Environmental stewardship: field operations

This section covers soil, nutrient, pest and manure management and provides information and resources on practices to help reduce the environmental impacts of your field operations.

Soil is the basis of farming. It delivers water and nutrients to crops, physically supports plants, helps control pests, determines where rainfall goes after it hits the earth and protects the quality of drinking water, air and wildlife habitats. The goal of soil management is to protect the soil and enhance its performance so you can farm profitably and preserve the quality of the environment for decades to come.


The greatest benefit to a good crop rotation is increased yields. A well-planned crop rotation will help with insect and disease control and aid in maintaining and improving soil structure and organic matter levels. Using a variety of crops can reduce weed pressures, spread the workload and protect against soil erosion.



The optimal rotation depends on factors including available moisture and nutrients, disease and weed levels, herbicide use records, equipment availability, commodity prices and ability and desire to accept risk. The optimal rotation can vary from field to field for the same farm and from year to year for the same field.

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality


Soil compaction can impair water infiltration into soil, crop emergence, root penetration and crop nutrient and water uptake, all of which result in depressed crop yield. Ideally, farmers should design their soil management and cropping practices to ensure the prevention of soil compaction. Here are some examples of techniques that could be considered:



  • correct tire inflation and/or tracks

  • use of dual tractor tires

  • addition of a deep tap rooted crop to your rotation (e.g. alfalfa)

  • traffic pattern control on fields

  • no equipment traffic on wet soils

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Soil erosion can induce significant economic and agronomic losses for your farm. The adoption of various soil conservation measures to reduce soil erosion can therefore be profitable. These include tillage and cropping practices, as well as land management practices, which directly affect soil erosion. Windbreaks, buffer strips and grassed waterways are other examples of practices that could contribute to reducing erosion. Cover/companion cropping in annual crops and including perennial crops in the rotation are also means to reduce vulnerability to erosion by increasing the period when soil is covered with vegetation. No-till contributes to soil stabilization and protection by leaving crop residues at the soil surface. A combination of approaches or more extreme measures may also be considered (e.g. contour plowing, strip-cropping or terracing).

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Soil organic matter and the soil organisms that live on it are critical to many soil processes since they influence several of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Building soil organic matter may be the most important thing you can do to enhance long-term soil performance. More specifically, it provides benefits to soil health by:



  • delivering 90% to 95% of nitrogen in unfertilized soils (nitrogen is the key nutrient and controlling factor for plant growth)

  • improving soil structure by increasing the aggregation of soil particles (promotes aeration, infiltration and percolation)

  • increasing plant available water or water available to plants in-between field capacity (water remaining in the soil after saturated soil has drained) and permanent wilting point (when plants wilt but cannot recover despite the addition of water)



Using plant cover crops, reducing tillage and adding organic matter inputs can help sustain soil life and increase organic matter content. Monitoring organic matter and keeping records will allow you to measure the effects of your practices and manage your soil more efficiently.

Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Soil health
  • Water quality


Conservation tillage is any method of soil cultivation that leaves the previous year's crop residue (e.g. corn stalks or wheat stubble) on fields before and after planting the next crop to reduce soil erosion and runoff. To provide these conservation benefits, at least 30% of the soil surface must be covered with residue after planting the next crop. Some conservation tillage methods forego traditional tillage entirely and leave 70% residue or more.



The benefits of conservation tillage include:



  • reduction of soil erosion by as much as 60%-90%, depending on the conservation tillage method

  • conservation of water by reducing evaporation at the soil surface

  • reduction of compaction potential due to reduced traffic on fields

  • savings in time and money (lower fuel, labour, tractor use and machinery maintenance costs)

  • optimization of soil moisture, enhancing crop growth in dry periods or on drought-stricken soils

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality

Nutrient management is using nutrients as efficiently as possible to improve productivity while protecting the environment. Nutrients, both organic and inorganic, that are not effectively used by crops have the potential to leach into groundwater or enter nearby surface waters via overland runoff or subsurface agricultural drainage systems. Therefore, a major principle of crop nutrient management is to prevent the over-application of nutrients, including manure.


A nutrient management plan is a farm document that determines an appropriate application rate for the land base and application standards. Nutrient management planning is a beneficial management practice that aims to optimize crop yield and quality, minimize fertilizer input costs and protect soil and water. The principles are simple and include:



  • applying fertilizer only to make up the difference between what is in the soil and what is required to achieve the target yield (also ensuring cost-effectiveness for the producer)

  • ensuring that the added nutrient is available to the crop



In other words, you should always apply the right amount of the right product in the right place at the right time (4R).

