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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

$30/acre – Cover Crops Left Overwinter

$15/acre –  Harvested/Grazed Cover Crops

–

Reduced Tillage

$30/acre – No Fall Till/Fall Strip Till 

$15/acre –  Fall Vertical Till

–

4R Phosphorus Management

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.

  • Georeferenced field boundary and sample locations
  • Results from the new soil tests
  • Maps showing results (for precision sampling only)
  • Crop and yield goals
  • Nutrient application recommendations consistent with OMAFA publications
  • Timing (approximate), and rate of all fertilizer applications for the intended crop
  • Timing (approximate), and rate of all manure applications for the intended crop
  • Must be either a 3 year plan, or 1 year plan, plus commitment from service provider for an additional 2 years of advice.

If you plan to develop your own Crop Fertility Plan, visit AgriSuite (agrisuite.omadra.gov.on.ca) and use the Field Management tool. (Watch our helpful webinar to learn more about this tool)

Eligible Projects

Rate

Limits

Guidelines

Crop Fertility Planning and Soil Testing

$10/acre – Crop Fertility Plan with Basic Sampling

$15/acre – Crop Fertility Plan with Precision Sampling

$15,000

Manure Management

In-Season

$50/acre  – Bicarb P 20 ppm or less

$20/acre – Bicarb P between 21-30 ppm

Early Fall

$50-$40/acre – Bicarb P 20 ppm or less

$20,000

Manure Sampling

100%

$500

email Chris Van Esbroeck

Subsurface P Placement

$20/acre

$15,000

Variable Rate P Application

$20/acre

$15,000

Stacking Incentives

  • Crop Fertility Planning can be combined with any category.
  • Residue Cover and 4R Management categories can be combined on the same field.
  • Variable Rate P incentive can be combined with Subsurface P Placement or Manure Management.
  • Only one application of P (manure or fertilizer) will be funded per crop per funding year (e.g. fall and spring applications of manure ahead of corn on the same field are not eligible).

Cost Sharing Opportunities

Eligible Projects

Rate

Limits

Guidelines

Clean Water Diversion

70%

$8,000

Erosion Control

70%

$10,000

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 through the program annually is $75,000. This limit has been increased and is in effect for years 3 and 4 of the program. 

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, and fields with high soil P levels
  • Practices that are new to your operation
  • Applicants that are new to the program

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.

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.

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