Manitoba livestock producers on edge over manure rules

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Published: June 6, 2002

The Manitoba Pork Council says the provincial government’s efforts to

protect the environment are making it tougher for hog producers to make

a living.

The province plans to put more manure application regulations in place

by the end of the year, adding to the growing list of regulations for

Manitoba’s livestock producers.

“Every time we see a new program come to the industry, it knocks out

more of the family farm operations,” said Karl Kynoch, a Baldur, Man.,

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hog producer and pork council vice-chair.

“They’re getting fed up with regulations. It’s just getting

overwhelming.”

The province wants to amend the Pesticides and Fertilizers Control Act

to ensure individuals applying manure from large livestock operations

are trained, certified and licensed by the province. Proposed

amendments to the act were recently introduced in the Manitoba

legislature.

If implemented, the regulations would apply to custom manure

applicators and large livestock operations hauling manure to land other

than their own.

Agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said the changes would better

regulate the transportation and application of manure. They would also

help balance the needs of a growing livestock industry with the need to

protect the environment, she said.

“I don’t see this as a negative. I see it as a positive.”

Kynoch agreed that the proposed changes would offer hog industry

critics added assurances that the manure is being managed properly.

However, the extra regulations would bring additional costs, he said,

which would ultimately be borne by livestock producers.

And Kynoch is concerned that the regulations for larger livestock

operations will eventually be extended to include all livestock farms,

regardless of their size.

“Eventually I won’t be able to haul my own manure without taking

training or sending my employees to take the training.”

Wowchuk said the government will consult with producers and the public

before passing the proposed changes.

Manitoba can either develop its own regulations for manure management

or risk having rules imposed by the federal government through the

concept of farm plans, she said.

Larry Schweitzer, a director of the Manitoba Cattle Producers

Association and general manager of Hamiota Feedlot Ltd., hopes the

province will keep the proposed regulations as straightforward as

possible.

Most cattle producers have enough land to accommodate the manure

produced by their livestock.

However, the proposed changes would still affect the cattle industry,

since there are producers and feedlots that hire custom applicators to

spread manure for them.

Existing manure management rules apply to livestock operations with 400

animal units or more. The province is considering lowering that

threshold to 300 animal units.

Schweitzer said the existing regulations create added paperwork as well

as added cost, because operations with more than 400 animal units have

to file manure management plans and have soil testing done before they

can apply manure to fields.

He said the paperwork isn’t too bad, but the soil testing, which has to

be done at least once a year, costs quite a bit.

Under the legislative amendments, all commercial manure applicators

would have to:

  • Be formally certified and licensed.
  • Take training in manure nutrient management planning, equipment

calibration, spills and liability issues associated with manure

management, handling, transport and applications.

  • Carry insurance spelled out by the regulations.

Inspectors would have the authority to do inspections and examine

records to ensure the rules were being complied with. They could also

stop and inspect vehicles hauling manure.

Small livestock operations and those that apply manure to their own

land would be exempt from the new rules.

According to the province, the procedures for certifying and licensing

manure applicators would be similar to those already required for

commercial pesticide applicators, who must complete a recognized course

and pass an exam delivered by Assiniboine Community College before

being licensed.

About the author

Ian Bell

Brandon bureau

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