Project Guidelines and Application

Crop Fertility Planning and Soil Testing

The 4R Phosphorus Management category aims to ensure phosphorus is applied following 4R principles, including rate, time and place. The goal of this subcategory is to support the development of new crop fertility plans and necessary soil/manure testing.聽

Application Window:聽Currently accepting applications for soil sampling that will occur between April 1st 2026 and June 1st 2026. Applications for sampling for after this date will not be considered at this聽time.聽The program will relaunch in June – so check back for updates.

Rates

  • $10/acre – Crop Fertility Plan with Basic Sampling (minimum 1 composite sample per 25 acres)
  • $15/acre – Crop Fertility Plan with Precision Sampling (<6/acre grid, or <12/acre zone)
  • Maximum: $15,000

Funding cannot be stacked with other funding programs.

Requirements

  • Field(s) must be in the Upper Thames watershed
  • Crop Fertility Plans must be prepared by a CCA, agronomist, or the applicant using AgriSuite Field Management between April 1, 2026, and June 1, 2026

New Plans Must Contain

  • Soil tests within the last year
  • Georeferenced field boundary and sample locations
  • Crop and yield goals
  • OMAFA phosphorus application recommendations
  • All fertilizer and manure applications for the intended crop
  • Must be either:
    • 3 year plan, or;
    • 1 year plan, plus commitment from service provider for an additional 2 years

Ineligible

  • Soil or manure sampling without a crop fertility plan
  • Fields sampled with fewer than 1 composite sample for every 25 acres

If you plan to develop your own Crop Fertility Plan, please visit (agrisuite.omafra.gov.on.ca) and use the Field Management tool.

Contact

Chris Van Esbroeck, Agricultural Stewardship Specialist

[email protected]

519-451-2800 ext. 272