Introduction

This information provides an overview of some of the rules you must follow to land apply greenhouse nutrient feedwater (GNF). This information is for farmers that intend to land apply GNF, greenhouse operations that both generate and land apply GNF and consultants or companies involved with land application of GNF.

The following are overviews of the regulation as it applies to:

See O. Reg. 300/14: Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater for more information on the regulation and associated protocols.

Greenhouse operations that want to generate GNF may need to have a GNF strategy for their operation. Farmers that want to land apply GNF may need a GNF plan and a land application schedule. These documents need to be prepared by someone that meets the requirements set out in the regulation.

Before land applying GNF

Here are the steps an operation must take before it can apply GNF to agricultural land:

Determine the farm unit

A farm unit is a geographical area where your agricultural operation is located. In this case, the farm unit needs to include the property where the GNF is stored (if not stored at another farm unit, which includes the greenhouse that generates the GNF). Your farm unit can never be less than a single deed, but the farm unit can be larger and can include multiple agricultural operations. Areas within a farm unit can be any distance apart.

For more information, see Part 7 GNF Plan of the 2015 Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Management Protocol.

Identify the GNF application area(s) within the farm unit

The land where you intend to apply GNF must meet the rules of the regulation. For example, the land must meet the maximum sustained slope and depth to bedrock. Section 23 of the regulation outlines how to determine GNF plan areas and GNF application areas in more detail.

Analyze the GNF and determine the number of nutrient units

It is the responsibility of the generator to analyze the GNF. If the GNF applicator is not the generator, the generator must give the operation receiving the GNF the most recent sampling and analysis results of the GNF. This information must be given, in writing, before the GNF can be transported to the receiving operation. The receiver of the GNF may require additional sampling and analysis if the previous analysis information is not representative of the GNF that will be land applied.

The GNF is sampled to determine the concentration of 11 different regulated metals. Do not apply the GNF to land if the concentration of any of the 11 regulated metals in the GNF exceeds the maximum levels listed in Table 2 of the regulation.

The number of nutrient units (NU) is calculated using the volume of the GNF and the nutrient content of each source of GNF (a NU gives the fertilizer replacement value of the lower of 43 kg of nitrogen or 55 kg of phosphate (P2O5)). The GNF Sampling and Analysis Protocol provides more information on the sampling and analysis requirements.

Determine if a GNF plan is required

You need a GNF Plan if:

  • five or more nutrient units of GNF are applied to land within the farm unit in a calendar year
  • five or more nutrient units of GNF are stored on the farm unit at any one time in a calendar year
  • five or more nutrient units of externally generated GNF are received at the farm unit in a calendar year

Analyze the soil

If a GNF Plan is required, you need to analyze the soil of the area where you intend to land apply before you can apply the GNF. It is a best management practice to analyze the soil even if you do not need a GNF Plan.

The GNF Sampling and Analysis Protocol provides more information on the soil analysis requirements.

Complete and submit a GNF plan

The GNF plan must be completed by a certified nutrient management planner, or by the controller (owner or manager) or an employee of the operation who has completed the appropriate training. The plan must be signed by both the controller(s) and the planner (if required) and sent to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for approval.

The plan must include:

  • soil sampling results
  • the location of the operation receiving the GNF
  • details of any GNF storage
  • a sketch of the GNF application area that includes features such as wells or shallow bedrock
  • a contingency plan to address potential GNF management issues. Issues can include unanticipated releases of GNF (such as storage seepage), and the inability to land apply as a result of weather conditions or unavailability of equipment.

See Part 7.1 of the Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Management Protocol for more information on what to include in a GNF Plan.

Complete a Land Application Schedule

If your operation requires a GNF Plan, a certified nutrient management planner, or the controller or an employee of the operation who has completed the appropriate training needs to complete a Land Application Schedule. The schedule must include the details on:

  • the crops you intend to plant
  • each crop's nutrient needs
  • the number of times you expect to apply GNF in the year
  • the dates you expect to apply in the year
  • the expected GNF application rates for each application date you identify
  • the GNF application setbacks for your field
  • the proposed number of and date(s) of other nutrient applications, including proposed application rates

AgriSuite can help prepare this schedule. It will flag any information that is missing or poses an environmental concern.

