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Copyright © 2001 Eastern Ontario Farmers Forum Inc. All Rights Reserved |
How the Nutrient Management bill affects you
Bryon
Cook -- Agronomist
What will it cost? Large operations with segmented land holdings need only
include land that receives manure or is required to receive manure to
achieve nutrient balance. Producers can construct their own NMP. Storage Management Informal discussions would indicate that if your
current structure allows runoff in any direction, expect a capital
expense. Earthen storage structures for liquid manure will remain
acceptable if clay content is a minimum of 30%. Storage capacity will be
240 days minimum. Level of containment for feedlots and cow/calf
enterprises has not been established. Manure Application Requirements for your land base The extra 20 acres are required for the dry cows that
the NMP will estimate at 20% of the herd. Remember setback distances will reduce acreage
available for manure application below total tillable acres. This is
mainly a function of soil fertility and topography. Maps and More Maps Process of Evolution Regardless of any future changes to the NMP, previously completed and
approved NMPs will not have to be updated until the original expiry date
of three years has elapsed.
If the plan is completed entirely by an outside source, expect cost to be
$5.00 - $10.00 / acre. This only reflects the cost of completing the
formal document. Small field size, exposure to surface water, rolling
topography and multiple storage structures will increase costs.
Specifics on manure storage structures have not been released. Expect
these proposed guidelines to be announced in late November.
Liquid manure application will rarely exceed 7500 U.S. gallons per acre
(GPA). Application rates will average 3500 – 6000 GPA. Setback distances
from any watercourse will be 30 feet. If soil phosphorus exceeds 30 parts
per million, setback distances will range from 30 – 200 ft. Solid manure
systems will require major efforts in determining application rates. Most
operations can expect increased costs for manure application.
Projected land base requirement for one mature dairy cow of 1400Lbs,
and one replacement animal will average two acres. This only reflects the
amount of land required for manure application. If you milk 50 cows and
you apply manure on intended corn acres only, you will require 120 acre of
corn.
The maps required in the plan are extensive. It may even be considered
excessive, but never underestimate the value of good farm maps. Many
producers use custom manure spreading services. For custom operators,
environmentally sensitive areas must be clearly marked. Minimizing surface
water contamination and any subsequent liability may be a function of map
accuracy. The maps can be G.P.S. (Global Positioning System) perimeter
maps, or hand drawn or a combination of both. Producers can reduce costs
by making their own maps.
Do not expect the current format of the NMP to be permanent. The final
package is not practicable. Several versions will evolve to create a quick
reference document for a wide range of production facilities. The
complexity of future NMPs will reflect the size and intensive nature of
the operation.