Overview and Initiatives

Compost Matters in Ontario Workshop – February 23, 2017

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Linkages: Economics, Soil, Water, Climate & Land

Productive and Sustainable Agriculture

Sector

Climate Change

Extreme adverse weather Greenhouse gas emissions Adaptation Climate Change Action Plan

Soil Health

Soil organic matter Soil biodiversity Soil structure Fertility Erosion

Water Quality & Quantity

Drought / Floods Access to water

Water Protection Phosphorus / Algal Blooms Domestic Action Plan

Agri-food growth challenge Productivity Trade, exports Local food Profits, jobs

Policy

Research

Education

Stewardship

Land use planning Provincial Policy Statement Provincial Plan Review Agricultural systems

Land Use Agri-Food Growth

Initiatives/Policies:

• Soil Health Strategy

• Great Lakes Water Quality (phosphorus reduction)

• Climate Change (greenhouse gas reduction)

• Pollinator Health

• Decrease/eliminate organics from landfill (MOECC)

BMPs around these issues are being evaluated

All of these initiatives have BMPs where increasing soil organic matter as a common denominator

Need for Shared Vision & Strategy

• Changes in tillage and other practices may be affecting soil health.

• Soil degradation can reduce productivity (as much as 40+% yield loss).

• Climate change is increasing risks (extreme weather, more erosion, drought).

• Changing government priorities & capacity to provide data, advice, analysis.

SHARED LEADERSHIP to ensure long-term soil productivity

• government,

• agriculture industry and

• other partners

• Partnerships have led to major progress in adoption of soil management BMPs.

SHARED INTEREST to feed and supply growing population by:

• Sustaining the productive capacity of our soils

• Ensuring availability of data, knowledge, and tools for sustainable soil management

1985-1992

Previous Soil Conservation Program - Highlights

Collaborative approach that included: • Conservation practices became part of “normal farming”

• Program dollars (e.g., OSCEPAP, Land Stewardship)

• Innovative farmers association

• Agriculture industry involvement

• Researchers talked to Ontario farmers

• Government “feet on the ground” – equipment trials, structural erosion control, farmer conservation clubs

• Economics – not just “for societal good”

What’s different?

Changes in the Landscape that Decrease SOM

Change in Livestock Density over Time

Socio-Economic Changes over Time

Impact of Field Size and Crop Rotation over Time

A Collaborative Approach • Collaborative approach reflects shared responsibility.

• Strategy - reflect shared responsibility

– gain support from farmers, farm groups and other partners.

• Technical working group

– Farm groups, academia, conservation groups, federal government.

– Helped develop Discussion Document.

– Build support and shared responsibility.

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Working Group Participants

Chair

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and

Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

Members

Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Conservation Authorities

Universities and Research Community

Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association

Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Soil Conservation Council of Canada

Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Farm and Food Care

National Farmers Union

Soil Strategy Development Process

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Develop Consensus on Approach &

Discussion Document

Collaborative working group develops consensus on key issues, priorities and principles for action.

Develop Discussion Document for consultation.

Fall 2015 - Spring 2016

Engagement

Engagement on Discussion Document.

Seek input on draft vision, goals and objectives.

Finished Nov 27

Summer/Fall 2016

Strategy Development

Synthesize comments

Working group refines consensus on key issues & priorities

Develop consensus on actions needed.

Develop soil health and conservation strategy document for consultation.

Fall / Winter 2016-2017

Seek Input and Finalize Strategy

Post draft Strategy.

Seek input on draft vision, goals, objectives and actions.

Seek broad support.

Finalize strategy.

