A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
MANURE APPLICATION SETBACK AND POTENTIAL FOOD SAFETY RISKS
Livestock manure is a good source of soil nutrients for crop production. However, manure applications can pose food safety and water pollution risks when applied near or to edible crops (e.g. fruits, vegetables, herbs).
Livestock manure can contain pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella that can cause foodborne illness in humans. Understanding the best practices for manure application can help keep Ontario’s food safe. Manure application occurring on farms nearby poses a greater risk than was previously considered.
According to a very recent, three-year long field study at Clarkson University in New York, pathogens in manure can travel long distances downwind.
In this study, the researchers measured how far E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella travelled from manure application sites. The researchers took samples at different distances from manure application sites and measured the presence of pathogens. They also evaluated how likely someone is to get sick from leafy green vegetable crops when a certain amount of bacteria is present. Computer simulations were used for predicting produce contamination over a large range of probable conditions such as manure type, land and weather conditions at the time of manure application. Combining all the data, the study found that edible crop growing areas should be set back from sites of manure application by at least 160 meters.
Here are the food safety best practices for manure application and use:
– Don’t apply manure to crops intended for human consumption and whose edible portion has direct contact with soil surface or soil particles.
– Observe at least 120 days of pre-harvest interval (PHI) if you do use manure.
– Assess manure applications and animal agricultural practices of your own and nearby farms. Edible crop growing areas should be set back a minimum of 160 metres from sites of manure use or application to guard against downwind transfer of pathogens from manure to your crops.
Food safety is important part of Ontario’s agri-food industry.
Visit: ontario.ca/foodsafety for best practices to help keep Ontario’s food safe.
Reference: Michael A. Jahne, et al. Bioaerosol Deposition to Food Crops near Manure Application: Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment. Journal of Environment Quality, 2016; 45 (2): 666.
COMING EVENTS
Sept. 23 to 25 – Grand Valley Fair. For more information visit grandvalleyfall fair.ca or call 519-942-4088.
Sept. 23 to 25 – Milton Fair, for more information visit miltonfair.com or call 905-878-5689.
Sept. 28 – Shakespeare Swine Seminar 2016, Shakespeare Community Centre, Shakespeare, Ontario. Call the OMAFRA Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or Ontario Pork at 1-877-668-7675 or visit website – http://bit.ly/2bWfDX2.
Oct. 6 to 10 – Erin Fair. For more information visit erin fair.ca or call 519-833-2808.
Oct. 14 to 16 – Walkerton Little Royal, see website for more information wagsoc.ca or call 519-881-1251.
