Nutrient Management Protocol
for Ontario Regulation 267/03 Made under the Nutrient Management
Act, 2002 - Part 8: NASM Plans
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| Part 11 |
Part 12 |
Part 13 |
8.1 Review, Updating and Summary of a NASM Plan
8.2 Required Contents of a NASM Plan
8.1 Review, Updating and Summary of a NASM Plan
A NASM plan can be prepared for one year or up to five years. If
a NASM plan has a duration of more than one year then it must be
reviewed by the operator annually to ensure that it accurately reflects
the anticipated operation on the farm unit during the following
year. The NASM plan must be reviewed and confirm activity that took
place in the preceding year. The summary should include the details
of the application such as the source, type and quantity of NASM
applied on each field within the NASM application area and the nutrient
and metal loading rates of the application. This review and summary
can be used to explain any difference between the projections in
the NASM plan and the records kept of actual events.
8.2 Required Contents of a NASM Plan
8.2 Required Contents of a NASM Plan
8.2.1 Components of the NASM Plan
The following components must be in included in the NASM plan:
- A list of the sources of NASM
- Analysis of applicable parameters such as nutrient content or
nutrient values, tests for metals, pathogens and other parameters
- Establishment of beneficial use of the NASM
- Determination of maximum application rate as determined by the
limits set in section 8.2.5
- NASM application area information including sufficient information
to locate the property ( i.e. lot and concession, 911 address,
tax roll assessment number , property identification number)
- Cropping practices
- Nutrient application
- Land base information
- List of storages if used for NASM including locations, type
of storage (temporary/permanent), description of permanent storage
facilities (storage tanks, lagoons) and storage capacity
8.2.2 NASM Sources
The NASM plan must list the source of the material that is to be
land applied including the NASM Category, metals concentration,
pathogen levels and odour classifications. The information should
include the type and location of the generator.
8.2.3 Nutrient Information, Analysis of Nutrient Content
A nutrient analysis for each of the prescribed materials listed
in the NASM plan must be provided. The nutrient analysis can be
determined by conducting laboratory analysis (required for NASM)
or by applying the average values in Table 2 found in the Nutrient
Management Tables document only for agricultural source materials.
Sampling and laboratory analysis must be done by an accredited
laboratory using proper methods as set out in Parts IX and IX.1
of the Regulation and the Sampling and Analysis Protocol.
8.2.4 Beneficial Use
There is a general prohibition based on beneficial use. The material
must be able to demonstrate that it is for the purpose of improving
the growing of agricultural crops.
NASM can not be applied to agricultural land unless it meets at
least one of the criteria in Section 98.0.6 of the Regulation. In
order to determine the plant available nitrogen (PAN), the plant
available phosphorous (PAP) and the plant available potassium (PAK)
the following formulae apply:
- Liquid NASM:
- total concentration of PAN in mg/L + PAP in mg/L +PAK in
mg/L must be greater than 140 mg per Litre
- PAN (Plant Available Nitrogen) is calculated as follows:
- (Ammonia-N + ammonium-N) + (nitrite-N + nitrate-N)
+ (0.3*(Organic-N) = PAN
- Organic-N = ( Total Kjeldahl nitrogen - (ammonia
+ ammonium-N))
- PAP (Plant Available Phosphate) is calculated as follows:
- (0.4*(Total Phosphorus * 2.29)) = PAP
- PAK (Plant Available Potassium) is calculated as
follows:
- (0.9*(Total Potassium * 1.2)) = PAK
- Solid NASM:
- total concentration of PAN in mg/Kg (calculated on a dry
weight basis) + PAP in mg/Kg (calculated on a dry weight basis)
+PAK in mg/Kg (calculated on a dry weight basis)must be greater
than 13 000 mg per Kg calculated on a dry weight basis.
8.2.5 Nutrient Application Rates
The underlying principle is that a number of maximum application
rates are determined based on a number of criteria (metal, nutrients
etc.) and the most restrictive application rate will govern.
A rate of application for each prescribed material intended to
be applied to land must be determined for each part of the land
managed in the NASM application area (for example: each field, group
of fields or field section). Application rates are based on many
factors including: the characteristics of the land and cropping
and nutrient information set out in the NASM plan. The application
rates also are balanced using the agronomic and crop removal balances
as described below in 8.2.8.1 and 8.2.8.2. The NASM plan must show
the number of times that nutrients will be applied in the year in
order to demonstrate the maximum rate per application of nutrients.
In addition, the NASM plan must show the total amount that is expected
to be applied in the year as the maximum annual nutrient application
rate.
