Nutrient Application Technician under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and O. Reg. 267/03, as amended Core Competencies, First Edition, January 2007

1. Introduction
2. Category 1: General Information
3. Category 2: Sensitive Features and Setbacks
4. Category 3: Application
5. Category 4: Recordkeeping
6. Abbreviations and Definitions
   

Introduction

The purpose of the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA), Ontario Regulation 267/03 as amended, and the associated Protocols is to provide for the management of materials containing nutrients in ways that will enhance protection of the natural environment and provide a sustainable future for agricultural operations and rural development. This legislation identifies a number of management practices that require a certificate or licence.

This document identifies the skills and knowledge (defined as competencies) that are required for the Nutrient Application Technician Licence (s. 108). Individuals who apply materials containing nutrients to land on farm operations subject to O. Reg 267/03, as amended and are required to have a Nutrient Management Plan must have a Nutrient Application Technician Licence.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has developed a training course that will assist audiences in obtaining the skills and knowledge to fulfill a portion but by no means all of the required competencies. Training materials for this licence include:

• Nutrient Application Technician Workbook
• Nutrient Application Technician DVD

It is expected that individuals wishing to obtain a Nutrient Application Technician Licence already possess the basic knowledge and skill required to apply nutrients to land. This certificate and these competencies focus on the requirements under O. Reg. 267/03, as amended. Candidates seeking certification may need to further develop their knowledge and skills by additional means (such as practical experience, self study, additional courses, etc.). There are also many OMAFRA technical publications that provide additional information for study purposes.

The main competencies listed in this document will be assessed during the test that must be taken and passed in order to qualify for a Nutrient Application Technician Licence. The test for the Nutrient Application Technician Licence is based on the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, O. Reg. 267/03, as amended, the two associated Protocols and other knowledge required to implement the nutrient management legislation. Candidates for the Nutrient Application Technician Licence are directed to this list of competencies as a study guide. Individuals writing the test will be provided with copies of the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, O, Reg. 267/03, as amended, the associated Protocols and the Nutrient Application Technician Workbook at the time of the test.

These competencies complement the document entitled “Performance Guidelines for Nutrient Application Technicians.” The Performance Guidelines go beyond the skills and knowledge outlined in the Core Competencies document and are intended to provide a consistent set of value-added principles for certified technicians that reflect “best management practices” for the industry. These Performance Guidelines can be found online at www.omafra.on.gov.ca, by clicking on “Agriculture”, then “Nutrient Management Information,” and then “Certification and Training”.

Under Section 109 of O. Reg. 267/03, as amended, the Director can amend, suspend or cancel a certificate or licence issued if the holder of the certificate or licence:

• contravenes the Act or Regulation; or
• in the opinion of the Director, has demonstrated incompetence or bad faith in carrying out the activity in respect to which the certificate or licence is issued.

It is the responsibility of each Nutrient Application Licence holder to maintain his or her knowledge and competency with respect to the Act and Regulation and to conduct their activities in a competent manner and in good faith.

1. Outline the purpose and goals of the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA).
2. Name the roles and responsibilities of a “technician” under Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended.
3. Identify when a Nutrient Application Technician’s licence is required.
4. Be able to look up pertinent information and references in the Nutrient Management Act, Regulation and Protocol documents.
5. List examples of agricultural source materials.
6. List examples of term non-agricultural source material.
7. Recognize the term nutrient.
8. Recognize the term prescribed materials.
9. Recognize the concept of adverse effect and how as a technician you could potentially cause (or avoid) an adverse effect.
10. List the three regulations under O. Reg. 267/03, as amended that must be followed when applying nutrients to all farms in Ontario.

11. Recognize key terms such as setback, well, surface water, not surface water, vegetated buffer zone, and top of bank.
12. Identify significant features in the field such as wells, surface water, tile drain inlets, hickenbottoms
13. List the type of factors that influence setbacks.
14. List the different types of wells identified in the Regulation.
15. Be able to find the regulatory setback distances for all types of nutrients (ASM, NASM, commercial fertilizer, compost) in relationship to:
    1. all classifications of wells;
    2. surface water.

16. Recognize the purpose of a nutrient management plan.
17. List the key elements of a nutrient management plan that you will need to apply nutrients in the field.
18. Identify the term “application rate”.
19. Identify factors that affect application rate.
20. Recognize the importance of calibrating field equipment.
21. Recognize the importance of maintaining an accurate spread pattern.
22. Be able to maintain an accurate spread pattern in the field.
23. Be able to review and accurately follow NMP documents in the field.
24. Be able to interpret a field sketch.
25. Identify regulatory restrictions for winter spreading.
26. List the acceptable methods for applying nutrients with high trajectory guns and direct flow application equipment.
27. Relate what you will do if the NMP does not accurately reflect the farm operation.

Contingency Plans

28. Be able to follow your company’s contingency plan for common nutrient application activities.
29. Be able to implement a farm’s or a company’s unique contingency plan in the event of a spill on the property.
30. Recognize your role when faced with a contingency situation (e.g. a spill or situation where you are asked to do something in violation of O. Reg. 267/03 or other applicable legislation).
31. Cite the spills action centre phone number.
32. Identify what you should do in the event of a spill.
33. Identify who to notify when you enact the contingency plan.

34. Explain the importance of good recordkeeping.
35. Identify your recordkeeping requirements according to the Regulation.
36. Be able to keep accurate, detailed records.

Abbreviations and Definitions:

Please read this section carefully to ensure understanding of the terms used in this document.

Abbreviations

In this document, unless specified otherwise:

“Act” means the Nutrient Management Act, 2002.

“Regulation” means Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended.

“Required” means as required by the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 or O. Reg. 267/03, as amended.

“Acceptable” means meets the requirements outlined by the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 or O. Reg. 267/03, as amended.

“Nutrient Management Plan” means a Nutrient Management Plan as outlined in O. Reg. 267/03, as amended.

Definitions

The following terms used in this document are defined in the Nutrient Management Act, 2002:

• Nutrient
• Nutrient Management Plan

The following terms used in this document are defined in O. Reg. 267/03, as amended:

• Nutrient
• Agricultural Source Materials
• Non-Agricultural Source Materials
• Prescribed Material
• Professional Engineer

The following terms used in this document are described in the Nutrient Management Protocol:

• Field Sketch
• Setbacks
• Slope