AgriSuite is the Ontario government’s agricultural and environmental suite of tools related to crop management, nutrient management and minimum distance separation.
The Organic Amendment Calculator helps determine the available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (N-P-K) of the applied manure as well as the economic value and micro nutrients being supplied to the soil with each application. When manure analysis information is provided along with management decisions around timing, placement and rate, this tool provides estimates for available nutrients and can quickly compare management scenarios to help maximize nutrient utilization and minimize nutrient losses to the environment.
Purpose
The information provided by the Organic Amendment Calculator helps determine the available nutrients that are being supplied by manure or other organic sources. Applying nutrients to economically meet crop needs can be challenging, especially when manure or other organic amendments make up a portion of those nutrients. Since nutrients from organic sources don’t come in pre-determined blends, this calculator takes sample analysis information and combines rate, timing and placement of application to determine a best estimate of available nutrients. Economic value of the available nutrients from organic sources is also provided to help target nutrients where soil fertility levels are in a range that the economic value can be maximized.
The Organic Amendment Calculator allows farmers and crop consultants to quickly and easily assess the available nutrients from manure sources and use the information to determine additional nutrient requirements and determine best application schedules.
Reach
The Organic Amendment calculator is a part of the AgriSuite online set of tools. Calculators in AgriSuite are used to develop both voluntary and regulatory Nutrient Management Strategies and Plans for producers needing to comply with Ontario’s Nutrient Management regulations. They provide opportunities for planning and recordkeeping on a farm/field basis for crop nutrient needs/removal, fertilizer and manure application.
When used with other calculators and tools these calculations can help determine best agronomic and economic practices with respect to crop nutrient management. Environmental risk indicators are included to help prevent nutrient loss to nearby water sources. Learn more about the AgriSuite tool set and the use of this calculator here.
Potential impacts
Decisions made from using the Organic Amendment Calculator will help fine-tune manure application with supplemental fertilizer needs to maximize crop yield while minimizing negative environmental impact. Environmental cautions flag out-of-season applications. Decisions made based on the results of the combined calculators have the capacity to target nutrients to where economic return is highest and to improve nutrient balances by examining crop needs over a crop rotation or multiple growing seasons while considering the health of nearby water sources
Internal use policies
The information can be saved, shared and printed by the user. Information is not accessible to anyone beyond those selected by the user. Government staff have access to this calculator and tool set to run scenarios and help support policy development and emergency management response activities. There are no requirements or guidance on when, how or if these tools should be used. The Nutrient Management team at OMAFRA often uses AgriSuite tools when reviewing submitted plans and strategies. To learn more about Ontario's Nutrient Management program click here.
Technical description
The Organic Amendment calculator was developed by OMAFRA, it uses databases based on science, field and lab data collected or relevant to the province of Ontario. AgriSuite is an on-line web browser based product that allows users to complete calculations quickly or alternatively sign in as an authenticated user to save and potentially share their work with people they choose.
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