Project: MLMMI 99-01-30
Objective
ECOMatters has developed a landscape model suitable for linking to geographic information systems. The objective is to adapt the landscape model to reflect farm settings in Manitoba, especially in areas where large manure applications are common. With the model results, agronomists will have an excellent tool to communicate about soil P loading with environmental regulators and the public.
Performer
Steve Sheppard,
ECOMatters Inc.
Details
Status: Completed
Started: 1999-07-07
Completed: 2000-07-11
Funding Partners: who have contributed to MLMMI in support of this project:
ARDI - $13,075
Manitoba Pork Council and industry groups - $13,075
Amount Funded: $26,150.00
Performer Funded: $26,100.00
Total Cost: $52,250.00
Activity
Interim Reports received October 5/99, January 7/00 & April 3/00
Final Report due July 7, 2000; received July 11/00
Presentation to the Board August 25/00
Summary
When manure, or other nutrient-rich materials are added to the soil, nitrogen is the nutrient usually used to determine the application rate. Phosphorous is another nutrient in manure which can impact the environment when applied in excess. Fortunately, phosphorous is relatively immobile in the soil. However if applied to excess year after year, then there is a chance for it to become an environmental problem as runoff and erosion carries it to ponds and streams.
This project is designed to establish acceptable P levels on farm land and determine how it behaves under various soil and moisture conditions by developing a model that simulates various field and soil conditions and follows the movement of P through plant uptake under different field profiles and rainfall situations.
The Nutrient Loading Model (NLM) accomplishes this in both a forward or "predictive" sense and in a reverse or "regulatory" sense. In the predictive mode, it predicts the level of P in streams that results from nutrient applications to the soil. In the reverse mode, it starts with the P concentration in the water that would be considered acceptable and establishes the amount of P that could be added to the soil to not exceed this downstream water concentration.
Once the model is tested and gains acceptance from those involved in watershed studies of soil erosion, it will be a valuable tool for resource protection agencies and livestock manure managers.