Friday, November 3, 2017

Subsidies offered to custom manure applicators

There is up to $25,000 available from the federal and provincial governments for custom manure applicators to buy new equipment and technologies.

The money is available on a first come basis, and the program is administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.

The aim is to improve soil health by applying manure according to best management practices, including accurate phosphorous application to avoid water pollution.

“It’s the multiplier effect that is so significant within the Manure and Biosolids Management Program” said Andrew Graham, executive director of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.

“Each implemented Best Management Practice can benefit soil health on many farm properties. The potential impacts are exponential.”

Improving soil health is also an important part of the agri-food industry’s work to mitigate climate change, the association said.

Funding is available to customize spreading equipment to allow in-crop application, or to allow slurry seeding of cover crops. There is also an Innovative Approaches BMP that allows businesses to invest in up-and-coming technology that is not yet available in Ontario.

“There are new ideas coming forward from around the world for precision manure application and data management,” says Mack Emiry, president of OSCIA.

“The Innovative Approaches BMP encourages businesses to invest in these technologies, raising the bar for nutrient management here in Ontario.”

Funding is restricted to those who have an up-to-date Nutrient Application Technician Licence and/or an up-to-date Prescribed Materials Application Business Licence.