Project Guidelines and Application
Manure Management
Applying Manure to Low P Soils
The goal of this subcategory is to encourage best practices to utilize manure and reduce risk of P losses. Incentive rates vary based on the field soil P level, distance to manure source, as well as the timing and method of manure application.
Rates
In-Season (April 1 – August 31)
- $50/acre (Bicarb P 20 ppm or less)
- $20/acre (Bicarb P between 21-30 ppm)
Early Fall (September 1 – October 31)
- $50/acre or $40/acre (see eligible practices) (Bicarb P 20 ppm or less)
- $20/acre (Bicarb P between 21-30 ppm)
Maximum $20,000
- The per acre rate can only be applied once per field annually.
- This rate cannot be combined with subsurface P application in the same funding year or the same crop.
- Funding cannot be stacked with other funding programs.
- Fields with a manure storage or livestock facility on the same property are not eligible for the Low P Field (0-20ppm) incentive rates.
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
- UTRCA may collect samples to verify eligibility
Crop Fertility Plan
- Crop Fertility Plans must be prepared by a CCA or agronomist, or the applicant using AgriSuite Field Management tool
- 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.
Eligible Practices
In-Season (April 1 and August 31)
Bicarb P 0-20 ppm
Bicarb P 21-30 ppm
Pre-Plant
Liquid or Solid – Surface applied and incorporated within 24 hrs
$50/acre
$20/acre
Liquid – Injected
$50/acre
$20/acre
In-Crop
Liquid – Surface applied to a living crop (between June 15 and August 15)
$50/acre
$20/acre
Solid – Surface applied to a living crop (between May 1 and August 31)
$50/acre
$20/acre
Liquid – Injected
$50/acre
$20/acre
Post Harvest
Solid – Surface applied on a living cover crop (before August 31)
$50/acre
$20/acre
Liquid – Surface applied on a living cover crop (before August 15)
$50/acre
$20/acre
Liquid or Solid – Surface applied and incorporated withing 24 hrs and cover crop planted
$50/acre
$20/acre
Early Fall (September 1 – October 31)
Bicarb P 0-20 ppm
Bicarb P 21-30 ppm
Post Harvest
Liquid or Solid – Surface applied or injected and incorporated within 24 hrs and cover crop planted
$50/acre
$20/acre
Liquid or Solid – Surface applied and incorporated within 24 hrs or injected
$40/acre
not eligible
Specific application methods (detailed below) must be followed.
Specific Application Methods
Liquid Manure
Injection/Incorporation
- Must be injected or incorporated into the soil within 24 hours (applicable between April 1- October 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 following application
Surface Application on Living Residue
Alternatively, liquid manure may be surface applied on fields with at least 75% living residue cover – but only between June 15 and August 15.
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 to receive the highest funding rate
Surface Application on Residue
- Manure can be surface applied on fields with at least 75% residue cover (living or dead) — but only between May 1 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 to receive the highest funding rate
Ineligible Practices
- Surface application of solid manure after August 31 is not eligible unless manure is incorporated within 24hrs and a cover crop is planted
- Surface application of liquid manure after August 15 is not eligible unless manure is incorporated within 24hrs
- 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 for the Low P Field (0-20ppm) incentive rates
- Fields with average soil P higher than 30 ppm Bicarb P 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
Applications are received
Applications undergo review; approvals are released
Work is completed as described on application
Submission for claims must include:
- Soil sample results and crop fertility plans for each field
- Invoices for manure and custom application if applicable
- Georeferenced photos of:
-
- Manure being loaded that includes the manure storage or barn area
- Applicator unit in each field on the day of application
- Manure being incorporated and/or cover crop being planted in each field
Step 5
Payment is issued to the farmer/applicant