Livestock Manure Pollution Prevention Project (P3)

The Livestock Manure Pollution Prevention Project was established to develop approaches that protect aquatic habitat and water quality as well as prevent fish kills by reducing manure spills and runoff from livestock operations.

A Working Group has been formed of experts from the agricultural community, academia and government. The Working Group is dedicated to helping farmers obtain information that will help them make the right manure management decisions on their farm.

This group will:

enhance communication between the partners,
promote research, and
produce brochures and displays to provide farmers with the options to help make good manure management decisions on their own farms.

Background
Over 35,000 livestock farms produce manure in Ontario. This resource may be used profitably in the production of many crops to:

improve crop yields
add organic material to improve the soil's water and nutrient holding capacity,
enhance soil porosity for better aeration and drainage,
reduce runoff and soil erosion potential through improved soil structure,
encourage growth of beneficial soil organisms.

When manure is not handled properly it can result in a spill, pollution surface water and groundwater. Problems may occur during any of the steps of manure management, including: collection, transfer, storage and application. If a manure spill reaches a stream it can create serious problems for aquatic life as well as for people and livestock.

Manure Spills Data (pdf map)
Across Ontario an average of 5,025 spills are reported each year, and one-fifth of these spills pollute a watercourse. While oils and fuels account for the majority of spilled materials, manure spills have been the leading cause of fish kills in the province since 1988. This is followed by chemical, oil/fuel/gas, and sediment spills. Fourteen percent of all reported manure spills resulted in fish kills.

Position Paper: High Level Spray Irrigation of Manure in Ontario
Prepared by P3 Working Group for the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition's Water Quality Working Group

TOP