Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 13.4
Components of a typical NMP
NMP component
Description
Site assessment
Includes description of fields (area, length and grade of
slopes, minimum separation distances to sensitive areas),
soil type and soil tests
Manure/digestate
assessment
a
Includes description of animal feed, manure/digestate
volumes, manure/digestate storage facilities and analysis
of manure/digestate nutrient content
Nutrient land
application plan
a
Includes information on manure/digestate application and
incorporation methods, calibration of equipment, crop
rotations, planned seeding and harvesting, application
rates for manure/digestate (based on N and P needs of
crop) and timing of application and incorporation
Land management
plan
Includes information on practices and controls that will
reduce nutrient runoff (e.g. buffer strips, controlled erosion)
Reporting Includes procedure for keeping detailed and organized
records
a
These components also apply to inorganic fertilizers, if being used on the farm.
Source: OMAFRA (2005), AARD (2007).
Hutchings (2001) report NH
3
loss rates are highest in the first few hours
following application. Injection systems will reduce the exposure of digestate
to air, thereby significantly reducing NH
3
volatilization and potential odour
nuisances (Sommer and Hutchings, 2001; AARD, 2007; Ndegwa et al.,
2008).
13.2.4 Nutrient management planning
The land application of digestate, as is the case for manure or any other crop
fertilizer, must be considered in a nutrient management plan (NMP). A
NMP is designed to develop a series of best management practices that will
manage nutrients used for crop production in an environmentally sound
manner. Table 13.4 describes the essential elements of a NMP. The
individual components of a NMP will vary among jurisdictions.
NMPs should be revised routinely but particularly when changes to farm
management practices are made. Regulations in individual jurisdictions will
detail the appropriate procedures in dealing with manure, nutrient and soil
management. Unless otherwise stipulated by the local governing body, these
regulations will also apply to the land application of digestate.
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