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

• Manure Composting as a Pathogen Reduction Strategy - OMAFRA Fact Sheet #05-021
• Agricultural Composting Basics - OMAFRA Fact Sheet #05-023
• Nutrient Management - Best Management Practices Series
• Guidelines for the Utilization of Biosolids and Other Wastes on Agricultural Land
• Interim Guidelines for the Production and Use of Aerobic Compost in Ontario

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