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Upper Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program

The Upper Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program is a new four-year program that offers incentives for cover crops, reducing tillage, 4R practices, manure management, as well as cost-share rates for a variety of practices.

Category Overview

Residue Cover

Eligible Projects

Rate

Limits

Guidelines

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

4R Phosphorus Management

Basic Requirement A Crop Fertility Plan is required for any field enrolled in a 4R Phosphorus Management category. Funding is available to update or create new plans. Existing plans can also be used if they meet the minimum criteria for a plan.

  • Soil tests for each field within last 3 years
  • Crop Fertility Plan must be prepared by a CCA, agronomist, nutrient management consultant, or the applicant  can prepare their own plan using the AgriSuite Field Management tool
  • Crop and yield goals
  • Recommendations consistent with OMAFA publications
  • All fertilizer and manure applications for the intended crop

If you plan to develop your own Crop Fertility Plan, visit AgriSuite (agrisuite.omadra.gov.on.ca) and use the Field Management tool.

Eligible Projects

Rate

Limits

Guidelines

Crop Fertility Planning and Soil Testing

Manure Management

Manure Sampling

Subsurface P Placement

Stacking Incentives

  • Crop Fertility Planning can be combined with any category.
  • Residue cover and 4R management categories can be combined on the same field.
  • Subsurface P placement cannot be combined with manure management on the same field.
  • Crop Fertility Planning can be combined with Manure Management or Subsurface P Placement.

Cost Sharing Opportunities

Eligible Projects

Rate

Limits

Guidelines

Clean Water Diversion

70%

$8,000

Erosion Control

70%

$8,000

Forestry and Tree Planting

80%

Innovative Actions

70%

$5,000

Restricting Access to Watercourse and Wetlands

70%

$5,000

Application and Review Process

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Review Project Guidelines

Submit an application

UTRCA will review, and follow up with you

Implement your project

Submit the Expense Claim Form, and provide documentation

UTRCA inspects the final project

Payment is issued

Participation and Data Sharing

By applying, you consent to UTRCA collecting, managing, and sharing project cost and crop management data with public and government partners to support watershed environmental goals. Data will be shared only in aggregate form, without business or personal identifiers. 

By participating, you acknowledge that UTRCA may collect photos and videos for social media or print use. You also agree to project inspections during normal business hours with reasonable notice. 

Important Notes

UTRCA Watershed Map

Before applying, ensure your project is within the Upper Thames River watershed. View map here.

Funding Limits

The maximum amount of funding that a farm business can receive over the course of the program is $75,000

Eligibility and Prioritization

Projects must be within the UTRCA watershed. Note that projects within the Municipality of South Huron are not eligible. Priority will be given to:

  • Projects in designated subwatersheds and areas prone to erosion
  • Practices that are new to your operation
  • Projects in the Subsurface Placement Category: Preference will be given to no-till and strip-till systems

Those with projects outside of priority areas and those implementing their usual practices are also welcome to apply. These applications may go on a waitlist, depending on funding availability.

Additional Criteria

  • Applicants must be an Ontario resident
  • Projects must meet all municipal, provincial, and federal regulations
  • The applicant is responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals and permits

Contact

Chris Van Esbroeck, Agricultural Stewardship Specialist

519-451-2800 ext.272

​This program is funded by the Canada Water Agency.

CWA logo