Overview and Initiatives

Transcription

1 Overview and Initiatives Compost Matters in Ontario Workshop February 23, 2017 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

2 Linkages: Economics, Soil, Water, Climate & Land Agri-Food Growth Water Quality & Quantity Soil Health Climate Change Land Use Agri-food growth challenge Productivity Trade, exports Local food Profits, jobs Drought / Floods Access to water Water Protection Phosphorus / Algal Blooms Domestic Action Plan Soil organic matter Soil biodiversity Soil structure Fertility Erosion Extreme adverse weather Greenhouse gas emissions Adaptation Climate Change Action Plan Land use planning Provincial Policy Statement Provincial Plan Review Agricultural systems Research Policy Stewardship Education Productive and Sustainable Agriculture Sector

3 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

4 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

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6 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

7 What s different?

8 Changes in the Landscape that Decrease SOM

9 Change in Livestock Density over Time

10 Socio-Economic Changes over Time

11 Impact of Field Size and Crop Rotation over Time

12 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. 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 11

13 Soil Strategy Development Process Develop Consensus on Approach & Discussion Document Engagement Strategy Development Seek Input and Finalize Strategy Collaborative working group develops consensus on key issues, priorities and principles for action. Develop Discussion Document for consultation. Engagement on Discussion Document. Seek input on draft vision, goals and objectives. Finished Nov 27 Synthesize comments Working group refines consensus on key issues & priorities Develop consensus on actions needed. Develop soil health and conservation strategy document for consultation. Post draft Strategy. Seek input on draft vision, goals, objectives and actions. Seek broad support. Finalize strategy. Fall Spring 2016 Summer/Fall 2016 Fall / Winter PHASE 1 PHASE 2 12

14 Soil Management Soil Monitoring & Modelling Draft Vision: Healthy agricultural soils contribute to a productive economy, sustainable environment and thriving society Soil Information & Mapping Soil Knowledge & Innovation 13

15 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 14

16 Benefits of Soil Health 15

17 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

18 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 17

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20 Why do we need Organic Amendments?

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

23 Niagara OM (mean) over past 15 years is 3.67% (4.43 % in 1989 soil report)

24 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, Perth clay 137, Huron clay 13, Colwood fine sandy loam 15, Brisbane loam 13, Brady sand/sandy loam 18, ,900 acres

25 Where Should SOM levels be in Ontario? Organic Matter Level Rating for Different Soil Textures From Agronomy Guide for Field Crops - Publication 811 Texture Very Good Good Fair Poor Sand 3.1 % % % < 1.1% Sandy loam 3.6% % % < 1.5 % Loam 4.1 % % % < 2.0 % Clay loam 4.6% % % < 2.5 % Clay 4.6 % % % < 2.5 %

26 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 25

27 Map Layers Site-Specific on-line info Topographic map Aerial/topographic Canada Land Inventory Aerial/topographic/drainage Ag Maps:

28 Pilot Soil Mapping Areas

29 Planned LiDAR Acquisition Areas 28

30 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 soilrelated knowledge and skills to meet client needs effectively and economically Producers have access to knowledge needed to maintain and enhance soil health 29

31 Soil Knowledge & Innovation theme includes: Human resources, skilled professionals in soils Education & training in soils Research on soils Extension/ tech transfer regarding soils Soil Knowledge & Innovation 30

32 Can Crop Rotation Maintain SOM?

33 Bill Deen s work: Rotation 2 Estimated Carbon Sequestration lbs/acre/year Estimated Time 3 to increase SOM 1% years C-C-C-C C-C-Sb-Sb Not possible with only rotation C-C-Sb-W C-C-Sb-Wrc C-C-A-A A-A-A-A 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., C=Corn, Sb=Soybean, W=Wheat, Wrc=Wheat underseeded Red Clover; A=Alfalfa 3 Assumes 58% of SOM is made up of organic carbon

34 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

35 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

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38 Organic Amendments: Nutrients or Organic Matter? How long does it take and how much material is required to raise Soil Organic Matter by ~1% Amendment Type Total N (lbs/ton) C:N ratio Application rate (ton/ac) Stable C (lb/ton) % SOM increase 1% SOM (applicatons) N - P K 2 0 (lbs/ac)* (available) High C:N dairy 6 lbs , ,179 High C:N dairy , Mushroom compost , ,143-5,000-9,390 Mushroom compost , Solid Dairy manure , ,160-3,600-6,900 Solid Dairy manure , Leaf/yard compost , ,808-2,315-3,445 Leaf/yard compost , Solid Horse manure , ,836-3,103 Solid Horse manure , *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.

39 Nitrogen Leaf tissue N, P and K % Meaford Wiley New Grant Lowell Melancthon Blydorp Shelburne Horner % Critical Low Level = 2.5 % N Phosphorus % Potassium Meaford Wiley New Grant Lowell Melancthon Blydorp Shelburne Horner Critically Low Level = 1.20 % K 0 Meaford Wiley New Grant Lowell Melancthon Blydorp Shelburne Horner Critically low Level = 0.28 % P

40 Dosimeter Readings (ppm/hr) Comparing Ammonia Loss Trends Injected and Surface Applied Manure to Digestate R² = Surface Applied Digestate Surface Applied Manure Injected Digestate Injected Manure R² = R² = R² = check injected digestate surface digestate surface manure injected manure Hours After Application

41 Compost Study - Yield/Quality Results

42 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 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 41

43 Questions? Christine Brown Field Crop Sustainability Specialist OMAFRA - Woodstock Christine.brown1@ontario.ca