Priority practice

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Spraying equipment must apply fertilizer at recommended doses. To do so, it must be calibrated regularly and according to the equipment and production system. Farmers should:



  • consult professionals to best adjust the equipment

  • for each tractor and types of fertilizer used, periodically check the ground speed and the proper functioning of all of the parts of the spraying equipment to meet application rates

  • ensure consistency of application

  • adjust the sprayer to avoid compaction and enable incorporation

Priority practice
Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Dairy farms should avoid the application of manure on frozen, snow-covered or saturated soils. There is no agronomic value to applying manure on frozen, snow-covered or saturated soils and the potential for surface water contamination increases significantly because the soil cannot absorb the manure. Field work on very wet soils can also lead to soil compaction and ruts in the field. Applying manure in the spring rather than the fall could lead to a 10% reduction in direct and indirect N2O emissions.

Priority practice

Potential benefits:

  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness

Dairy Farmers of Canada (2015) - Reference Manual: Evironment. proAction® Initiative. Draft version of July 2015


Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Conservation practices


Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Program (2015) - Dairy AGGP Science Coordination and Implementation Workshop : Summary Report. April 16-17th 2015, Ottawa. 23 pages


University of Guelph (2017) - Cropping Practices to Mitigate Greenhouse Gases


Livestock waste with liquid manure management should be spread with low ramp equipment or other low-pressure sprinkling irrigation equipment.

Priority practice

Potential benefits:

  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Soil tests can help determine the status of plant available nutrients to develop fertilizer recommendations to achieve optimum crop production. Soils should be analyzed at least every five years and more frequently (every two to three years), if possible. All fields should be sampled and fields with widely varying soil or topographical conditions should be divided into sections for sampling. Certain provincial regulations related to nutrient management prescribe minimum requirements for analyses related to nutrient management plans.

Priority practice
Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality

La COOP fédérée (2013) - La Gestion durable d'une entreprise agricole


SAI Platform Dairy Working Group (2009) - Principles & Practices for Sustainable Dairy Farming


Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Program (2015) - Dairy AGGP Science Coordination and Implementation Workshop : Summary Report. April 16-17th 2015, Ottawa. 23 pages


Alberta Agriculture and Forestry - Crop Nutrition and Fertilizer Requirements


Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Conservation practices


Dairy Farmers of Canada (2015) - Reference Manual: Evironment. proAction® Initiative. Draft version of July 2015


University of Guelph (2017) - Cropping Practices to Mitigate Greenhouse Gases


Manure analysis is necessary because the amounts of nutrients contained in manure vary from farm to farm (especially the phosphorus, potash and nutrient components). The type ration, bedding, added liquids and storage system all affect the final nutrient analysis. By using manure tests to determine nutrient content, you will be able to apply manure at agronomically-beneficial rates and minimize the purchase of commercial fertilizer. Most provincial agriculture departments and nutrient management specialists can provide guidelines for accurate manure sampling.

Priority practice
Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Soil health
  • Water quality

OMAFRA - Soil Fertility and Nutrient Use: Manure Management


Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Conservation practices


Dairy Farmers of Canada (2015) - Reference Manual: Evironment. proAction® Initiative. Draft version of July 2015

Pest management is an important component of agricultural production. Pests can have a detrimental effect by affecting both the quantity and quality of crops. The goal of pest management is to provide effective, cost-effective and safe long-term pest control.


An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy combines all available tools to reduce pest populations to an acceptable level as cost-effectively and ecologically as possible. These tools include cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical pest control measures and regular pest monitoring to prevent, measure, anticipate and avoid or reduce agrochemical use on your farm. Adopting an IPM is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective solution to control pest.

Potential benefits:

  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


The calibration of pesticide equipment ensures that the correct amount of pesticide is applied. If too little is applied, you may not control the targeted pests. If too much is applied, your chemical costs increase, you may be in violation of the law and there may be negative effects on humans, livestock and the environment.

Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


The best way to eliminate any environmental risk associated with pesticide storage is to avoid storing pesticides on the farm. If you cannot use the pesticides within a reasonable time, make storage arrangements with your supplier or minimize the volumes you have by sharing the extra pesticides with your neighbours.
If you must store pesticides, you should:



  • store minimal amounts of product (storage time should not exceed the growing season)

  • use secondary containment made of an impermeable material to contain possible leaks

  • ensure that all original containers retain the manufacturer labels and all secondary containers are properly labelled (contents and date)

  • consult the label for specific storage instructions

  • do not store pesticides with or near food, feed, seed, drinking water, protective equipment or emergency response equipment

  • return unopened or non-compromised product to the dealer for a refund

Priority practice
Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Business risk
  • Biodiversity
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Federal regulations require that pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides) be mixed and applied in accordance with label instructions. When mixing pesticides, you should:



  • not mix pesticides or fill sprayer near a well or watercourse of any kind

  • use a water supply system designed to prevent pesticide backflow to the water source

  • clean up spills immediately

Priority practice

Potential benefits:

  • Profitability
  • Biodiversity
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness

Dairy Farmers of Canada (2015) - Reference Manual: Evironment. proAction® Initiative. Draft version of July 2015


When applying pesticides, you should:



  • avoid application in windy conditions (e.g. over 20 km/h) and when rain is expected

  • avoid application when bees and other insects are most active

  • identify sensitive areas and establish buffer zones

  • maintain all spraying equipment in proper order

  • use an adapted application technology (droplet size, release height, aerial application, etc.)

