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It really is a mug game
Cattlemen find loopholes in nutrient managment regulations
KEMPTVILLE — Ontario farmers need nutrient management regulations to protect them from the patchwork of by-laws that would eventually hobble farming in the province, says a farmer and water quality specialist.
"We (farmers) need closure (from the nutrient management battles) so we can plan into the future," says Chris Attema, water quality specialist with the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA). While the provincial legislation will override municipal by-laws, farmers have to be protected from the federal government. "One cow in a creek is a federal offence," he said, indicating the letter of the law had gone too far.
He says the regulations should be based on three criteria. They must be based on proven science, they must be practical and they must be affordable.
He told the audience at Kemptville College last month that there are ways to get around some of the regulations, alleviating the fears of some operators. However, looking for loopholes is a mug’s game, says beef farmer Robert Woolham. "It’s like income tax. Over time government will close them."
(The list below are newly proposed changes to the nutrient managment regulations).
The 11 areas representing loopholes and proposed government changes in the nutrient management regulations were presented by Ontario Cattlemen’s Association water quality specialist Chris Attema. They should make life easier for the smaller operator.
1. If you have fewer than 150 animal units, you will not have to complete a nutrient management plan. Soil sampling is not required when you use the short form.
2. You can divide your operations into two or more farms as long as you have separate deeds. Part of the operation could be in a spouse’s name or a relative’s name.
3. Animals can apply manure. Land application standards do not apply to grazing. The regulations say no person shall apply manure. An animal is not a person.
4. Low density grazing is accommodated. It consists of two cows and their calves per acre. Only where intensive grazing occurs, will fencing be required.
5. You don’t need a concrete pad. Two hundred days of confinement triggers run-off control. Storage requirements are based on days cattle are confined to a building. A manure pack is all right. As long as the manure is dry, three walls are sufficient. Regulations don’t say the pad has to be made from concrete.
6. Since run-off flow paths have to be 50 metres long, create a meandering flow.
7. Imported manure. Standards are different when you spread someone else’s.
8. You can apply solid manure on ground with one inch of top soil.
9. If you can incorporate manure, you don’t have to worry about winter spreading. Outdoor feeding areas are viewed as too difficult to implement and standards will be delayed until stage 3.
10. The new definition of pasturing cattle is more flexible. The definition states pasturing occurs when animal intake from the pasture is more than 50 per cent of the dry matter. Grazing now includes an area in which the cattle are fed round bales.
11. If you qualify for the short form, then do not make out the long form (nutrient management plan) to simply satisfy your local municipality.