As the leader of Manitoba’s largest farm organization, Doug Chorney normally knows almost everything going on in the province when it comes to agriculture.
But in late October the Keystone Agricultural Producers president was surprised to learn that Manitoba farmers are no longer allowed to apply fertilizer between Nov. 10 and April 10.
“It’s been the law in Manitoba since January 1, 2011,” said Chorney, who heard about the nutrient management regulation in a recent conversation. “It’s kind of embarrassing to admit we didn’t know about this. But, we didn’t know about this.”
The new rule is part of nutrient management regulations in the province, under Manitoba’s Water Protection Act, which came into effect in March 2008. However, the regulations, prohibiting the application of fertilizer between Nov. 10 and April 10, didn’t take effect until this year.
“What it means is that from Nov. 10 to April 10, you’re not allowed to apply any synthetic phosphorus or nitrogen fertilizer,” Chorney said.
The purpose of the legislation, according to a provincial spokesperson, is to prevent farmers from spreading fertilizer onto frozen ground. During spring runoff, those nutrients can be washed away and wind up in streams, rivers and lakes throughout Manitoba.
While he understands the goals of the legislation, Chorney said he recalls a number of years where it remained warm well into November.
“Typically, half the time it is probably winter time (in Manitoba) by Nov. 10 and it’s not an issue,” said Chorney, who farms near Selkirk, Man. “(But) I’ve seen it happen when you had the nicest application weather after Nov. 10 for anhydrous ammonia. We (have) fertilized the whole farm from the middle to the end of November.”
It’s been warm and dry this fall in Manitoba, said Gary Martens, a University of Manitoba plant science professor. In a year like 2011, it’s better for the soil and for the environment if farmers wait as long as possible to apply nitrogen fertilizer. If the soil is warm when fertilizer is injected, the nitrogen will convert from ammonium to nitrate, he said.
“In the nitrate form it’s more susceptible to leaching or volatilization. So that’s why you want to delay (application) as long as possible.”
As well, if a producer attempts to inject fertilizer into dry soil, the furrow doesn’t close properly, which allows nitrogen to escape, Martens noted. Therefore, farmers are wise to wait for a November rain before applying fertilizer.
On top of his concerns regarding the Nov. 10 deadline, Chorney said the spring deadline doesn’t make a great deal of sense either. There are years when the ground is dry enough by April 10 for farmers to get on the land and apply fertilizer.
“Sometimes you lose all your snow cover in March and the ground isn’t quite dry enough to seed or be cultivated,” he said. “But it’s plenty dry enough for a floater to go across with dry or liquid fertilizer.”
Since learning of the Nov. 10 deadline, Chorney has spoken to Manitoba government representatives about the regulations. He remains hopeful the rules can be altered to accommodate the needs of Manitoba’s farmers.
