Custom manure applicators are in short supply in Manitoba and cattle producers fear the problem will worsen because of provincial regulations.
Cattle producers say applicators are leaving the business because of regulations described as impossible to manage.
One of the biggest concerns is that applicators will have to enforce manure management for the province.
The province wants to prevent heavy accumulations of nutrients in the soil that could affect water quality through leaching or runoff.
“I shouldn’t have to pull into your yard and explain to you where you should spread your manure and how thick,” said custom applicator Jim Murray during the annual meeting of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association in Brandon this month.
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“Usually we’re running so far behind, guys are ready to shoot me when I get there, and then to argue with them about how much manure to put on is not the way to do it. This needs to be resolved and if they want someone to police it, it shouldn’t be us.”
The cattle group plans to lobby the Manitoba government to get the regulations relaxed so they are more workable for producers and manure spreading contractors.
The government has given assurances that it is not trying to drive custom manure applicators out of business, said MCPA vice-president Martin Unrau.
He believes a workable compromise must be struck because of the importance of manure applicators to a cattle industry poised for growth.
“I think every feedlot owner and cattleman you talk to who uses custom manure applicators will tell you that it’s tough to get them.
“The main problem that the custom applicators have is the situation where they will essentially end up policing the people they work for.”
Unrau understands the regulations are meant to protect the environment, including water quality in the province. However, he noted that incentives often work better than regulations and when new rules are put in place, people need a reasonable amount of time to adjust.
“Manure haulers don’t enjoy paper. They’re amazingly intelligent people who can make things work, and they fight and wrestle with hauling manure, but they don’t enjoy paper.”