Manitoba farmers are again in the crosshairs as the province aims to further protect water quality.
But the provincial government is missing the mark with the regulations it has proposed for water quality management zones, said Ian Wishart, a vice-president of Keystone Agricultural Producers.
“It will have a negative impact if they implement what they’re proposing,” said Wishart, who chairs KAP’s environment committee and farms near Portage la Prairie.
“We argue that what they’re proposing is ill thought out and is based on questionable leaps in logic along the lines of science.”
Read Also
Agritechnica Day 3: Hybrid drive for a combine, data standards keep up to tech change and tractors of the year
Agritechnica 2025 Day 3: Hybrid drive for a combine, data standards keep up to tech change and tractors of the year.
The province’s water stewardship department has mapped out four water quality management zones and has proposed regulations specific to each. The intent is to prevent excessive nutrients from being applied to the land and then contaminating water through leaching and runoff.
Livestock manure, commercial fertilizer applied to farmland and municipal waste water sludge have been identified by the province as some of the major sources of nitrogen and phosphorus.
When it comes to agriculture, the regulations so far are aimed mainly at livestock producers. However, restrictions also are expected for crop producers. In some areas that could include a ban on fall application of fertilizer.
“I understand the need to deal with nutrient runoff issues, but this approach won’t make the problem any better,” said Wishart.
“It’s just another set of regulations for producers to have to try and meet without accomplishing the end that they intend to accomplish.”
For some livestock producers, the regulations could make it impossible to apply manure to their land at any time of the year, he said. Other producers could see tighter limits on how much manure they can apply.
Rather than having another layer of rules imposed, Wishart would rather see work continue on some of the efforts already started. He said he also would like to see a greater financial incentive for producers instead of more regulations.
“A lot has already been accomplished by doing case-by-case manure management plans. We think that they should build on that rather than put another whole set of regulations in, particularly those that don’t stand up to any kind of logic.”
Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said the responsibility for protecting water quality is being placed on more than agriculture. She vowed she would not allow the water quality regulations to unfairly impinge on producers.
“I will continue to work to make sure that farmers are properly represented in these discussions.
“This is not just an agriculture issue. Water quality crosses all sectors. It crosses cottage owners, rural and cities. Everybody is going to have to make some adjustments in order to get to the goal of improving the water quality in this province.”
