Ontario Pork > Environment > Environment Resources

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Topic Categories:

AIR | LAND | WATER | DISPOSAL | LINKS AND RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENT: AIR
TOPIC	TYPE	SAMPLE OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS
Pit Foaming and Manure Gases info sheet	Info sheet	Published by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, this info sheet explains the occurrence of pit foaming and manure gases and safety precautions to undertake if foaming is suspected.
Responsible Manure Practices brochure	Brochure	Livestock producers care about their land and animals and work to farm in a sustainable manner. Taking proactive environmental measures can improve a farm’s bottom line. This brochure discusses new environmentally friendly manure applications and their benefits.
Hog Operations and Greenhouse Gases	Report	Greenhouse gas management may not be seen as a high priority when agricultural producers already have a full plate. However,after a closer look at the information, one may well come to see that the GHG issue is more about reframing existing knowledge under a new umbrella.
ManureNet: Website for Bioenergy & Manure Management	Web Link	ManureNet is a national information resource and coordination centre for Manure /Nutrient Management and Bioenergy Issues. ManureNet was started by Dr. Bruce Bowman in April, 1998 as a pilot project, initially funded by the Hog Environmental Management Strategy (HEMS). At the time, Bruce had been involved in managing environmental programs for Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in London, Ontario. By 2000, Bruce expanded the scope of ManureNet to start acquiring information on anaerobic digesters, in order to focus attention on the renewable energy issue in Canada, which had received minimal attention compared to its advanced state throughout Europe.
Manure Storage Safety	Suggestions	When manure is stored for a long period of time, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition. During this process, manure gases are produced. Warm weather and poor ventilation can increase the concentration of these gases. Liquid manure tanks therefore can produce toxic levels of gases, or result in a lack of oxygen. Agitating manure in a liquid storage also results in a rapid increase in the release of manure gases. In addition to the human risks, high gas levels can deteriorate exposed concrete above the liquid manure surface. Explosions have taken place when methane gas was allowed to accumulate in an enclosed space. (More Information: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture website)
Break Wind, Make Money - CO Media Release	Brochure	The four rows of windbreaks dramatically reduce wind and water erosion on the long gently sloping farm. As well, the crop yield advantage is very noticeable, extending 10 feet into the field for every foot of tree height. This has been documented through various research projects conducted on the farm.
New Diet Reduces Odour	Report	As populations expand into rural areas, more people are turning up their noses at malodorous livestock operations. Fortunately, a multistate team of researchers is working to introduce a breath of fresh air into these important facilities and reduce the environmental impact of animal waste. With funding from USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), Alan Sutton and colleagues at Purdue University, Michigan State University, and the University of Missouri developed and implemented diet modification strategies that reduce nutrient excretion and enhance air quality around pork operations.
Comprehensive Odour Management Solutions	Report	An extensive literature review has been conducted to collect and analyze information on technologies and practices in odour measurement and mitigation. The review and analysis are focused on the following nine areas: (1) odour measurement and odour evaluation technologies; (2) odour production and odour release quantification; (3) feed additives and dietary manipulation for odour reduction; (4) manure additives; (5) in-barn manure handling systems; (6) manure storage design and management; (7) biofiltration; (8) dust control; and (9) emerging technologies for odour measurement and control.
Best Technologies for Reducing Odour	Report	A three year research project was funded by the Manitoba Pork Producers Association to address the problems of odours, noxious gases and greenhouse gases produced in the popular deep pit curtain sided building. Several technologies were evaluated in pilot scale testing or laboratory testing while others were installed and monitored long term on full scale production facilities.
Hydrogen Sulfide Levels	Article	The hazards of hydrogen sulphide gases in liquid manure storages are well known. As well, the livestock and poultry industries continue to suffer financial losses from gas poisoning. These include death losses as well as reduced production. A new device has been developed to monitor gas, a small device that simply clips onto a piece of clothing. When first turned on, it emits one quick beep to indicate power supply. Then, a green light emitting diode (LED) lamp lights up every few seconds to indicate it is operating. As long as no excessive levels of hydrogen sulphide gas are emitted, it continues to operate this way.
Better Pork Odour	Report	Reducing odour associated with hog farming will be instrumental to the success of our industry. Ontario Pork and other organizations worldwide are searching for ways to reduce odour. Sorting through the enormous amount of information is quite daunting. Ontario Pork and others in the red meat sector in collaboration with The Prairie Swine Center Inc. in Saskatchewan produced an Environmental Issues Resource Centre database. Much of the information in this article can be found on this database. I have also summarized information from the National Pork Producers Council, Odour Solutions Committee.

ENVIRONMENT: LAND
TOPIC	TYPE	SAMPLE OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS
New Rules For Using Nutrients On Farms Become Law	Press Release	The new system will actually take effect on January 1, 2011 (UPDATE) New rules that establish consistent standards and requirements for applying nutrients to farmland are now law. This applies to nutrients called non-agricultural source materials (NASM), which include yard waste, fruit and vegetable peels, food processing waste, pulp and paper biosolids and sewage biosolids. The rules ensure NASM applied to the land at every Ontario farm meet strict criteria and are beneficial to the soil. This will protect the environment and the health of Ontarians. In addition, farmers accepting nutrients, haulers carrying it and those that generate NASM are now regulated by either the Nutrient Management Act (NMA) or the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), not both. This removes an overlapping approvalprocess.
New Regulatory Requirements for NASM	Web Link	A link to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment web page dealing with non-agricultural source materials (NASM). NASM includes yard waste, fruit and vegetable peels, food processing waste, pulp and paper biosolids and sewage biosolids. Proper spreading of these materials on farmland returns essential nutrients to the soil to help foster new plant growth. It allows the soil to breathe and hold water, decreasing water runoff and soil erosion and increasing overall water conservation. Soils that have good organic matter content are easier to work and plant roots can find water and nutrients more easily.
Nutrient Management Act	Web Link	This is a link to the government e-Laws page for the Nutrient Management Act. On the linked page you will find the complete legislation pertaining to the Nutrient Management act.
Nutrient Management Inspection Process	Report	(2007) Representatives of Ontario Pork and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition (OFEC) have been meeting with staff from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAFRA) over the past several months to discuss a risk based approach to completing nutrient management inspections. The MOE has 16 Agricultural Environmental Officers (AEO’s) positioned around Ontario who will be completing farm inspections to assess compliance of any producer that falls under the Nutrient Management Act. With a little over 1200 approved Nutrient Management Plans and Strategies approved in Ontario, there are fairly high odds of an inspection at some point over the next 3-years for every producer impacted by the Nutrient Management Act.