  • inform neighbours prior to application

  • ensure that pesticide handlers have all the required certification/accreditation/training

Priority practice

Potential benefits:

  • Biodiversity
  • Soil health
  • Water quality


Application thresholds can maintain or improve crop quality and reduce the frequency of pesticide application. Less frequent applications help maintain pesticide efficacy by curbing pesticide resistance. They also reduce disruptions to practices that occur during application and re-entry intervals. In addition, fewer applications may improve plant growth and quality by minimizing phytotoxicity. Finally, less frequent applications increase profits by reducing pesticide purchasing, application labour and regulatory compliance costs.

Potential benefits:

  • Biodiversity
  • Soil health
  • Water quality

Storage is a necessary part of livestock production since manure should only be incorporated into the soil or spread on fields at certain times of year. The extent to which these nutrients can be returned to the soil and made available to crops depends on how the manure is stored and handled. Proper storage is therefore important to maximize the efficient use of manure—a valuable soil resource.


A well-designed manure storage system is an asset to any livestock enterprise. Manure should be stored in a structure that will retain nutrients for application during crop growth. A poor management system leads to the untimely application of manure to land that could potentially harm the environment. Your manure storage facilities should therefore account for the:



  • requirements of the Canadian Farm Building Code

  • location of the structure in relation to other buildings on the farm

  • amount of manure generated by all of the livestock on the farm and projected increases in the near future

  • minimum period of storage required for the farm

  • amount of milking centre wash water, rainwater and other wastewater stored

  • safety features to protect livestock, farm workers and children

Priority practice

Potential benefits:

  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness
  • Workers's well-being


All farms should have a preventative maintenance plan for manure structures. The review should be carried out at least once a year. The maintenance plan may include the examination of the concrete tanks for cracks, fence and gate conditions and functionality and, in case of liquid manure, the inspection of inlet pipes and the concrete around them, valves and transfer pipes, etc. If any problems with the manure storage structure are detected, hire a specialist to check and correct the problem. One of the best times to conduct preventative maintenance on a manure storage structure is when the structure is empty.

Priority practice
Easy to implement

Potential benefits:

  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness

OMAFRA (2010) - Storage of Liquid Manure


Nova Scotia Agriculture (2006) - Manure Management Guidelines


Dairy Farmers of Canada (2015) - Reference Manual: Evironment. proAction® Initiative. Draft version of July 2015


Covered storage is an effective way to minimize odours. Storage covers reduce occasional manure agitation caused by wind and rain and the movement of malodorous air from storage areas to neighbouring residences.



Covers may also be used to keep precipitation out, ensure safe operations and reduce manure hauling costs. Covers can also help reduce methane emissions from storage. For instance, applying straw cover could reduce CH4 emissions during storage by up to 15%.

Potential benefits:

  • Climate change
  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness

PEI Agriculture and Forestry - Best Management Practice; Agricultural Waste Management


Nova Scotia Agriculture (2006) - Manure Management Guidelines


Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Program (2015) - Dairy AGGP Science Coordination and Implementation Workshop : Summary Report. April 16-17th 2015, Ottawa. 23 pages


University of Guelph (2017) - Manure Management Practices to Mitigate Greenhouse Gases


Contaminated water from the waste pile must not enter surface water, and runoff water upstream from the pile must be intercepted. An agronomist can help you assess the waste pile to prevent surface water contamination.

Potential benefits:

  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


The waste pile should be completely removed and reclaimed or eliminated within 12 months following the first dumping of solid manure.

Potential benefits:

  • Soil health
  • Water quality
  • Good neighbourliness


Research shows that certain manure management practices have the potential to reduce the GHG emissions generated by manure storage. These practices include:



  • solid liquid separation with solids composting (raw or digestate) to decrease GHG emissions by 30%

  • more frequent emptying to reduce GHG emissions by up to 50% (if complete emptying occurs in the spring)

  • a higher number of animals on a grazing regime to reduce manure emissions from liquid storage

  • anaerobic digestion to reduce storage emissions by 60%

Potential benefits:

  • Climate change

Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Program (2015) - Dairy AGGP Science Coordination and Implementation Workshop : Summary Report. April 16-17th 2015, Ottawa. 23 pages


Nova Scotia Agriculture (2006) - Manure Management Guidelines