2017

PHASE 1 PHASE 2

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Soil Management Soil Information &

Mapping

Soil Monitoring & Modelling

Soil Knowledge &

Innovation

Draft Vision: Healthy agricultural soils

contribute to a productive economy,

sustainable environment and thriving society

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Soil management practices sustain soil health and productivity for societal, economic and

environmental needs

Soil health is sustained and enhanced to keep farmland productive

Soil erosion from tillage, water and wind is minimized

Soil is conserved to support production of, and access to, food and other products

Soil health is enhanced to improve water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address other environmental issues

Benefits of Soil Health

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Building on Current Activities

• Education and Technology Transfer on soil best practices

– Technical advice

– Publications, workshops, meetings

• Risk assessment

– Environmental Farm Planning

• Identification of risks to soil

• Promotion of soil best practices

– Farmland Health Check Up

• Cost sharing on soil practice changes

– Growing Forward 2

– Great Lakes Agriculture Stewardship Initiative

– Conservation Authority programs

• Soil inventory and mapping

• Research - University of Guelph, government, Industry

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Health and status of Ontario’s agricultural soils are tracked over time

Capacity is developed to track changes in agricultural soil health, erosion and

soil organic matter

Soil health and erosion monitoring is used to inform and evaluate policy and

programs

Why do we need Organic Amendments?

Essex OM (mean) over past 15 years is 3.47% (In 1949 soil report 70% of farms tested had > 6% OM)

Niagara OM (mean) over past 15 years is 3.67%

(4.43 % in 1989 soil report)

Lambton OM (mean) over past 15 years is 4.16 %

In 1957 Soil Report the average SOM level was about 7.14 %

Lambton County acres %OM

Brookston Clay 308,300 8.226

Perth clay 137,300 5.77

Huron clay 13,900 5.23

Colwood fine sandy loam 15,300 4.13

Brisbane loam 13,600 6.35

Brady sand/sandy loam 18,500 3.84

506,900 acres

Texture Very Good Good Fair Poor

Sand 3.1 % + 2.1 – 3.0 % 1.2 – 2.0 % < 1.1%

Sandy

loam 3.6% + 2.6 – 3.5 % 1.6 – 2.5 % < 1.5 %

Loam 4.1 % + 3.1 – 4.0 % 2.1 – 3.5 % < 2.0 %

Clay loam 4.6% + 3.6 – 4.5 % 2.6 – 3.5 % < 2.5 %

Clay 4.6 % + 3.6 – 4.5 % 2.6 – 3.5 % < 2.5 %

Organic Matter Level Rating for Different Soil Textures From Agronomy Guide for Field Crops - Publication 811

Where Should SOM levels be in Ontario?

25

Reliable soils information and tools are available to allow for informed decision-making and analysis by

producers, industry, government and the public

Soil inventory data are well documented, replicable and defensible

Soil information is comprehensive, accessible, flexible and widely available

Accessible soil data provide for a wide range of analysis and decision-making

Ag Maps: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/landuse/gis/portal.htm

Canada Land Inventory

Aerial/topographic/drainage

Aerial/topographic Topographic map

Map Layers – Site-Specific on-line info

Pilot Soil Mapping Areas 2016-18

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Planned LiDAR Acquisition Areas

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Soil knowledge and skills are optimized to meet societal and economic needs and drive innovation

Sustain human resource capacity in soils knowledge to meet priorities

The education sector supports programs for appropriate soils knowledge and skills

Ongoing research supports innovation in soil knowledge and management

Industry has access to people with soil-related knowledge and skills to meet client

needs effectively and economically

Producers have access to knowledge needed to maintain and enhance soil health

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Soil Knowledge &

Innovation

Soil Knowledge & Innovation theme includes:

• Human resources, skilled professionals in soils

• Education & training in soils

• Research on soils

• Extension/ tech transfer regarding soils

Can Crop Rotation Maintain SOM?

