Introduction

Rural communities are the home of Ontario’s thriving and dynamic agricultural industry. As it is with operations in any industry, be it an automotive plant or a shopping complex — agricultural operations may give rise to loud noises, unpleasant odours and lots of hustle and bustle associated with the business at hand.

This fact sheet will:

  • consider a number of frequently voiced concerns about the use of manure and other nutrients in the agricultural industry
  • identify the resources and processes in place to address nutrient-related concerns and complaints

The changing face of agricultural industry and the rural population

Over the last 50 years, the public has come to expect high-quality food at low prices from the agricultural industry. Technology advances and market forces have led many farmers to expand the scale of their operations. Some members of the public have expressed concerns about the increased size of livestock operations in particular and have adopted the term “factory farm” to describe high-density or intensive livestock operations. Meanwhile, changing demographics have resulted in an increase of non-farming residents in rural areas.

Nutrient management concerns vs. nuisance concerns

“Nutrient management concerns” and “nuisance concerns” are two very different concerns relating to practices involving the storage, transfer or application of nutrients. Not surprisingly, each type of concern requires a distinct course of action.

A nutrient management concern is generally a practice that is contrary to a public law and can involve either agricultural or non-agricultural source material. Generally, these concerns deal with practices that may put the public or the environment at risk. Examples of nutrient management concerns might include improper disposal of manure near or into a watercourse, contamination of groundwater due to faulty manure storage facilities or the application of nutrients to the land at rates much beyond what is required by a crop. These types of nutrient practices could be a violation of various provincial and federal laws, including:

A nuisance concern generally involves a practice that is “normal” or acceptable in the context of a farm but may be an annoyance or inconvenience to an individual. Nuisance concerns do not violate any legislation. They often arise due to a misunderstanding of the intent of a practice or as a result of a breakdown in communication between involved parties. The majority of nuisance concerns arise because of odours at the time of manure application.

Agricultural information contact centre

OMAFRA operates the Agricultural Information Contact Centre, which has a toll-free phone number and an e-mail address where resource agents answer questions about agricultural practices in general, as well as practices related specifically to nutrient management:

Toll-free: 1-877-424-1300

E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca

Learning from what others have asked

Some of the calls received are about nuisance complaints. The following is a list of frequently asked questions relating to nuisance complaints and typical responses to them:

  • Why does a farmer spread manure? Land application of manure is more than just a method of manure disposal. Manure is an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all nutrients needed for crop growth. The organic matter in manure also improves the condition of the soil, which can reduce soil erosion and watercourse pollution.
  • How often do farmers apply manure? A farmer might spread manure two or three times a growing season. Manure is spread in the spring before planting, in the summer after a cutting of hay or in the fall after a crop has been harvested. Each spreading event could last a single day or a few days, depending on the amount of manure to be applied and the size of the area of land it is being applied to.
  • When can a farmer apply manure? The timing of manure application is often dictated by natural restrictions. The main restriction is weather. Manure should not be applied during the winter months or when the ground is frozen because the frozen soil increases potential for runoff. When the soil is too wet, manure cannot be applied because the heavy machinery used to apply it will compact the soil. Crop cover also restricts the application of manure.
  • Why is the farmer spreading manure on the weekend? A farmer’s job is not 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Sometimes the window of opportunity for spreading manure can be quite narrow and may fall on weekends or evenings. Factors limiting manure application include: wet conditions (heavy farm equipment will compact soil), crop cover, frozen ground and access to application equipment.
  • Why does manure smell, and is there something a farmer can do about it? Sulfide compounds and ammonia are two of the main components of manure that are associated with odour. Proper incorporation of manure into the soil helps reduce odour and ammonia losses to the atmosphere. When ammonia losses are reduced, there is more nitrogen available for the crop. However, it is not always possible for this practice to be followed. Incorporation may be limited by the presence of a cover crop, by tillage method or by lack of equipment. The direction of the wind also plays a large part in who will smell the manure during and after application, and there is not much a farmer can do about wind direction.
  • If there are puddles of manure in the field after a farmer has applied liquid manure, does that mean there has been “too much” applied? It is hard to determine if “too much” manure has been applied by looking at the puddles. Temporary puddling will often occur before the manure is absorbed by the soil (Figure 1). Soil type, the slope of the land and the condition of the soil will all affect how quickly absorption occurs.
Figure 1. This photo shows manure puddling or pooling, after application, in between the rows of a corn field that has been harvested.
Figure 1. Puddling after a manure application.
  • How does a farmer know how much manure to apply? Manure application rates are based mainly on crop nutrient requirements, soil tests and the nutrients in the manure itself. To determine an appropriate manure application rate, a farmer can develop a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) that balances the nutrition needs of the crop with the nutrients provided by the farmer through the use of such materials as commercial fertilizer or manure. OMAFRA’s computer program NMAN3 can be used to assist farmers in developing an NMP. When farmers are implementing their NMP, they will follow the rates listed in their NMP. Manure application rates are estimated as a function of the application equipment’s capacity (volume) and width (distance), and the time it takes to empty the applicator (time). It is a best management practice for farmers to calibrate their manure application equipment.
  • How close to my house are farmers allowed to spread manure? Under the NMA, farmers are under no legal obligation to avoid manure application next to your house. However, they are obliged to respect a 100-m setback distance from municipal wells, a 15-m setback distance from drilled wells that have a minimum depth of 15 m and a watertight casing to a depth of at least 6 m, a 30-m setback from any other wells, and 13 m from the top of the nearest bank of most surface water bodies.
  • Should cattle or other livestock be allowed in streams? Fencing livestock out of waterways is a best management practice. This prevents livestock manure from being deposited into the stream and minimizes stream-bank erosion. Farmers who run an operation with a permanent outdoor confinement area of greater than 300 NU or who manage high-density permanent outdoor confinement areas are obliged under the NMA to keep their livestock out of surface waterways.
  • Can a farmer keep manure piled in his field? The practice of storing solid manure in a field is called “in-field storage” as it is just piled on the soil rather than on a concrete pad. According to the NMA, in-field storage can only be temporary and the location must meet specific requirements. Farms not covered by the NMA should follow these requirements as a best management practice. For more information, see the OMAFRA fact sheet, Temporary Field Storage of Solid Manure or Other Agricultural Source Materials.