There is an overarching upper limit that applies to all NASM as
outlined in Section 98.0.7 of the Regulation:
- the maximum total yearly application of PAN, as calculated in
8.2.4, is equivalent to crop requirement or
crop removal but can not exceed 200 kg/ha in any 12 month consecutive
period
- the maximum total application rate for phosphate is that which
results in a crop removal balance plus 390 kilograms or less of
phosphate per hectare over any consecutive 5 year period (see 8.2.8.2)
8.2.5.1 Category 1 NASM Materials
These materials have two possible methods of determining maximum
application rates that could govern:
- Absolute limit:
A maximum application rate of 20 tonne of Category 1 NASM /hectare
in any consecutive 12 month period for all Category 1 NASM calculated
on a wet weight basis or
- Sampling method:
If the 20 tonnes are to be exceeded, then associated sampling
and analysis will be required for PAN and PAP as outlined in Section
8.2.5.2.
8.2.5.2 Category 2 and 3 NASM Materials
Category 2 and 3 NASM material application rates are limited by
7 possible parameters:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- PAP (Plant Available Phosphate) is calculated as follows:
- (0.4*(Total Phosphorus * 2.29)) = PAP for the year of
application
- (0.8*(Total Phosphorus * 2.29)) = PAP for the longer
term
- Category 2 & 3 maximum regulated metal loading rate:
With respect to the 11 regulated metals there are two prohibitions:
- If any metal concentration in the soil exceeds the amounts
set out in the table in the Regulation section 98.0.12(3 ) then
NASM that is CM2 cannot be applied unless approved by the Director.
- If any metal concentration in the NASM exceeds the CM2 limit
as set out in Schedule 5, Table 2 in the Regulation then NASM
cannot be applied
To determine a maximum application rate in relation to the
regulated metals the idea is that you add the content (kg)
of each regulated metal for all NASM that is CM2 being applied
to the land in any consecutive 5 year period and the total
value can not exceed the 5 year metal loading set out in
the table in the Regulation section 98.0.12(1). If the combination
of the metal content in the NASM and the application rate
exceeds the limits in the table in 98.0.12(3), then the
application rate can be lowered until the level is not exceeded.
This lower application rate would be the maximum application
rate based on that particular regulated metal.
- Sodium (Na) Loading Maximum application rate (where the tables
in Schedule 4 of the Regulation indicates sampling is required
or if the Director indicates sampling is required):
The maximum application rate for NASM based on Sodium will
depend on the Hydrologic Soil Group where the NASM will
be applied. The Hydrologic Soil Group information can be
found in the Drainage Guide.
- The idea is that you calculate the Na content for all
NASM for which sodium testing is required:
- either identified in listed materials in Schedule
4, Tables 2 and 3 in the Regulation or
- for unlisted materials, set out in an approved NASM
plan,
being applied to the land in any consecutive 12 month
period, and the total value can not exceed the numbers
set out below:
- If your land is identified as being a Hydrologic
Soil Group A or B the limit is 200 kg Na/ha/yr (in
any consecutive12 month period)
- If your land is identified as being a Hydrologic
Soil Group C or D the limit is 500 kg Na/ha/yr (in
any consecutive 12 month period)
- Fats, Oils Grease (FOG) Loading Maximum application rate (where
the tables in schedule 4 of the Regulation indicates sampling
is required or if the Director indicates sampling is required);
- The maximum application rate for NASM based on FOG will
depend on the Hydrologic Soil Group where the NASM will be
applied. The Hydrologic Soil Group information can be found
in Drainage Guide.
- You add the FOG content for all NASM for which FOG testing
is required and are to be applied to the land in any consecutive
12 month period and the total value can not exceed the numbers
set out below:
- If your land is identified as being a Hydrologic Soil
Group C or D the limit is 2500 kg FOG/ha/yr (in any consecutive
12 month period)
- If your land is identified as being a Hydrologic Soil
Group A or B the limit is 5000 kg FOG/ha/yr (in any consecutive
12 month period)
- Boron (B) Loading Maximum application rate (where the tables
in schedule 4 of the Regulation indicates sampling is required
or if the Director indicates sampling is required);
- You calculate the B content for all NASM for which boron
testing is required and which are being applied to the land
in any consecutive 12 month period and the total value can
not exceed 1 kg B/hectare/yr.
-
One additional factor for calculating maximum application rates
for sewage biosolids or materials containing human body waste;
-
In addition to the above where you are land applying sewage
biosolids or materials containing human body waste there
is a maximum application rate for sewage biosolids or materials
containing human body waste so that they can only be applied
at a rate of up to 22 tonnes (dry weight)/ha/5yr (in any
5 years)
NOTE: "sewage biosolids or materials containing
human body waste" includes materials that result from
the processing of materials that include sewage biosolids
or human body waste.
As well as the standard 7 limits listed above, the Director
could assign additional tests as a condition of the NASM
plan approval.
8.2.6 NASM Application Area Information
All land identified in the farm unit that will receive NASM must
be included in a NASM plan if NASM are to be applied to this land
during the plan period. The farm unit operation identifier should
be specified and its relationship to other land within the farm
unit should be shown.
8.2.6.1 Field Properties
The following field properties must be provided in the NASM plan
for each NASM application area identified in the farm unit:
- The total tillable area for each field.
- The total tillable area available for nutrient application.