Bill Deen’s work:

Rotation2 Estimated Carbon

Sequestration

Estimated Time3 to increase

SOM 1%

lbs/acre/year years

C-C-C-C --- ---

C-C-Sb-Sb - 240 Not possible with only rotation

C-C-Sb-W 425 81

C-C-Sb-Wrc 555 62

C-C-A-A 945 36

A-A-A-A 1,680 21 1 extrapolated information using “Cost efficient rotation and tillage options to sequester carbon and

mitigate GHG emissions from agriculture in E. Canada”, Meyer-Aurich, A., Janovicek, K., Deen, B.,

Weersink, A., 2006

2 C=Corn, Sb=Soybean, W=Wheat, Wrc=Wheat underseeded Red Clover; A=Alfalfa

3 Assumes 58% of SOM is made up of organic carbon

Take Home Message:

Current Field Crop Rotations will not maintain

organic matter levels without the use of:

• More diverse rotations

• Cover crops and/or

• Organic Amendments

Categories of Organic Amendments • Solid Manures / Biosolids / Immature Compost

– Nutrient rich,

– Odours, pathogens

– High carbon/organic matter

• Unrestricted Compost – manure and municipal

• Liquid Manures / Anaerobic Digestate – Available nutrient rich

– Higher environmental risk with application

– Potential for high pH, high ammonia,

– Low carbon/organic matter

• Processed Biosolids – e.g. N-Viro, Pellets, LysteGro

• Other – Biochar

Amendment Type Total N

(lbs/ton)

C:N

ratio

Application

rate (ton/ac)

Stable C

(lb/ton)

% SOM

increase

1% ↑

SOM (applicatons)

N - P205 - K20 (lbs/ac)*

(available)

High C:N dairy 6 lbs 49 340 19,992 1.0 1 327 – 625 - 1,179

High C:N dairy 6 49 150 8,820 0.44 2.3 145 - 276 – 520

Mushroom compost 24.8 10 400 99,200 1.0 1 3,143 - 5,000 - 9,390

Mushroom compost 24.8 10 25 1,240 0.062 16 196 – 313 - 587

Solid Dairy manure 18.32 16 341 19,991 1.0 1 1,160 - 3,600 - 6,900

Solid Dairy manure 18.32 16 32 1,875 0.094 10.6 109 – 338 – 650

Leaf/yard compost 19.6 17 300 19,992 1.0 1 1,808 - 2,315 - 3,445

Leaf/yard compost 19.6 17 34 2,266 0.113 8.8 204 - 263 – 390

Solid Horse manure 10 30 333 19,980 1.0 1 801 - 1,836 - 3,103

Solid Horse manure 10 30 62 3,720 0.186 5.4 149 - 342 - 578

*NMAN3 data using average database nutrient values for application 1 x per 3 years for a 180 bu corn crop

Materials are not created equally – Need to know the nutrient and OM, C:N ratio of the materials being considered.

Organic Amendments: Nutrients or Organic Matter?

How long does it take and how much material is required to raise Soil Organic Matter by ~1%

Leaf tissue N, P and K

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Wiley Grant Blydorp Horner

Critical Low Level = 2.5 % N

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

Wiley Grant Blydorp Horner

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Wiley Grant Blydorp Horner

Critically low Level = 0.28 % P

Critically Low Level = 1.20 % K

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Potassium

Meaford New Lowell Melancthon Shelburne

Meaford New Lowell Melancthon Shelburne

Meaford New Lowell Melancthon Shelburne

%

%

%

R² = 0.8138

R² = 0.8001

R² = 0.8277

R² = 0.8265

-200

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Do

sim

ete

r R

ead

ings

(p

pm

/hr)

Hours After Application

Comparing Ammonia Loss Trends – Injected and Surface Applied Manure to Digestate

check

injected digestate

surface digestate

surface manure

injected manure

Surface Applied Digestate Surface Applied Manure Injected Digestate Injected Manure

Compost Study - Yield/Quality Results 2011-2015

Next Steps for Soil Strategy

• Consultation completed November 27 on soil discussion paper

• Continue work with technical working group

• Release draft soil strategy summer 2017

• Another round of consultation

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Theme Soil Working Group Meeting

Begin strategy development December

Soil Management January, March

Soil Data & Mapping March

Soil Evaluation & Monitoring March or April

Soil Knowledge & Innovation April

Putting it Together: Draft Strategy May

Approvals June

Consultation on draft strategy After approvals

Questions?

Christine Brown Field Crop Sustainability Specialist OMAFRA - Woodstock Christine.brown1@ontario.ca 519-537-8305