The Upper Thames River Watershed blends urban and rural concerns.

Managing a farm in a region like Huron County or Chatham-Kent is challenging enough when balancing production, profitability and environmental accountability. When there are sizeable urban centres scattered throughout a watershed, there’s an added layer of complexity.

Map 1 -Upper Thames River Conservation Authority watershed

That’s the situation in the Upper Thames River Watershed, where Stratford, Woodstock, London and a host of smaller centres coexist with farming practices. The region is home to a collective of dairy, poultry, cash crop and horticultural operations which benefits those nearby cities and towns. Everything in the watershed filters down from Stratford and region in the north, Woodstock and its surrounding area and into London at its southwest corner (see Map 1). From there, water flows down the Thames to Lake St. Clair, where its effects can reach Lake Erie.

The concerns surrounding phosphorus in run-off from farms has become an important factor in environmental and soil health discussions. Producing more crops is essential but over-application and the effects of climate change are altering on-farm practices and the thought processes governing the use of phosphorus, in particular.

Workable solutions
Like other districts, responsible use of phosphorus has become a touchstone to safeguarding water quality in the Thames. It’s been the driving force of the Upper Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program, initiated by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). It’s a four-year initiative providing a wide range of measures to reduce phosphorus losses from farming practices. There are eight categories that are currently active with varying incentives and cost-sharing opportunities, with the first three listed as Incentive Payments and have no limits on maximum amounts available.

Cover Crops is the first category, geared to reduce runoff and erosion from fields by maintaining residue cover during late fall and winter. Farmers can inter-seed single- or multi-species cover crops with an annual crop or seed covers following the harvest of an annual crop. The cost-share is $30 per acre when not harvested or grazed and $15 per acre for harvested or grazed covers. A minimum of 60% field residue is required the following spring.

Reduced Tillage offers an incentive for shifting tillage practices. Eligible projects cover the adoption of tillage systems that maintain 30% residue cover after spring 2025 planting. For strip-till or no-till adoption, it’s a cost-share of $30 per acre and $15 per acre for other minimal tillage systems.

Subsurface Phosphorus Application provides cost-share of $30 per acre and includes injection, banding or variable-rate application of phosphorus. Phosphorus must be placed a minimum of two inches below the soil surface

The other five categories are under Cost Sharing Opportunities.
Soil Testing and Crop Nutrient Planning is a solid incentive to manage nutrients and improve water quality, with a cost-share of 80% of eligible project costs, up to $2,000 and can be stacked with other programs up to 100%. This stream also covers manure sampling and analysis, field profitability mapping and plant tissue sampling and analysis.

Erosion Control offers a 70% cost-share up to $8,000. Funding can be stacked with other programs up to 100% of eligible project costs. Professional services and consulting fees, contracted labour costs and purchase of materials for eligible projects are also eligible.

Livestock Watercourse Fencing provides 70% cost-share to a maximum of $5,000. Maximum cost share will not exceed $5/foot installed or $4/foot for materials.

Clean Water Diversion is a 70% cost-share to a maximum of $8,000. Materials and labour (other than applicant’s) associated with an approved project are eligible.

Forestry and Tree Planting -with 50% cost-share to a maximum of $3,000 under Large Stock planting and 70% to a maximum of $5,000 for Seedlings.

If you have a creative approach to phosphorus reduction on your land, the Conservation Authority may be willing to provide 70% cost-share up to $5000 to support your actions, as part of the Innovative Actions category.

Start now
These categories are posted on the Thames River Reduction Program website and each has its own guidelines, eligible and ineligible activities. If you are interested in learning more about the Phosphorus Reduction Program, the professionals at Elite Agri Solutions have the grant-writing expertise to support you and your farm operation. Call 519 – 953 – 4479 or visit our website, at https://eliteagrisolutions.ca