Clock ticks on farmer-targeted funding programs to improve pollinator health and reduce phosphorus in lakes in areas of Ontario

Friday, March 20, 2015

by MIKE BEAUDIN

Farmers in the Lake Erie and Southeast Shores of Lake Huron (GLASI) watersheds may be eligible for two new funding programs aimed at improving pollinator health and reducing the amount of phosphorus in the southern Great Lakes.

The manure and biosolids management program and the dust deflector program, administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), are part of a partnership between the federal and provincial governments to improve agricultural practices.

The programs were announced in late February and close on March 31.

Producers must be licensed nutrient application technicians or prescribed materials application licence holders to be eligible. Funding of 75 per cent, up to $25,000 per business, is available to help implement one or more best management practices. These practices include modifications to existing equipment to enable injection applications and in-crop applications, and to increase the precision of applications, said Christine Schmalz, the association’s environmental programs manager.

“The budget for these two cost-share programs is sizable and will allow OSCIA to support a significant number of projects,” said Schmalz. “With the very restricted project completion timelines associated with this program (April 1, 2014-March 31-2015) I don't believe budget will be a limiting factor.”

She said the programs encourage producers to install or create equipment that suits their specific needs. Some producers designed dust deflectors for planters where factory made or after-market options are not available.

“With the manure and biosolids management program, we are seeing projects that aim to increase the precision of nutrient applications and improve record keeping and data management.  We are optimistic that the program will allow companies interested in adopting in-crop manure applications the opportunity to customize equipment.”

So far the OSCIA has received 22 applications for the manure and biosolids program and 18 applications for the dust deflector program.

Schmalz said the programs allow producers to implement technology they might otherwise find too costly. The program encourages producers to consider the health of soil by increasing precision, spreading through standing crops, slurry seeding, reducing soil compaction and improving spills management.

“These could have wide-ranging benefits given the number of acres many of these (producers) work on.”

She said innovations in field operations would have wide reaching benefits across the target watersheds. When manure or biosolids are injected below the soil surface the risks for runoff to nearby surface water are reduced and nutrients are carefully placed where they will benefit the crop, and not enter the water supply. Dust deflectors are seen as a balanced approach to the problems associated with pollinators.

Schmalz said funding is targeted to the Lake Erie watershed and the southeast shores of Lake Huron because 60 per cent of Ontario’s registered farms are located there.

She said the cost-share program supports farmers interested in adopting innovative practices.
“Ontario farmers are concerned about what’s happening with pollinator populations in the province . . . this is another opportunity for farmers to demonstrate that they’re taking positive action to maintain pollinator health.”

GLASI’s dust deflector program allows farmers to apply for 75 per cent cost-share, up to $3,000, for installing dust deflectors on their vacuum planters. The opportunity extends to factory installed, aftermarket, and custom designed on-farm deflectors.

Both programs are available until March 31, 2015. Funding is retroactive to April 1, 2014 for activities that took place last season and over the winter. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested are encouraged to move quickly, said the release.

More information on the programs can be found at www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs.htm. BF