prevent a spill, a direct flow system must have the capacity to be shutdown at a moment's notice. This can be accomplished by having two people with a radio link operating the system or by using a radio controlled shutdown system.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Be able to shutdown the pumping system within 1 minute:

• one person operating the system stays within clear view of the field applicator, manure storage and pump and is close enough to the system to shut it down within 1 minute of observing a problem.

Option #2 - Action

Be able to shutdown the pumping system at the first sign of any problem:

• two people operate the system with a radio link between them to shut down the system at the first sign of any problem

Option #3 - Action

Be able to shutdown the pumping system at the first sign of any problem :

• one person operates the system and can use a radio controlled shut down to stop pumping at the first sign of any problem.

For More Information:

• Automatic and Remote Controlled Shut-off Systems for Direct Flow Liquid Manure System - OMAFRA Factsheet - Order No. 04-091

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Issue: 17-16 Application of liquid manure/organic material on tile drained land

Tiled land has many benefits, however, when liquid manure is applied on tiled land, extra precautions must be undertaken to ensure that manure does not move through the macropores in the soil (preferential flow) directly to tile drains.

Macropores and cracks in the soil should be broken before liquid manure can move through them. Pathogens and nutrients, including ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus are the major concern for contaminating surface water.

Generally, the higher the application rate, or volume being applied, the greater the risk for preferential flow to tiles. When liquid or solid manure is applied followed by rainfall event, the risk is also increased for preferential flow. Consideration should be given to postponing application or incorporating manure as quickly as possible when rain is forecast.

If your land has tile drains, it is important to prevent manure nutrients from flowing through them. If manure contaminated water is entering tile drains, appropriate action should be taken to correct the problem..

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Monitor the tile drains and take action in the event of manure flow through tile drains:

• when testing a load over a "representative" tile and observing the tile outlet for manure or monitoring tiles during application the following is a suggested schedule for observation
• observe tiles 1 to 10 minutes after start of application
• observe tiles once each hour, if rate >20,000 gal/hr
• observe tiles once each 20,000 gallons
• where available automated continuous monitors could be used
• stop application if manure is observed in tiles
• block outlets
• if manure gets into surface water, (stream or river etc) then the Spills Action Centre should be the first call. The contingency plan from the NMP or the completed emergency plan from EFP will have the appropriate contacts
• remove contaminated water from the tile system. This can be done by removing the tile water using a vacuum tanker and re-applying to a landbase that has low risk of manure flowing to a tile.

Option #2 - Action

• cultivate or pre till (within a week of application) the soil before applying manure to prevent manure seepage into dry soil cracks or through earthworm or old root channels.

Option #3 - Action

When tile outlet locations are not known prevent manure from entering tile drainage systems in the first place:

• apply manure at low rates - less than 3,600 gal/ac and away from tile drain inlets, especially in no-till fields.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, 2002, Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended, and associated protocols
• OMAFRA Agricultural Engineer or Nutrient Management Specialist

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Off-farm Sources of Nutrients

Issue: 17-17 Sewage biosolids or treated septage, food processing wastes municipal or industrial compost

Off-farm sources of nutrients can be used as a nutrient source for cropland. Before application, a Certificate of Approval must be obtained from the Ontario Ministry of Environment. Off-farm source materials have restrictions and/or limits for metal content, maximum application rates, time of application and separation distances that can be more restrictive than those for manure application.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Make sure you obtain all required permits and meet all regulations and observe application setbacks:

• all non agricultural source materials must have a certificate of approval from the Ministry of the Environment before land application
• crop nutrient needs from non agricultural nutrient sources have been accounted for in determining additional nutrients needed from fertilizer. Where non agricultural sourced nutrients such as sewage biosolids were applied in previous 5 years credit should be given for subsequent crops
• application setback distance to surface water as determined in the NMP/CofA is met or is at least 20m (66 ft) and application setback distances to wells are at least 15m (50 ft) from drilled wells, 90m (300 ft) from dug wells and 100m (330 ft) from municipal wells.

For More Information:

• Guidelines for the Utilization on Agricultural Lands of Biosolids and Other Wastes (with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment) - available at http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/3425e.pdf

Infosheet Table of Contents

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