Operators who apply manure or compost on forage or directly-seeded crops must meet the minimum setback distances for manure application set out in section 24 of the Standards and Administration Regulation, keeping in mind the average slope of the land towards the common body of water. Manure run off must not enter a common body of water. 

• A 30 metre setback is required when spreading on land that has a four per cent or less mean slope towards the common body of water, measured over 90 metres from the edge of the common body of water.
• A 60 metre setback is required when spreading on land that has a four to six per cent mean slope towards the common body of water, measured over 90 metres from the edge of the common body of water.
• A 90 metre setback is required when spreading on land that has a mean slope of six to 12 per cent towards the common body of water, measured over 90 metres from the edge of the common body of water.
• Manure or compost may not be applied on land that has a mean slope to a common body of water that is greater than 12 per cent.

For more information, please refer to the Agriculture and Irrigation fact sheet, “Manure Spreading Regulations" below.

Manure Spreading Regulations - Fact Sheet

AOPA allows operators 48 hours to incorporate manure or compost after applying it to cultivated land. NRCB inspectors will respond to complaints about manure or compost not being incorporated within 48 hours, either by conducting a site inspection or contacting the operator by phone. The act also allows operators to apply manure or compost without incorporation on forage or directly seeded crops. 

For more information, please refer to the Agriculture and Irrigation fact sheet, “Manure Spreading Regulations" below.

Manure Spreading Regulations - Fact Sheet

An operator must not apply manure or compost without incorporation within 150 metres of any residence or other building or structure occupied by people The operator must ensure that the application of manure or compost  does not create a risk to the environment or an inappropriate disturbance. The manure or any run off must not leave the land on which it is applied.

For more information, please refer to the Agriculture and Irrigation fact sheet, “Manure Spreading Regulations" below.

Manure Spreading Regulations - Fact Sheet

Confined feeding operations that have at least nine months of manure storage are not allowed under AOPA to apply manure on frozen or snow covered land, unless prior permission is received from an inspector  or the NRCB issues a notice allowing spreading due to weather conditions. 

AOPA, Agriculture and Irrigation and the NRCB strongly discourage winter spreading of manure or compost due to the potential for run off to contaminate surface water.

Grandfathered confined feeding operations (built before 2002) that do not have nine months of liquid manure storage are exempted from the requirement to obtain permission. However, they must comply with the various setbacks and soil nutrient limits that are set out in section 24 of the Standards and Administration Regulation, and must not create a risk to the environment. While setback requirements for spreading on frozen and snow covered ground are consistent with the setbacks for forage and directly seeded crops, special considerations may be required. Owners of these operations are encouraged to notify the NRCB to ensure appropriate setbacks are maintained, and to reduce risks to the environment. 

If a complaint is received, an NRCB inspector will confirm whether the operation is grandfathered and allowed to apply manure on frozen or snow covered land, whether permission was issued, and whether setbacks have been complied with. For more information, refer to the NRCB fact sheet “Applying Manure on Frozen or Snow Covered Land” and the Agriculture and Irrigation fact sheet, “Manure Spreading Regulations."

Applying Manure on Frozen or Snow Covered Land - Fact Sheet

Manure Spreading Regulations - Fact Sheet

Manure, composting materials, or compost must not be applied:

• within 10 metres of a common body of water if subsurface injection is used,
• within 30 metres of a common body of water if applied to the surface of the land and incorporated within 48 hours, or
• within 30 metres of a water well.

For more information, please refer to the Agriculture and Irrigation fact sheet "Manure Spreading Regulations.” 

Manure Spreading Regulations - Fact Sheet

A person must not apply manure, composting materials, or compost to soil if the soil salinity is more than 4.0 decisiemens per metre as measured by the electrical conductivity from a soil depth of 0-15 cm.

A person must not apply manure, composting materials, or compost to soil if the nitrate-nitrogen in the top 60 cm of the soil will exceed the following limits after the manure, composting materials, or compost is applied: