Best Management Practices
A First Look

 

Farming is a business with many risks: the weather, finances, and market uncertainties. Today, we also realize that certain farming practices may create environmental risks that affect soil and water quality.

Producers experience some of the resulting problems themselves such as lower crop yields, soil losses and water pollution. But rural and urban neighbours may also be affected. Not all problems are severe and not all farms have problems. But for those producers who are affected, practical solutions exist. This booklet, and others in the Best Management Practices series, explore workable solutions for soil and water problems.

This overview booklet looks at common soil and water concerns and solutions. Examples represent a range of farming enterprises from across the province.

 

Manure Run-off and Tile Discharge

Livestock are important to production agriculture in Ontario. They convert locally grown grains and forages to meat, egg and dairy products. Cattle, horses and sheep require hay and pasture (forages). The resulting crop rotation of grains with hay and pasture is good for Ontario's productive soils.

However, with livestock production comes the problem of wastes and by-products. When managed effectively these wastes can be essential farm resources. But when managed improperly, they can pollute nearby waterways.

Manure spills and contaminated run-off are prime sources of agricultural pollution. The two critical features of manure storage design are adequate sizing and personal safety. To avoid problems, liquid and solid manure have to be stored properly to contain nutrients and prevent run-off. Manure storages must be large enough to handle the volume of wastes generated until weather, soil and crop conditions allow spreading.

Some milkhouse wastes enter watercourses through illegally-connected tile drains. Studies have suggested that milkhouse wastes are a source of pollution. Potential pollutants include phosphates and bacteria.

 

Manure and Milkhouse Washwater Storage and Handling
Where problems exist, farm managers must clearly identify the resources and options that are available to correct them. The next step is to choose the appropriate best management practice. Setting priorities involves striking a balance between production goals, economic costs and environmental protection. If a new system is needed, here are a few ideas to consider.
A concrete-walled solid storage area with a sloped floor handles both solid and liquid manure materials. Manure can be stored and handled as a solid or as a liquid. Snow melt and rainwater can be diverted from solid manure storages by eaves troughs or with a roofed structure. Contaminated waters and milkhouse washwater can be contained with curbs and walls or stored in a separate earthen pond.

 

A properly sized concrete tank with safety fencing is an acceptable way to store liquid and other waste waters. Be sure to satisfy all legal regulations in the design and placement of the structure.
Another option for milkhouse washwater is to treat the waste in a properly-designed and managed sediment tank and treatment trench system. A well-managed sediment tank and treatment trench system, similar to a household septic system, will provide years of service for most dairy operations. For best results, locate treatment in a protected area with good drainage and no equipment traffic. To prolong the life of the system, remove mild solids before releasing the washwater to the sediment tank.
Refer to the booklet on Livestock and Poultry Waste Management for further information.

 

 

Manure Application Mismanagement

 

Manure contains organic matter and nutrients. Both of these resources are important to sustain crop yields. Manure can supply crops with all the nutrients necessary for high yields. However, it comes with its own risks. If run-off from manure applied to fields enters waterways, nutrient and bacteria can pollute water. If more manure is applied than a growing crop can use, some of the excess nutrients may be leached into groundwaters.

Manure applied to frozen ground can run off with spring meltwaters. Timing and location are two of the most critical factors to effective manure management. In ideal situations, manure is tilled into the soil as it is applied, or right after spreading. Manure spread on pasture or forage fields near streams can also run off.

 

Too much manure can lead to poor crop performance, water pollution and create excessive odours. Well-timed applications of manure can provide both nutrients and moisture for crop growth. Since roots need air to breathe, too much manure can hinder crop vigour. When excessive rates are combined with poor timing, surface and groundwaters may be polluted. Studies suggest that under some conditions, liquid manure can move through the soil and enter tile drains. Some field trials show unacceptable traces of manure entering ditches through tile outlets. The results vary with manure type, rates, timing and soil conditions. The problems are worse when broken tiles intercept the run-off directly from the soil surface. Careful consideration of crop needs and soil conditions followed by frequent monitoring can prevent this situation.
 

Effective Manure Application

If crop needs and soil conditions are properly considered, manure becomes a valuable resource. Producers should start by testing cropland soil and manure regularly for nutrient content. Factors to consider when determining application rates include: soil type, acreage, the crop to be grown and the type of manure. The key is to never apply more than is needed. It is also important that manure be applied as closely as possible to the time when the crop can best use the nutrients.

 
Solid manure should be spread when the soil is dry and completely thawed. In ideal situations, tilling should follow within 24 hours. In this way, producers ensure maximum benefit and minimum pollution. Keep the neighbours happy - spread at times that are acceptable to everyone.

Refer to the Manure Application section of the Livestock and Poultry Waste Management booklet for more information.

 
Liquid manure can be injected into the root zone with a flexible-hose system to provide crop needs and reduce the risk of run-off. Manure is pumped directly from the liquid storage tank to the manure injector. One advantage of this system is that it is tankless, which can translate into a lower risk of soil compaction. Liquid manure can also be    injected into the soil through units mounted on a bulk tank.

 

Managing Fragile Lands

Consideration should be given to permanently retiring fragile land from agricultural production and devoting the area to more appropriate use. It may be fragile due to its susceptibility to erosion or flooding. It rarely makes the landowner money, and is likely costing someone else money downstream.

Access to streams by cattle can lead to faecal coliform and sediment pollution of watercourses. Stream bottomlands and drainage ditchbanks may seem to be good grazing and watering sites. However, the compaction and slumping of banks caused by hooves adds unwanted soil to streams and ditches. Unrestricted livestock access means poorer drinking water for users downstream.
 

Fencing cattle out of streams will prevent water pollution. Watering devices meet livestock needs. Permanent or temporary fencing can be erected at reasonable cost. It will keep livestock out of the water while allowing them to graze on bottomlands. Livestock crossings allow access to lands on both sides of the watercourse. These structures must keep livestock out of the water and not restrict the normal flow in the watercourse. A wide range of watering devices are available at moderate cost. Options range from mechanical nose-pumps to solar-powered pumps and fencing units. Restricted cattle access is the most cost-effective way to reduce livestock-related pollution of ditches and creeks.
 

Growing crops too close to ditchbanks will accelerate streambank erosion. Getting the most from cropland is important to your bottom line. However, doing it at the expense of soil and water quality in the long term, may be wasteful. The use of tillage and other heavy equipment near streams places excessive loads on the banks. This causes slumping, streambank erosion and could be a major safety hazard. Also, the closer producers work to the bank, the more likely it is that topsoil and fertilizer will run off into waterways. It is far better to do a good job on your best acres and retire fragile land: crop yields from these areas generally pull down field averages.
 
Ditchbanks and watercourses can be protected by planting permanent grass buffer strips. An easily-maintained grass buffer strip will keep tillage equipment away from fragile lands and filter run-off during storms. Buffer strips are also excellent sites for growing valuable hardwood trees and shrubs. Vegetation that provides shade gives life to streams because cool, clean water is ideal for fish habitat. If municipal drains are located on a farm, the buffer allows easy equipment access. Be sure to inform local township officials prior to planting.
 

 
Retirement of fragile and bottom lands is a best management practice. The practice directly benefits producers and society. To assist producers, there is help available from government and non-government agencies.
The exposure of light-coloured soil is evidence of past erosion. Severely eroded fields are fragile and it just doesn't pay to farm this land. Severely eroded lands have low potential yields due to their lack of topsoil and organic maker. Sub-soils are less fertile and more prone to drought. Research conducted by the University of Guelph estimates that 16 per cent of the cropland in one county of Ontario was eroded enough to lower corn yields by 30 to 40 per cent.

Refer to the booklets on Farm Forestry and Habitat Management and Field Crop Production for more information.
Fragile lands can be retired at low cost by planting tree and shrub seedlings. Block plantings of conifer, hardwood or shrub seedlings are the beginnings of future farm forests. At first, an improvement in the range and numbers of birds and wildlife will be noticeable. In time, the field that was once an eyesore will become beautiful. As the trees mature, they will become valuable for wood products and real estate.
 

Soil Erosion by Water

 
When soil erodes, particles move from the place of origin and are deposited elsewhere. Most soil erosion on farmland is caused by water, wind or tillage. Generally, poorly managed and unprotected lands are most prone to erosion. However, local conditions will dictate the type and severity of erosion. When soil erodes from Ontario farmland it takes with it, the productive base and costly crop inputs.

 
Erosion by Water. How it Happens. The extent of erosion by water is affected by several factors: the length and steepness of slope, soil texture (silt loam, fine sand, etc.), the extent of crop cover, the amount and timing of severe rains and field protection measures. The diagram is an unprotected, steeply sloping field with soil that is vulnerable to erosion.

Knolls with light-coloured subsoil at the surface are evidence of past erosion by tillage, wind and water. Soil loss can be accelerated when the forces of tillage and weather are both at work. Steeply-sloping fields with silty soils are prone to erosion by water and tillage. Properly managed, however, these fields can sustain yields with minimal erosion. Poor management will allow continued erosion, reduce returns and eventually, destroy the soil's ability to produce crops.

Large eroded channels, which cannot be crossed by farm equipment, are called gullies.
During a storm, rain can quickly form a thin layer of water on the ground which can flow together to cause small channels, called rills, that can move soil downslope.

Soil Conservation

 

Soil conservation improves and protects the soil resource. The first step in conserving soil is to develop a plan for the land. Use realistic goals for yield, returns and tolerable soil loss. Look at alternatives to current cropping and tillage practices. An erosion control structure may have a place in the plan. Whatever the choices, a system must be developed that will work to satisfy production, economic and environmental concerns.
A grassed waterway is an effective means of controlling water flow across the surface and preventing erosion. A variety of proven erosion control structures are available as part of an overall conservation farm plan. Erosion by water can be prevented by keeping fields covered with crops or residue. Choosing the right combination of practices and structures requires the careful planning and adjustment of a cropland conservation system.
 

Soybeans emerging in last year's corn crop residue. Residue management and crop rotation are proven ways to conserve soil while minimizing labour, fuel and crop protection inputs. This requires the adoption of a new cropping and tillage system.

Refer to the Field Crop Production booklet for more information.

 
Cropping across the slope or along the contour is an inexpensive and effective way to conserve soil. Some soil conservation practices are simple and low-cost. Desirable organic matter levels in soil are key to good management and conservation. Farms with manure and forage-based crop rotations have all the resources at hand to maintain organic matter levels. Cover crops, green manure crops and crop residue can also build these levels. Cover crops and green manure crops, such as red clover, protect the soil, add organic matter, suppress problem weed growth and control leaching of crop nutrients.
 

Controlling Wind Erosion

 
Suspended soil particles can be carried by the wind for great distances. Coarser particles will be bounced along by the wind. This process is called saltation. The particles bounce along the soil surface dislodging more particles as they fall and strike the ground. Surface creep refers to a process where larger particles roll in the direction of the wind. The amount of soil eroded by wind is influenced by wind speed, soil texture, soil moisture and ground cover. Removing fence rows and tree windbreaks to make room for large machinery can make soil more prone to wind erosion, unless soil conservation practices are applied.
Wind erosion starts when the force of the wind overcomes gravity. Soil is carried by the wind in three ways- suspension, saltation and surface creep.

Crop quality and yields can be greatly affected by wind-blown soil. In extreme cases, the crop must be reseeded at great cost and delayed maturity.
Refer to booklets on Horticultural Crops, Field Crop Production and Farm Forestry and Habitat Management for more information.
Wind blown soil can make driving hazardous and living conditions unbearable.
Blackened snowdrifts along a field's edge are stark evidence of wind erosion. Excessive tillage and lack of crop residues or cover crops often lead to this problem. Wind erosion results from high winds blowing across dry, unprotected soil.

 

The best soil conservation package could involve a variety of good management practices such as strip cropping for wind erosion control, crop rotations and reduced tillage. A vegetative wind barrier in horticulture crops is an innovative way to reduce wind damage. Tender, young tomato plants are protected by narrow rows of cereal grains planted between the beds.

Well-planned and maintained windbreaks reduce wind erosion and increase crop productivity. Other benefits include reduced heating and cooling costs, livestock protection, enhanced beauty and better wildlife habitat.
Careful planting, followed by good weed control and watering in the early years, will get a tree windbreak off to a good start.
 

Other Soil Problems

 
Erosion is not the only form of degradation experienced by Ontario's agricultural soils. Changes to the soil's structure also affects the quality of soil and crops.

Soil structure refers to the arrangement of particles and pore space in the topsoil and subsoil. Well-structured or "mellow" topsoil is less prone to erosion, readily forms a seedbed for crop germination and allows water to infiltrate.

Well-structured subsoil allows crop roots to penetrate it, can be infiltrated by rainwater and does not restrict moisture available to crops.

Wet soils are weak. Poor timing of tillage may lead to compacted soils, excessive run-off and lost time.

Annual tillage operations in less-than-ideal moisture conditions conducted at the same depth each year can result in compacted soil layers or "plow-pans". Soil crusting will prevent crop emergence.

Heavy harvest equipment on wet soils can cause severe rutting. Compacted soils pond water which reduces the ability of crop roots to breathe and reduces root penetration. Proper drainage and better timing could prevent this.

 

Maintaining Soil Quality

Soil structural quality is easier to maintain than regain. Additions of organic matter and crop rotations will reduce the stress of intensive cropping and tillage. Variable depths of tillage will reduce the chance of plow-pans forming.

Excessive tillage combined with insufficient additions of organic matter can leave topsoil prone to crusting. Heavy traffic by equipment and poor timing of operations can lead to soil compaction. Crusted and compacted soils are more prone to erosion.
Poorly-structured soils are tightly compacted or form surface crusts

Well-planned crop rotation is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent problems with soil structure. It will also help to break pest and disease cycles, and will spread out seasonal workload and risk. Sub-surface compaction can be corrected by deep-tillage practices. However, there are several risks:
  • subsoiling could bring unwanted materials to the surface (subsoil).
  • the improved drainage and aeration effects are often temporary and difficult to justify. Growth of a deep-rooting cover crop may prolong the effectiveness.
  • if done at the wrong time, compaction may be made worse.
  • soil structure cannot be improved by 'subsoiling'.
Refer to the booklets on Field Crop Production and Horticultural Crops for more information.
   

Protecting Groundwater
An adequate water supply is a necessity for any home. It must provide quality water at a constant and dependable rate. Groundwater supplies 90 per cent of water in rural areas for both domestic use and livestock watering.

Harmful bacteria, nitrate, and crop protection chemicals have been detected in some groundwater wells. The risk of potential contamination problems can be avoided by employing good management practices. Simple rules to follow are:

  • Aim to apply only the nutrient that the crop needs, and when it needs it, for maximum profit.
  • Pest management,          including pesticides, is a necessary part of Ontario agriculture. However, use care to ensure the protection of humans, the environment and crops. All farmers using crop protection chemicals must successfully complete the Grower's Pesticide Safety Course, sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. There are many ways to learn about crop protection chemicals. Talk with specialists. Attend educational          meetings. Read labels carefully and follow the instructions and precautions.

  • For your family's safety, test your drinking water annually for bacteria and nitrates. If there is evidence of pesticides, have samples tested every three years.

Pesticide contamination of groundwater is primarily due to carelessness around the farm well.

A well that is suitably located, properly constructed, regularly tested and well maintained should never be contaminated by polluting sources such as septic tank systems or surface drainage.

Application rates for nutrients, both commercial fertilizer and manure, must be determined with more than just crop yield in mind. Equal consideration should given to possible damage to both groundwater and surface water from leaching and run-off.

Rural communities rely on a dependable and safe source of groundwater for drinking.
 
Aspects of ground water protection are covered in all areas of the manual.
 
 

Considering Your Neighbours

 

It is difficult to estimate the cost of damage caused by pollutants moving from agricultural land. Researchers suggest that off-farm damage caused by erosion and poor water quality far exceeds the on-farm losses in crop yields and farming operations. All citizens want to have high quality, Ontario-grown food, but not at the expense of surface and groundwater quality.

 
Plant nutrients move with eroded soil particles into waterways simulating and algae growth. When the algae dies and decays, oxygen in the water is used up. This threatens fish and aquatic life. Sediment from eroding fields clog ditches. This slows drainage and increases the risk and severity of flooding.

This is a rare sight and should never be tolerated. Municipal drains and creeks are clearly the wrong place for pesticide container disposal. Pest management is a critical part of farm production. In recent years, newly developed chemical and biological pesticides have enabled farmers to meet the growing demand for food. However, some pesticides can be harmful to human health and environmental quality if handled incorrectly. Improper storage, handling, application and disposal can lead to the contamination of surface and groundwater.

Refer to the booklets on Field Crop Production and Horticultural Crops for more information.

 
Pollution from rural and urban sources may limit the use of Ontario waters for swimming, fishing and boating. Excessive sediment in streams can destroy fish and wildlife habitat and pollute water supplies.

 

Where To Go For Information

 
There are many good sources of information on environmental concerns in agriculture: local field offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, local groups or associations of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, local Conservation Authorities and the Soil and Water Conservation Information Bureau at the University of Guelph.

Other groups also believe that farming can be environmentally responsible and yet remain profitable. Check with your suppliers, universities, agricultural colleges, farm organizations and consulting firms for information on conservation farming.

And finally, other producers can offer help. Attend workshops, take advantage of farm tours and talk to your neighbours about the practices that they use.

Farm tours are a great way to find out what others are doing. Local farm and conservation organizations conduct tours throughout the growing season. Tours help producers see how others deal with similar problems. Hands-on learning is best. To choose the most appropriate management practice, producers must see how others have made it work. Most producers are happy to share experiences.
Environmental farm planning workshops give opportunities to learn during the winter months. Workshops look at production agriculture and environmental quality.
 

 

Regulation

The overall responsibility for policy and regulation is shared by all levels of government. However, each level of government is concerned with different legislation. It is important to find a balance between the protection of our natural resources and allowing producers to farm profitably. Laws that protect the environment are designed to prevent unacceptable levels of contamination by sediment, chemical, nutrient and biological pollutants. Individuals or corporations who knowingly contaminate surface or groundwater are subject to severe penalties under today's laws.

 

 

 Best Management Practices Home  

 

Last Updated: Sunday, May 03, 2009 06:41:50 PM