The money is available on a first come basis, and the
program is administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
The aim is to improve soil health by applying manure
according to best management practices, including accurate phosphorous
application to avoid water pollution.
“It’s the multiplier effect that is so significant within
the Manure and Biosolids Management Program” said Andrew Graham, executive director
of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
“Each implemented Best Management Practice can benefit soil
health on many farm properties. The potential impacts are exponential.”
Improving soil health is also an important part of the
agri-food industry’s work to mitigate climate change, the association said.
Funding is available to customize spreading equipment to
allow in-crop application, or to allow slurry seeding of cover crops. There is
also an Innovative Approaches BMP that allows businesses to invest in
up-and-coming technology that is not yet available in Ontario.
“There are new ideas coming forward from around the world
for precision manure application and data management,” says Mack Emiry, president
of OSCIA.
“The Innovative Approaches BMP encourages businesses to
invest in these technologies, raising the bar for nutrient management here in
Ontario.”