Farm Management

 

 

Reduce total nitrogen loading

·                  Ensure livestock feed rations are not any higher than necessary to meet production targets. This will save both feed costs and excess nitrogen loss in the manure.

·                  Use nitrogen from sources available on the farm first, where possible (e.g., manure), before buying any nitrogen sources produced off-farm.

Prevent runoff from manure or other nutrient materials

·                  Store manure properly until it is ready for land application. Be sure your storage area is properly sited, designed and sized.

Manage fields to avoid excess nitrate that could leach to groundwater

·                  Identify fields and areas sensitive to nitrogen in areas where nutrient applications are planned. For instance, sandy or gravelly soils, and soils with shallow water tables are more susceptible to nitrogen leaching.

·                  Match nitrogen applications with crop requirements. Use the spring or pre-sidedress soil nitrogen test where available (e.g., for corn and barley).

·                  In your Nutrient Management Plan, account for nitrogen contributions from green manure crops and any previous crop rotations.

·                  In your Nutrient Management Plan, account for nitrogen from any manure or biosolid application.

·                  Apply most of the nitrogen just before the time of maximum crop uptake (e.g., sidedress corn).

·                  Split applications of nitrogen through techniques such as fertigation.

·                  Practise crop rotations to make efficient use of nitrogen and maintain healthy soils.

·                  Establish cover crops as needed to tie up any excess nitrogen at the end of the season.

Manage nutrient application to avoid ammonium losses to surface water

·                  Practice timely tillage to incorporate manure, balancing the risk of soil compaction with the losses of nitrogen to the atmosphere if the manure is not incorporated quickly.

·                  Avoid applying manure near surface water or on steeply sloping land.

·                  Keep application rates low enough to prevent runoff.

·                  Mix manure into the soil as soon possible after applying it.

·                  On tile-drained land, keep application rates of liquid manure below 40 m³/ha (3,600 gal/ac) or pre-till the field before applying it. This will help prevent the movement of manure directly to tile through cracks or earthworm channels.

·                  Use buffer strips and erosion control structures to filter runoff before it enters surface water. Buffer strips in riparian zones have proven to reduce nutrient movement off the field into nearby surface water sources. Buffer strips consume excess nutrients before they flow into surface water and enhance opportunities for groundwater denitrification.