Click AOPA to acces Albert'a legislation for manure management (Agricultural Operation Practices Act)
In January 2002, Alberta's Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) came into effect. The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) administers the new regulations. AOPA is focused primarily on confined feeding operations (CFOs), however there are responsibilities that apply to all livestock producers and users of manure. Direct seeders need to understand how the AOPA regulations and standards for the management of livestock manure and compost apply to perrennial forages and direct-seeded cropland.
Key Points in the AOPA
The management of livestock manure is an integral part of protecting the environment, including surface and groundwater, and minimizing nuisance concerns. AOPA establishes a basis to manage manure as a nutrient in the following manner.
Surface-applied manure must be incorporated into the soil within 48 hours unless it is applied to forage, direct seeded crops, or frozen and/or snow-covered land, and subject to specific guidelines for slope and setbacks from water bodies.
Setback Distances for Manure Application
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Minimum setback distances for application are required to ensure manure, runoff and catch basin contents DO NOT: enter a common body of water, or; leave the land on which it is applied; or, create a risk to the environment.
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Setback distances are determined based on how manure is applied and the degree of slope near a water body. Guidelines are shown in AOPA Regulation 267/2001 - Section 24
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An operator must not apply manure within 30 metres of a water well.
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Manure injection must not occur within 10 metres of a common body of water.
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The standards for applying compost are the same as those for manure.
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The application rates for liquid manure and catch basin contents are the same as for solid manure, but cannot be applied on a crop that is grown for human consumption and is commonly eaten raw. Minimum setback distances for application of liquid manure are required.
