Project Guidelines and Application
Manure Management
The goal of this subcategory is to incentivize the spreading of manure of fields with soil test phosphorus levels of 20 ppm or less (Olsen P/BiCarb), helping farmers enhance soil fertility and optimize nutrient management.
Rates
In-Season (April 1 – August 31)
- $60/acre (Soil P 20 ppm or less)
- $20/acre (Soil P above 21-50 ppm)
Early Fall (September 1 – October 31)
- $40/acre (Soil P 20 ppm or less)
- $20/acre (Soil P above 21-50 ppm)
Maximum $20,000
- The per acreage rate can only be applied once per field annually.
- This rate cannot be combined with subsurface P application on the same field in the same year.
- Funding cannot be stacked with other funding programs.
Requirements
Applicants must meet all the following:
Soil Test
- Soil test completed within the past three years
- Minimum of 1 composite sample per 25 acres
- Average soil phosphorus level will determine eligibility and funding rate
- Note UTRCA may collect samples to verify eligibility
Crop Fertility Plan
- Provide a crop fertility plan prepared by a Certified Crop Advisor, an agronomist, or by the applicant using AgriSuite – Field Management
- The plan may be an existing document, or one developed through the phosphorus program
Manure Application Rate
The application rate must not exceed the nitrogen recommendations for either the current crop or the next planned crop.
Restrictions on Surface Application
- Do not surface apply on soils that are frozen, snow-covered, or saturated
- Do not surface apply on fields where more than 1/2 inch of precipitation is expected within the next 24 hours
Nutrient Management Compliance
All nutrient applications must adhere to the Nutrient Management Protocol for Ontario Regulation 267/03 under the Nutrient Management Act, 2022.
Specific Application Methods
Liquid Manure
Injection/Incorporation
- Must be injected or incorporated into the soil within 24 hours (applicable between April 1-August 31)
- When incorporating, ensure the manure is fully mixed into the soil using a full-width disturbance tillage tool
- If manure is applied after crop harvest, a cover crop or a winter cereal crop (e.g., winter wheat) must be planted
Surface Application on Living Reside
Alternatively, liquid manure may be surface applied on fields with at least 75% living residue cover – but only between June 15th and August 15rst
Solid Manure
Incorporation
- Must be incorporated into the soil within 24 hours (applicable between April 1 – August 31)
- When incorporating, ensure the manure is fully mixed into the soil using a full-width disturbance tillage tool
- If manure is applied after crop harvest, a cover crop or a winter cereal crop (e.g., winter wheat) must be planted
Surface Application on Residue
- Alternatively, it can be surface applied on fields with at least 75% residue cover (living or dead) — but only between April 20 and August 31
- If manure is applied after crop harvest, a cover crop or a winter cereal crop (e.g., winter wheat) must be planted
Ineligible Practices
- Surface application after September 1 is not eligible unless manure is incorporated within 24hrs and a cover crop is planted
- Volunteer wheat is not considered a cover crop or adequate cover
- Fields with a manure storage or livestock facility on the same property are not eligible
- Projects where manure is sourced from outside of the Upper Thames watershed
- Fields where manure applications have previously been funded through the program, unless P has been fully utilized
- Fields with fewer than 1 composite sample for every 25 acres. Example: a 100 acre field must have at least 4 composite soil samples taken
Application and Review Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Submit your application
UTRCA will review, and follow up with their decision
Once available, submit crop fertility plan and soil test results
Complete your project
Submit supporting documentation and receive payment. Supporting document will include:
- Photos of implementation
- Photo of field residue
- Invoice from custom operator