More information on Land Application Schedules is found in Part 8.1 of the Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Management Protocol.

Land applying GNF

The following requirements cover all land applied GNF (even if a GNF Plan or Land Application Schedule is not required):

  • If you do not use your staff to apply GNF, you must use a licenced applicator.
  • Only apply on land that has a slope of 12% or less.
  • Follow the Land Application Schedule if required for your operation. If you do not need a schedule, you cannot apply more than 750 m3/ha (67,000 gal/ac) of GNF in a calendar year. In addition, you should follow the best management practices for nutrient application. OMAFRA has a series of Best Management Practice books that provide more information on nutrient application.
  • Do not exceed more than 130 m3/ha (11,500 gal/ac) in a 24-hour period (this amount may be increased if you need a GNF Plan).
  • Application of nutrients to land is highly restricted between December 1st and March 31st. Never apply GNF on land that is snow covered or frozen.
  • Only apply a maximum of 40 kg of nitrogen to your land, through GNF application, between October 1st and May 15th. Also, during this period only apply on living crops or on land with 30% residue cover (residue needs to have a carbon to nitrogen ratio greater than 50:1).
  • Take all steps possible to ensure GNF does not pond on the surface of the land where applied. Do not apply the GNF at a rate that causes it to move more than 1.5 m across the surface of the soil after it is applied.
  • Use a direct flow application system (such as a drip system) if you follow the rules set out in the regulation.
  • Do not apply GNF on land that has a depth of unsaturated soil that is less than 30 cm. In addition, there are a number of rules regarding the application of GNF where there is 30 cm or more of unsaturated soil.
  • Do not apply GNF on land that has a depth to bedrock of less than 30 cm. There must be 50 cm depth to bedrock if GNF has higher regulated metal content.
  • Maintain setbacks from wells and watercourses. The amount of setback required (and effect on rates and timing) is outlined in the regulation.

AgriSuite can help to meet these requirements.

Storing GNF

Visit Transferring, storing and transporting greenhouse nutrient feedwater for more information on the requirements for storing GNF on your operation.

Record keeping

The controller of an operation, subject to a GNF Plan, needs to:

  • Review and update the plan by February 15th of each year.
  • Have a certified greenhouse nutrient feedwater preparer amend and submit the plan to OMAFRA if new application areas or storages are going to be used. The controller or an employee of the operation can amend and submit the plan if they have the appropriate training.
  • Have a certified nutrient management planner complete a Land Application Schedule each calendar year. The controller or an employee of the operation can complete the schedule if they have the appropriate training.
  • Complete a Record of Land Application each year within 30 days of each land application of GNF. You need to keep your records up to date.

Keep the documents, including GNF strategies and plans, for five years after they are created. However, there are several exceptions to this general rule. Section 72 of the regulation provides more information on these exceptions.

AgriSuite

AgriSuite is a suite of free web-based decision support tools that can be accessed online from your computer, tablet or smartphone. AgriSuite assists you with key crop fertilization management decisions and how they relate to improving crop production and protecting the environment. It is designed to help farmers meet their obligations under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA).

The Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater (GNF) worksheet in AgriSuite estimates GNF production, storage sizing and land application methods to help certified consultants and greenhouse operators prepare required legal documents for regulatory purposes under the NMA.

Resources

For questions on the regulation, protocols, GNF strategies and plans and AgriSuite, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.

Visit the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus nutrient management website for a list of Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Preparers and for nutrient management training opportunities.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for informational purposes only. This fact sheet is a general and simplified description of some of the legal requirements of O. Reg. 300/14 (the "Regulation"), the Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater (GNF) Management Protocol and the GNF Sampling and Analysis Protocol. The protocols are adopted by the regulation and are legally enforceable. This information does not provide a comprehensive description of the rules that are mentioned and there are rules in the regulation and protocols that are not covered at all. To determine your legal obligations, consult the relevant law. If legal advice is required, consult a lawyer. In the event of a conflict between the information in this fact sheet and any applicable law, the law prevails.