Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship advises that soil temperatures have risen to the point that effective April 1, 2015, the restriction for the application of nutrients including livestock manure to agricultural land across Manitoba has been lifted.
All other requirements of the Nutrient Management Regulation and the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation remain in effect, including setback requirements for winter spreading of livestock manure. Nutrients cannot be applied to sensitive lands along waterways or to lands classified as Nutrient Management Zone N4.
Agricultural producers are obliged to assess current weather conditions and periodically check weather forecasts when applying nutrients prior to Apr. 11. Nutrients should not be applied in instances where the weather outlook is unfavourable. Those conditions include a forecast of snow or an appreciable amount of rainfall that would result in runoff.
Nutrient Management Regulation (62/2008) allows the director to lift the restriction on winter application of nutrients if weather conditions warrant.
More information on the restriction of winter application of nutrients is available at www.manitoba.ca/nutrientdates.
