Programs

Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP): BMP Nitrogen Management

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

  • 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)

More information can be found in the: Nitrogen Management Factsheet

Please note there are five different Nitrogen Management application forms, please fill out the one that matches your practice.

** 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.***

Nitrogen Management- Equipment Upgrades & Split Fertilizer Nitrogen Management - Fertilizers Substitutes and Manure Nitrogen Management- Legumes Nitrogen Management - Nitrogen Management Plan, Soil testing & Soil Mapping Nitrogen Management- Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors Professional Assessment Form

Prairie Watershed Climate Program (PWCP)- BMP Cover Cropping

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

For more information please click on the 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.***

 

Cover Crop Application Professional Assessment Form

Prairie Watershed Climate Program (PWCP)- BMP Rotational Grazing

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

** 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, producers are required to submit the following:

– Application Form

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

– Professional Assessment form, signing off the grazing management plant

Rotational Grazing Application Grazing Management Plan - Information Fence Calculator- Excel Sheet Professional Assessment Form

Shelterbelt Planting

Shelterbelt Planting

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

Custom Planting Field Planting New Tree Order forms for 2025

Forage Assistance

Forage Assistance

Seeding erodable land into forage and pasture. Landowner is eligible to apply for a maximum of 100 acres. Application must be made between September 15 and June 15 each year. Once application is approved, a purchase order is sent to the landowner and certified seed can then be purchased from a company of their choice. Invoice must be submitted for payment by June 15. The District will provide assistance $35/acre.

 

Application Due June 15, 2024

Forage Application

Pasture Management Program

Pasture Management Program

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

Grassed Runway

Grassed Runway

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

GROW Wildlife Habitat Conservation Program

GROW Wildlife Habitat Conservation Program

This program is designed to keep natural areas intact that are at risk of being converted to cropland. This includes the Temporary Wetland incentive program for wetlands located on annual cropland and the incentive program to keep permanent cover on the landscape like woody vegetation. Also this program includes restoring natural features like native grasslands and wetlands. Call the office for more information.

 

Application Form

Wildland Projects

Wildland Projects

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

Abandoned Well Sealing

Abandoned Well Sealing

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

Water Retention

Water Retention

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

Pasture Pipeline Plow

Pasture Pipeline Plow

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

Ring Dykes

Ring Dykes

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

Conservation Corridor Planting

Conservation Corridor Planting

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

Conservation Corridor

Conservation Corridor

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.

Conservation Education

Conservation Education

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.

Gully Stabilization

Gully Stabilization

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