ENVIRONMENT: WATER
TOPIC	TYPE	SAMPLE OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS
Ministry of the Environment Clean Water Act	Web Link	The Clean Water Act ensures that communities can identify potential risks to their drinking water supplies, and take actions to reduce these risks. It brings members of the public together with: municipalities conservation authorities industry and business community groups farmers and landowners
Clean Water Act Consultations Presentation	Presentation	Ontario pork producers understand the importance of clean water legislation and why they must be vigilant in exercising best practices in environmental stewardship. We are quite proud of the way pork producers have stepped up to the plate since the passage of the nutrient management act, and we are certain they will continue to do so with workable clean water legislation containing proper economic incentives as recommended in the Walkerton Inquiry.

ENVIRONMENT: DISPOSAL
TOPIC	TYPE	SAMPLE OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS
Deadstock Disposal Act Brief	Brief	Proposed regulations set out requirements for the disposal of deadstock at the farm. The regulation will apply to all farms, regardless of whether or not the farm is under the NMAct This proposed regulation sets out requirements for the disposal of cattle, goats, sheep, horses and swine deer, elk, alpacas, llamas, bison, yaks, donkeys, ponies, rabbits, poultry and fowl, ratites, and fur bearing animals
Ontario Pork's Letter to Yves Tremblay (OMAFRA)	Letter	A letter sent by Ontario Pork on December 5, 2008 to Yves Tremblay, Policy Advisor, OMAFRA commenting on the proposed Deadstock Disposal Act. The letter states that Ontario Pork is in general agreement with the proposed changes to the Deadstock Disposal Act and then goes on to make suggestions on how ot improve it.

ENVIRONMENT: LINKS AND RESOURCES
TOPIC	TYPE	SAMPLE OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS
AGCare Website	Web Link	AGCare, Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment, is a coalition of farm organizations committed to communicating about agriculture and the environment. We are the voice of Ontario’s 45,000 farmers who grow fruit, vegetables, and field crops on environmental issues.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada	Web Link	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth. AAFC, along with its portfolio partners, reports to Parliament and Canadians through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs	Web Link	The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment, in consultation with stakeholders, have developed new regulations for the disposal of deadstock in Ontario. The Dead Animal Disposal Act (1968) was replaced by the Disposal of Dead Farm Animals regulation under the Nutrient Management Act and the Disposal of Deadstock regulation under the Food Safety and Quality Act. The new regulations came into force on Friday, March 27, 2009. They provide more disposal options for livestock producers and meat plant operators, with measures that will protect the environment.
Ontario Agri-Environmental Archive	Web Link	Over 500 pdf environmental reports from the 1970 – 2000 era are posted to this site with more being added all the time. Recently, more than 50 reports from CURB (Clean Up Rural Beaches have bee added to the archive) See CURB - http://agrienvarchive.ca/curb/curb.html
Ontario Farm Animal Council	Web Link	The Ontario Farm Animal Council is working hard to bridge the gap between farmers and the rest of society by providing facts and addressing concerns related to animal care, environment and food safety. OFAC was formed in 1988 to provide reliable information on current farming and food production practices. OFAC represents tens of thousands of livestock and poultry farmers, associated businesses and organizations across Ontario.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)	Web Link	As the largest, voluntary general farm organization in the country, OFA has more than 38,000 members, as well as 32 organizational members and affiliates representing most agricultural commodity groups. Today the OFA continues to work hard to ensure that all levels of government hear Ontario farmers' concerns. With 52 County and regional federations providing strong, local leadership, and 32 organizational members and affiliates the OFA is leading the way into the new millennium for farmers.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs	Web Link	OMAFRA, through environmental management activities, promotes the wise use of rural Ontario’s land and water resources while enhancing the protection of the natural environment. In this part of the website you can find information on many different topics. This includes information on: agricultural drainage, barn structures and farm safety, engineering and innovative technology, environmental programs, nutrient management and many more topics.
Ontario Soil and Crop Association	Web Link	The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), founded in 1939, is a unique non-profit farm organization. Our dedicated membership represents virtually all commodity groups across the province.
Prairie Swine Centre	Web Link	Prairie Swine Centre Inc. is a non-profit research and technology corporation with expertise in three disciplines – nutrition, engineering and animal behaviour. The mission of Prairie Swine Centre Inc. is “to be a Centre of Excellence in research, graduate education and technology transfer, all directed at efficient sustainable pork production.”
Soil Conservation Council of Canada	Web Link	The Soil Conservation Council of Canada is the face and voice of soil conservation in Canada. It is a national, non-governmental, independent organization, formed in 1987, to provide a non-partisan public forum to speak and act at the national level for soil conservation.

This page was last updated on: Tuesday, December 07, 2010