Nutrient Management, Water Quality, and Agricultural Research and Resources

  • The Nutrient Reduction Project Catalogue 2018 is a comprehensive inventory of programs and projects currently underway across the western portion of the Canadian Lake Erie Watershed, that are aimed at reducing phosphorus loads entering Lake Erie.  The catalogue provides a mechanism to track and share information about projects that have been or are being implemented in the watershed.  The catalogue will also be used as a tool to ensure that the best practices required to achieve phosphorus load reductions are in place and to help identify opportunities for collaboration. The catalogue supports the actions under the Canada-Ontario Lake Erie Domestic Action Plan for reducing phosphorus loadings to Lake Erie with the goal of decreasing the presence of harmful and nuisance algal blooms as well as zones of low oxygen (hypoxia) that threaten both the ecosystem and human health. Compiled by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. Funded by Environment & Climate Change Canada.
  • Lake Erie Binational Nutrient Management Strategy
  • Oxford Innovative Nitrogen Management Strategy – The County of Oxford is leading a project to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of innovative nitrogen management practices for crop producers and the impact on drinking water sources. This is the first research of this type being done in Ontario.
  • Watershed-based Best Management Practices Evaluation (WBBE) Project – North Kettle Creek Watershed – The objective of WBBE was to demonstrate the environmental and economic effectiveness of best management practices at both farm and small watershed scale. The project was undertaken through the Thames River Clearwater Revival, with funding from MOECC’s Showcasing Water Innovation Fund. Case studies are listed under “studies and technical reports.”
  • Landowner Attitudes and Behaviour Research – This study of rural landowners in the Upper Thames and Grand River watersheds provides insight into the conservation behaviour and attitudes of the 3,200 plus survey respondents, with specific emphasis on a subset of more than 600 respondents that are considered to be farmers.  The information can help guide the design of stewardship and education programs.
  • www.farmlandagreements.ca – In rural Ontario today, up to 35% of farmland is rented and this topic is top-of-mind. Good farmland lease agreements are an important part of protecting our soil and water resources. Farm & Food Care Ontario has joined with several partners, including the UTRCA, to create an online resource hub for farmers and farmland renters. The website covers many topics including farmland agreements, how to improve the land you rent, and renting to farmers. The goal is to protect all parties involved while promoting good soil and water conservation strategies as part of the lease.
  • manurenet.ca – a website for bioenergy and manure management information
  • Archives of agri-environmental programs in Ontario (pre-2000) – archive of water quality and agricultural research reports starting in the 1970s, with the PLUARG studies. The UTRCA was a partner in many of these still relevant projects. Bruce Bowman, a retired Ag Canada researcher, compiled this archive along with the University of Guelph in an effort to make these reports known/available.
  • Characterizing the exposure of streams in southern Ontario to agricultural pesticides (Raby et al., 2000)
  • Livestock Manure Pollution Prevention Project