The Rural Voice, 2004-06, Page 24IMEN
Whether composted (above) or liquid, managing manure is causing farmers concern but researchers are helping.
The poop on poop
Researchers have been busg exploring mang aspects of the problems farmers
will have dealing with nutrient management with the Nutrient Management
Act coming into effect. Reports are flooding out.
As the deadline for
implementation of the
Nutrient Management Act
becomes pressing for more farmers,
the response of the research
community on various aspects of
nutrients has been an acceleration of
reports.
From the effect of low protein
diets on reducing odour to where to
find equipment for nutrient
management alternatives, groups of
scientists have been churning out
documents to try to help farmers deal
with this fast -developing issue.
Most recently, the Advanced
Manure Technologies for Ontario
20 THE RURAL VOICE
By Keith Roulston
(AMMTO) report was issued in
March wrapping up two years of
collecting information on new or
innovative technologies.
Supported by funding from the
Healthy Futures for Ontario Program,
a consortium of private farms and
commodity groups including Cold
Spring Farm, Premium Pork, Ontario
Pork, Ontario Poultry Council and
Ontario Pork industry Council
provided seed money to get
AMMTO going.
Over two years the project
developed a "Steps to Implement'.
database for livestock producers and
regulators to use to determine the
capabilities and limitations of manure
management technologies in meeting
the needs of Ontario farms. The
database includes a directory of
manure management technologies
available world wide, an information
request form, a database of manure
management technology information
and technical and economic decision-
making tools.
The decision-making process and
tools developed by AMMTO were
used to select and evaluate a new
manure management technology for
several case -study farms, typical of
farm sizes and types available in
Ontario. A "Zero Waste Discharge