Advantage Good Agricultural
Practices Manual
8.3 Nutrient Use
Incorrect application of nutrients can contaminate crops.
This
Good Agricultural Practice applies to:
All farms that apply nutrients to
crops.
Useful References 
What needs to be done
Apply all nutrients in a way that will
not pose a hazard to food.
How to do it
For all nutrients
Generally
speaking, the risk of applying commercial fertilizer to crops is low. Use only
fertilizers and soil additives that comply with the legal limits for heavy metals.
Use
an application method or growing practice that minimizes the chance of contamination
by preventing the nutrient source from coming into direct contact with the edible
part of the crop. An example of this would be growing crops on plastic.
Where
possible, check purchased nutrients for documentation from the supplier that identifies
the origin, treatment used, tests performed and the results thereof.
Schedule
applications in relation to both weather forecasts (i.e. rain) and current soil
moisture levels to avoid run-off.
Estimate soil fertility levels and crop
needs by regular soil sampling and analysis, and follow recommended rates to avoid
excess nutrient application.
Calibrate spreading equipment to ensure proper
application rates.
Applying compost
Become informed about proper
treatment procedures (e.g. composting) that are designed to reduce or eliminate
pathogens.
If purchasing compost, ask for a certificate of analysis or documentation
of treatment method to ensure the composting process is complete.
If treating
manure on-farm, record the treatment procedures (e.g. composting, anaerobic digestion),
detailing the date treated and the method used.
If treating manure on-farm,
clean any equipment that is used to handle raw manure before handling finished
compost so as not to re-introduce pathogens.
Applying manure
Incorporate
manure into the soil within 24 hours to minimize contamination to adjacent crops
from wind drift or run-off.
Take precautions when using untreated or partially
treated manure (e.g. aged) on fruit and vegetables that can be consumed raw or
with minimal processing. For example:
- For crops that are not
eaten raw or where the manure does not come into contact with the edible part:
apply manure when the time between application and harvest is greater than three
months
- For crops that can be eaten raw and where the manure can come
into contact with the edible part: apply manure when the time between application
and harvest is greater than 4 months
- After harvesting the crop: apply
manure as a fall application
- In non-fruiting years for perennial crops:
apply manure when the application is not in the year of harvest
When
using non-agricultural source materials (NASM)
- Apply NASM materials
at recommended application rates and according to provincial regulations.
- Before
NASM can be applied to agricultural land, various approvals for the handling,
storage and land application of the material may also be required. Contact your
local District or Area Office of the Ministry of the Environment for more information
on the requirements and standards affecting operations that apply waste materials
to land.
- Follow mandatory waiting periods between NASM application and
harvest or grazing.
- If dealing with a broker, get an analysis for all
NASM products applied to? the fields, as well as copies of all approval documents.
Terms used in this Good Agricultural Practice
Non-agricultural
source material (NASM): Includes sewage biosolids, wood chips, pulp and
paper biosolids, food processing wastes and any other material that is not from
an agricultural source but can be applied to land as a nutrient.
Nutrient:
Any material applied to the land for the purpose of improving the growing of agricultural
crops.
Records to keep
- Nutrient Application Record. We have provided a record
template for your use in the Training and Support Tools section.
A printable
version is also available. Or keep your own record that includes:or
your own record that includes:
- Application date
- Type of nutrient
- Amount
applied
- Weather conditions
- Time to incorporation
- Field
identification, location and size
- Initials of applicator
Note:
The record requirements above can also be listed in a completed and approved Nutrient
Management Plan.
- Organic Material Treatment Record. We have provided a record
template for your use in the Training and Support Tools section.
A printable
version is also available. Or keep your own record that includes:
- Date
- Temperature
- Turning frequency
- Initials
Important numbers
Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300
Ministry of the Environment: 1-800-565-4923
Nutrient Management Info
Line: 1-866-242-4460
Did you know?
Composing manure
or maximizing the time between application of manure and harvest significantly
reduces the risk that pathogenic microbes will contaminate the crops.
If you need an audit
Be prepared for the auditor to review:
- Nutrient Application Records
- Organic Material Treatment Records, where
necessary
- If compost was purchased, a letter of assurance or analysis
from the supplier
- If NASM is used, a letter of analysis as well as all
approval documents
Laws and regulations that apply
Producers
should use only fertilizers and supplements that have been registered, packaged
and labelled to prescribed standards in the Fertilizers Act, R.S. 1985, c.
F-10 and Fertilizers Regulations, C.R.C., c.666.
The use of
organic nutrients on-farm in Ontario is governed by the Nutrient Management
Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 4 and Regulation 267/03, which specify which agricultural
operation should have an approved Nutrient Management Strategy or Plan and other
rules for the management and use of nutrients on-farm. In addition, the Environmental
Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19, and the Ontario Water Resources Act,
R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.40 also apply to inputs used on land.
Legislation
to be aware of
The Guidelines for the Utilization of Biosolids and Other
Wastes on Agricultural Land, Publication #3425 sets out the conditions under
which biosolids and other wastes may be used. They must be designated as "wastes"
in the General - Waste Management Regulation under the Environmental
Protection Act, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 347 and not exempted from Part V of the
Act and that regulation (i.e. agricultural wastes). A proposal must come to the
Ministry of the Environment, which is responsible for issuing the required Certificate(s)
of Approval and other permits under Part V of the Environmental Protection
Act. Note that revisions to the requirements are made periodically as new
knowledge and understanding is gained on the application of wastes on agricultural
land. Therefore it is important that the user confirm that these requirements
still apply.
Other legislation to be aware of:
Contact the Ministry
of the Environment for guidelines that relate to specific aspects of nutrient
management, for example, Interim Guidelines for the Production and Use of Aerobic
Compost in Ontario (O. Reg. 267/03, s.43 (6);O. Reg. 447/03, s.20; O. Reg. 511/05).
Proceed
to 8.4 Harvest Tools and Containers
