The Manitoba government may not extend the fertilizer application deadline this fall, says a Keystone Agricultural Producers spokesperson.
A cold spell in late October caused soil temperatures to plummet. As a result, Nov. 10 may be the last day to legally apply fertilizer.
“I would say, right now, it’s not looking very favourable (for an extension),” said Curtis McRae, KAP vice-president.
In 2011, the province established regulations that said farmers couldn’t apply fertilizer after Nov. 10 or before April 10. The measures were part of broader legislation to protect Manitoba lakes, rivers and streams.
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Farmers in many parts of Manitoba were frustrated by the regulation last fall because soil temperatures were well above zero for several days after Nov. 10.
Producers and KAP leaders said a regulation based on a calendar date is inappropriate because in some years soil doesn’t freeze until late November.
The province listened to the complaints and agreed that there should be flexibility in the regulations.
If soil temperatures are above zero at the government’s weather and soil monitoring stations across the province as of Nov. 10, they agreed to extend the deadline.
McRae said provincial reps haven’t closed the door on an extension this fall, as they will monitor soil temperatures over the next week.
“(But) they plan on doing a major phone out, this week, to see how conditions are for putting fertilizer in. (So) they may still change it.”
Soil temperatures at most stations dropped from 8 C Oct. 26 to 0 to 2 C Nov. 1, following several nights with temperatures well below zero.
McRae said KAP will remain in contact with provincial reps, but the weather outlook doesn’t look promising for an extension.
Daily highs of 5 C and lows of -4 Care forecast for the first week of November.