Note: this is determined by subtracting the area not available
for nutrient application due to required setbacks from the total
tillable area for each field.
- The percentage of maximum sustained slope near the surface water
if the field is within 150 metres of surface water.
- Predominant soil series and soil texture for the field.
8.2.6.2 Field Sketch
A sketch for each field in the NASM application area is required.
The sketch must be prepared based on an on-site assessment. The
sketch must include the date the on-site assessment was done and
the name of the person conducting the assessment. The sketch must
address the following field components:
- field identifier (from Farm Unit Declaration)
- sections within the field, if the field has more than one section,
including individual field locations and boundaries
- whether the field has tile drains and, if so, the location of
the tile inlets and tile outlets
- the following features must also be included on the sketch (or
where the features do not exist, a statement indicating this must
be included):
- Areas where the soil depth is less than 30 cm and rock outcrops
- Areas subject to ponding
- the location of non-agricultural land uses,(dwellings,
residential areas and commercial, community or institutional
use)
- the location of any municipal wells within 100 metres of
the field boundary,
- the location of all other known wells within 90 metres
of the field boundary,
- the location of all surface water within 150 metres of
the NASM application area,
- the maximum sustained slopes within 150 metres of the top
of bank of all surface water, and
- the separation distances for surface water required to
meet the regulatory requirements.
8.2.6.3 Soil Sampling and Analysis
Soil sampling and analysis is to be performed according to Part
IX of the Regulation.
8.2.7 Cropping Practices, Crop Rotation and Yields
The following information is required for each field in the NASM
plan:
- crop rotation for the duration of the NASM plan;
- expected planting and harvest dates;
- expected crop yields for the duration of the NASM plan; and
- previous years' crops.
8.2.8 Nutrient Application
Commercial Fertilizer Application
All liquid and solid commercial fertilizer to be applied must be
identified for the entire duration of the NASM plan. This includes,
but is not limited to: starter, pop-up, side-dressed, broadcast,
banded, foliar, fertigated, incorporated or unincorporated applications.
For each application, the application date, incorporation method
and amount of nutrient application must be identified.
Application of Prescribed Materials and Limits
For each prescribed material listed in section
8.2.3 above, "Nutrient Information, Analysis of Nutrient Content"
the NASM plan must identify the following for the entire duration
of the NASM plan:
- prescribed material type and form;
- expected application date;
- expected application method;
- expected timing for incorporation; and
- expected application frequency;
Note: Each of the components in this Part apply to all
nutrients including agricultural source materials, non-agricultural
source materials, compost that meets requirements for Category AA
or A compost in Part II of the Compost Standards, for the period
until January 1, 2014 compost that meets the criteria set out in
subsection 1(1.1) of the Regulation and commercial fertilizers.
The nutrient application rate must be calculated in accordance with
Sampling, Analysis and Quality Standards, and Land Application Rates
in the regulation.
8.2.8.1 Agronomic and Crop Removal Balance of Nitrogen
To determine the limits for nitrogen application you must calculate
the Agronomic Balance and, if needed, the Crop Removal Balance as
set out below:
- Agronomic Balance
Agronomic Balance is the total available nitrogen from all applied
nutrients minus crop production requirements (these requirements
may be based on OMAFRA crop fertilizer recommendations).
- Crop Removal Balance
Total available nitrogen minus the nitrogen removed from the field
with the crop when it is harvested.
8.2.8.2 Agronomic and Crop Removal Balance for Phosphorus
To determine the limits for phosphorus application you must calculate
the Agronomic Balance and, if needed, the Crop Removal Balance as
set out below:
- Agronomic Balance
Agronomic Balance is the total available phosphate from all applied
nutrients (calculated using 40% of the total phosphate in prescribed
materials for the year it is applied) minus the crop production
requirements (these requirements may be based on OMAFRA crop fertilizer
recommendations).
- Crop Removal Balance
Total available phosphate (calculated using 80% of the total phosphate
in prescribed material applied because phosphorus becomes available
over time for use by future crops) minus the phosphate removed
from the field with the crop when it is harvested.
8.2.9 Land base Information
Demonstration of Adequate Land base
The NASM plan must demonstrate that a sufficient land base exists
for the application of all the nutrients identified for land application
to the NASM application area so that none of the allowable application
rates are exceeded and all of the setbacks are met.
8.2.10 Storages
If any NASM material is to be stored on the farm and the storage
was built after June 30, 2003 or is proposed to be constructed,
then it is subject to the Part VIII requirements of the Regulation
and should be shown on the NASM plan, unless the storage facility
is subject to a certificate of approval or provisional certificate
of approval under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act.
NASM storage facilities on the NASM plan area must be listed. For
each storage facility under Part VII of the Regulation, a written
description is required that gives the capacity, dimensions and
type of storage (for example: circular, rectangle, pile, covered,
exposed to precipitation). Nutrient storage facilities must comply
with "Part VIII: Siting and Construction Standards". In
the case of the NASM storages there should also be a list of associated
NASM application areas where the NASM will be applied.