If you have a concern or complaint

There are three steps to follow when deciding what to do about a nutrient management or nuisance concern:

  • understand the issue and get additional information
  • communicate with others about your concern
  • consider what steps to take

Understand the issue

If you are not familiar with what is “normal” when it comes to farming practices relating to nutrients, there are many resources available that can help you become informed.

The Nutrient Management Act, 2002

The Nutrient Management Act, 2002, and its Regulation, O. Reg. 267/03, govern many aspects of nutrient management. There are regulatory requirements and protocols pertaining to nutrient storage, transfer or application practices. These include regulations for nutrient application rates and timing, nutrient setback distances, temporary in-field storage and more.

The NMA requires some producers to have Nutrient Management Strategies (NMSs) and/or Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs). Currently, not all producers are required to have an NMS/P. However, best management practices suggest that all farmers who generate or land-apply nutrients should have some form of plan or strategy in place. More information on the requirements of the Regulation regarding nutrient management strategies and plans is found in OMAFRA fact sheet, When farms need NMS, NMP or NASM plan.

Best management practices (BMPs) publications

A series of publications called “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) is available through OMAFRA. These comprehensive publications describe a number of practical and affordable approaches to conserving a farm’s soil, water and nutrient resources without sacrificing productivity. However, it should be emphasized that reasonably safe farming can be done without meeting the high standards of these BMPs. Although farmers are not required to follow these BMPs, many have voluntarily incorporated them into their regular management practices.

Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998

The Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998 (FFPPA), is legislation designed to “conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural lands for the production of food, fibre and other agricultural or horticultural products.” In it, “normal” farming and food production procedures are outlined. For more information, see the OMAFRA fact sheet, Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998 and Nuisance Complaints.

Communicate with others

Perhaps one of the most important steps in addressing a concern is to talk to the farmer. Speaking with the individual could give you a different perspective as to why or how frequently a particular practice occurs. Also, the farmer may not have been aware that these activities were a source of concern and may be able to do something about it.

For instance, if you are planning an outdoor party for the same weekend a farmer is planning to apply manure to the field next to your house, let the farmer know. The farmer may be able to delay application until after the party. If you are reasonable with your requests and questions about the concern, there is a better chance the outcome will be favourable for both parties. On the other hand, if your concern is about a spill or other serious occurrence, the farmer may have already notified the appropriate agencies and may appreciate an extra pair of hands to help with the clean-up.

Consider what steps to take

Unfortunately, there are some situations that cannot be resolved without external involvement — whether the situation is because of a nuisance concern or a nutrient concern. Where you have reason to suspect a spill, call the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060. Alternately, where there is no imminent environmental risk, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre. They will direct your call to the appropriate person or agency. When making a complaint, people are asked to provide their name and telephone number. Anonymous calls will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change provincial officers

If an incident is suspected of being a spill or violation of legislation, it will be transferred to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change where a Provincial Officer will administer compliance.

Normal farm practices protection board (NFPPB)

The complainant may request a hearing at the NFPPB. The board will listen to the case to determine whether the complaint is about a normal farm practice. For more information on the NFPPB, see the OMAFRA fact sheet, Farming and Food Protection Act, 1998 and Nuisance Complaints.

Summary

If there is a concern about a nutrient management practice, take the time to determine what follow-up action is required. Get educated about the issue and talk to the farmer involved. If the concern still persists after taking these steps, consider taking further action. Being able to arrive at a solution on a one-on-one basis is the best way to establish and maintain good neighbourly relations.

Disclaimer

The information in this fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to determine legal obligations. 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.

This fact sheet was revised by Dale McComb, environmental specialist, OMAFRA.