Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Right Timing of Nutrient Application

Nutrient Application - Timing Matters

Timing matters when it comes to applying manure and other nutrients. Phosphorus in manure and other nutrients can be lost from runoff when applied at the wrong time, meaning a loss of nutrients for you and a greater risk to the environment, such as algal blooms and reduced water quality in our Great Lakes. This includes when applied:

• on frozen and snow covered ground
• right before it rains
• when soil is saturated

Applying at the right time is the right thing to do

Consider the 4R's: apply the right nutrients at the right rate, at the right time and at the right place.

There are many ways you can manage your nutrients without spreading at the wrong time. Visit the Nutrient Management web page for resources to help you determine what you can do for your operation. Contact a nutrient management consultant for help with nutrient management planning and to see what alternatives will work for your operation.

Funding

You may be eligible for Growing Forward 2 (GF2) or Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI) funding to help manage your nutrients. Visit our website for more information about GF2. Visit the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association website for more information about GLASI programs.

Some conservation authorities have funding available for environmental projects. Contact the conservation authority in your area for more information.

Resources

Manure and nutrient management

• Manure Management
• Nutrient Management
• Preparing a Nutrient Management Strategy/Plan

Soil health

• Soil Management: Soil Health Check
• Choosing a Cover Crop
• Soil Fertility and Nutrient Use: Manure Management
• Legacy Phosphorus
• Ontario Crop IPM blog post: Macro and Secondary Nutrients - Soil Diagnostics

Nutrients and phosphorus runoff management

• Hort Matters newsletter article: Best Management Practices for Phosphorus - avoiding profit loss and improving soil health and local water quality
• Crop Talk newsletter article: Managing Phosphorus to Maintain Yield and Water Quality

Publications

• Winter Application of Manure and Other ASM
• A Phosphorus Primer
• Manure Management for Farms Producing More Manure Than Their Crops Need
• Constructing a Permanent Solid Nutrient Storage Facility for ASM
• Temporary Field Storage of Solid Manure or Other Agricultural Source Material
• Manure Management
• Understanding When Farms Require a NMS, NMP or NASM Plan
• Available Nutrients and Value for Manure From Various Livestock Types
• Nutrient Management Planning
• Soil Sampling and Analysis for Managing Crop Nutrients
• Grassed Waterways
• Determining the Phosphorus Index for a Field

Developed in co-operation with Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Pork, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Beef Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency.