BMP Nitrogen Management

Nitrogen management as a beneficial management practice (BMP) is designed to reduce nitrogen emissions, improve soil health, enhance crop yield, and reduce water pollution.

Eligible Practices: Nitrogen Management

• Use of Polymer Coated Urea (PCU) Fertilizer & SuperU Fertilizer

• Use of Combined Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors or use of dual inhibitors

• Agronomic Support for Nitrogen Management Plans

• Soil Testing

• Soil Mapping

• Adding Legumes to crop rotation

• Upgrading seeder equipment to allow for banding, side dressing and injection of fertilize

• Split Application of Fertilizer to improve Nitrogen use

• Upgrading manure injection and incorporation equipment

• Offsetting higher cost of synthetic fertilizer substitutes (manure, compost, digestates)

For more information about the PWCP Nitrogen Management Program and funding amounts, please read here: Nitrogen Management Factsheet

Please note there are 8 different Nitrogen Management application forms. Please fill out each individual application form for the nitrogen practices you have implemented and are applying for.

** Application forms are fillable pdf(s) that can be either printed out and handed in to the office or emailed to wwcdmanager@mymts.net All applications must include a professional assessment form to be approved. Please call the office for more information.***

To apply for nitrogen management funding, producers are required to submit the following:

– Fully Completed Application Forms

– Professional Assessment Form (Sign off from a Tech. Ag, P. Ag, A. AG, ATech. AG or Certified Crop Advisor designation)

– Invoices/Receipts

Nitrogen Management- Equipment Upgrades - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management- Equipment Upgrades - Printable Form Nitrogen Management- Manure Injection & Incorporation Equipment - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management- Manure Injection & Incorporation Equipment - Printable Form Nitrogen Management- Synthetic Fertilizer Substitutes (Manure, Compost, Digestates) - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management- Synthetic Fertilizer Substitutes (Manure, Compost, Digestates) - Printable Form Nitrogen Management - Split Fertilizer Application - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management - Split Fertilizer Application - Printable Form Nitrogen Management- Legumes - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management- Legumes - Printable Form Nitrogen Management - Nitrogen Management Plan, Soil testing & Soil Mapping - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management - Nitrogen Management Plan, Soil testing & Soil Mapping - Printable Form Nitrogen Management- Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management- Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors - Printable Form Nitrogen Management- Polymer Coated Urea & SuperU - Fillable Form Nitrogen Management- Polymer Coated Urea & SuperU - Printable Form

BMP Cover Cropping

Cover cropping is a well-known agricultural practice used to enhance the organic and topsoil layers of the soil, increase the nitrogen content, and improve soil health. It has been proved that cover cropping as a beneficial management practice (BMP) is one of the best ways to reduce fertilizer application rates and nitrogen emissions.

Eligible Practices: Cover Crop

• Fall and spring cover crops

• Full-season annual and/or perennial cover crops

• Planning and technical assessments

***Funding up to $50/acre***

For more information about the PWCP Cover Cropping Program and funding, please read here: Cover Crop Factsheet

** Application forms are fillable pdf(s) that can be either printed out and handed in to the office or emailed to wwcdmanager@mymts.net All applications must include a professional assessment form to be approved. Please call the office for more information.***

To apply for cover crop funding, producers are required to submit the following:

– Fully Completed Application Forms

– Professional Assessment Form (Sign off from a Tech. Ag, P. Ag, A. AG, ATech. AG or Certified Crop Advisor designation)

– Invoices/Receipts

Cover Crop Application Form - Fillable Cover Crop Application Form - Printable

BMP Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing is an agroecological practice based on rotating the areas where the livestock graze throughout the grazing season. This method allows for better grazing by utilizing forages when they have the most nutritional value without over or under grazing certain species or pasture areas.

Eligible Practices: Rotational Grazing

• Fencing to support the rotational grazing plan

• Watering Systems to support the rotational grazing plan

• Improved pasture compositions by seeding legumes such as alfalfa or sainfoin

• Creation of a rotational grazing management plan

For more information about the PWCP Rotational Grazing Program and funding amounts, please read here:  Rotational Grazing Factsheet

** Application forms are fillable pdf(s) that can be either printed out and handed in to the office or emailed to wwcdmanager@mymts.net                                                           All applications must include a professional assessment form to be approved. Please call the office for more information.***

 

To apply for fencing or watering systems through a rotational grazing plan, producers are required to submit the following:

– Fully Completed Application Forms

– Grazing Management Plan (please read the Grazing Management Plan information package)

– Professional Assessment Form (Sign off from a Tech. Ag, P. Ag, A. AG, ATech. AG or Certified Crop Advisor designation), signing off the grazing management plan

– Invoices/Receipts

Rotational Grazing Application - Fillable Rotational Grazing Application - Printable Create a Grazing Management Plan Form Fence Calculator- Excel Sheet

The WWD offers field shelterbelts and custom plantings (min. 1/4 mile) with plastic mulch included in all plantings.

Click on the applications to learn more about each program.

 

Tree Order Application DUE January 31, 2025

 

* Tree Order & Shelterbelt Program Full for 2025*

Custom Planting Field Planting New Tree Order forms for 2025

The District will provide assistance of  $35/acre up to a maximum of 100 acres to seed erodible and saline annual cropland back into forage and pasture.

Application must be made between September 15 and June 15 each year.

Once application is approved, a 5 year agreement will need to be signed to keep forage intact for the duration of the contract, and then perennial forage seed of your choice can then be purchased. Landowners will be reimbursed for seed once approved acres are seeded, project site verification is completed, agreement is signed and all invoices are submitted.

Application Due June 15, 2025

Forage Application

This program was created to help producers with the establishment costs of reducing the pressure of livestock on waterways and promote better pasture management. Approved projects must demonstrate watershed benefits to the surrounding riparian areas. There are funds to help with Alternative Watering Systems, Well Development, Riparian Fencing, and Livestock Crossings.

Pasture Management Application

To stabilize natural water courses on steep slopes and prevent soil erosion on adjacent lands. Board covers 75% of construction costs and the landowner contributes 25%.

Grassed Runway Application

The GROW Wildlife Habitat Conservation Program is designed to keep natural areas intact that are at risk of being converted to cropland.

Upon application approval, WWD will pay annual incentive payments on a 10 year agreement with landowners who are willing to keep permanent cover on the landscape such as woody vegetation, native grasslands and riparian areas. The value of payment is based on 3% of the average land value to a maximum of $75/acre. This program also includes restoring natural features like native grasslands and wetlands.

 

 

Additionally in this program, is funding to conserve Class 1 & 2 Temporary Shallow Wetlands in the Whitemud Watershed District on annual cropland and forage land. The value of payment is based on 3% of the average land value to a maximum of $100/acre. Producers can crop & farm the quarters as they normally would, they just can’t drain or backfill the wetlands over the 10 year term of the agreement. Class 1 & 2 Wetlands hold water for a short period of time in the spring (1-3 weeks) or during major rain events.

 

Reach out to Stephanie (GROW Coordinator) if your interested in applying for the program or have questions. You can email your application to wwdgrowcr@mymts.net or stop by the office to pick up an application.

 

 

 

Wildlife Habitat Application Form

The District will assist landowners in setting aside suitable wildlife habitat areas and provide signage. The WWD will also assist in establishing and enhancing wildlife areas via tree planting and demonstrations. The landowner agrees to notify the District if land use changes.

Wildlands Preservation Agreement

The WWD provides the materials required for the disinfecting and proper sealing of the well(s) and arranges the rental and contracting of any equipment necessary for excavation. The cost share for the project is 25% landowner and 75% district.

Abandoned Well Capping

The WWD will assist landowners in the construction of small water retention projects. The purpose of the program is to encourage water conservation. The Board will consider projects with multiple benefits as opposed to dams with a single purpose such as watering for livestock.

Water Storage Application

The WWD offers to partner with producers in establishing off-site watering via buried pipeline in pastures. Program includes use of equipment and technical support at a cost of $100/day.

Pasture Pipeline Plow

WWD ring dykes are for yardsites only, agricultural land is not included in this program. The maximum project cost of $3,000 to be cost-shared 75% sub-district and 25% landowner. All project costs above $3,000 are to be covered by the landowner. Ring dykes are to be adjacent to, or directly affected by District drains. The landowner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the ring dyke as needed.

Ring Dyke

In partnership with local municipalities, the District enhances or undertakes plantings to provide buffer strips and increase habitat.

The WWD enters into an agreement with the municipality to post undeveloped road allowances for wildlife habitat. Signs marking the corridor are placed at each end. Landowners can apply to the municipality to use the road allowance for pasture, etc.

A variety of programs are offered to promote conservation awareness and education to youth in the District. Examples include tours, in-school presentations, public and school library magazine subscriptions, and tree planting initiatives.

Repairs to eroded areas where water has created damage to a waterway or adjacent field. Board covers 75% of construction costs and landowner contributes 25%.

Gully Stabilization