In short: the Farm Practices Regulation is the Quebec regulation that protects water and soil against contamination by fertilizing materials. It sets out the rules for storage and spreading, and makes the AENP and the phosphorus balance mandatory for targeted farms.
In this article:
What is the REA?
The Agricultural Operations Regulation (Q-2, r. 26) aims to protect the environment (surface water, groundwater, and soil) against contamination by nutrients and pathogens contained in animal manure and other stored or land-applied fertilizing materials. It is the central regulation of the agri-environmental regulation from a Quebec farm.
What does the REA regulate?
The regulation primarily targets the storage and application of fertilizing materials. Among the notable rules: application is prohibited on frozen or snow-covered soil, and it is restricted after October 1st. The REA also regulates the storage of manure and the use of fertilizing materials according to the soil's receiving capacity.
Which farms are being targeted?
Obligations depend mainly on the manure management method and the surface area. A business that manages liquid manure, produces a lot of phosphorus in solid manure, or spreads over a large surface area falls under the requirements of the agri-environmental fertilization plan (PAEF) and the phosphorus balance. The precise thresholds are detailed in our dedicated articles (below).
What obligations follow from this?
For the targeted businesses, the ARE triggers two central obligations, both signed by an agronomist: the agri-environmental fertilization plan and phosphorus balance annual. Added to this is the keeping of records of spreading and fertilization activities.
Stay compliant without drowning in paperwork
The AER requires rigorous traceability: plots, soil tests, application rates, and application dates. When this data lives in scattered notebooks and files, compliance becomes painful and risky. By centralizing farm information in My Forage System, the producer and their agronomist share the same up-to-date database: regulatory documents are prepared faster and records remain in order. For neutral benchmarks, the CRAAQ and Ministry of the Environment publish references on the REA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the REA apply to all farms?
Spreading rules apply broadly, but PAEF and phosphorus balance obligations target businesses above certain thresholds (manure management, quantity of phosphorus, spreading area).
Can we spread in winter?
No: spreading is prohibited on frozen or snow-covered soil, and restricted after October 1st.
Who signs the documents required by the EA?
The PAEF and the phosphorus balance must be signed by an agronomist.
In summary
The Agricultural Operations Regulation (AOR) governs the management of fertilizing materials in Quebec to protect water and soil quality. Compliance with the AOR relies on accurate and up-to-date farm data. By centralizing this information, My Forage System makes the work of the producer and their agronomist easier.