Nutrient management plans

Nutrient management plans (NMPs) are used to help farmers efficiently meet their production objectives and protect the environment. Plans provide balanced recommendations for farmers on which nutrient sources to apply and what rates they should be applied at. In B.C., requirements for NMPs are being phased in for farms based on their location, type of operation, and soil test values.

On this page you can:

• Find a nutrient management planner to prepare a plan for your farm
• Learn about a training course to prepare NMPs in B.C.
• Find out if your farm needs an NMP

Find a nutrient management planner

Do you need someone to prepare an NMP for your farm? In B.C., NMPs must be prepared by someone who has completed training in nutrient management planning. Click the link below to see a list of people that have completed the ministry’s Nutrient Management Plan training course:

• Find a nutrient management planner

Training to develop nutrient management plans 

Want to learn how to prepare a nutrient management plan?  There is a B.C. specific training course that provides the know how to use nutrient management planning tools, and develop plans that meet the objectives of provincial regulation.

• Nutrient Management Plan Training website

Regulation of nutrient management plans 

Agricultural operations in BC may be required to have a nutrient management plan prepared under provincial regulations. A risk-based approach to require the adoption of nutrient management plans is gradually being phased in over the next 10 years.

As of 2023, farms that apply nutrients will need a nutrient management plan in place by the 2024 growing season if they meet all of the following

• They are located in one of the vulnerable aquifer recharge areas listed below,
• Their post-harvest nitrate test is 100 kg/ha (89 lb/ac) or more, and
• Meet any of the following conditions:
  • have a livestock or poultry operation with a total agricultural land base of 5 hectares (12 acres) or more, or
  • have a horticulture operation of 30 hectares (74 acres) or more, or
  • is located in the Hullcar vulnerable aquifer recharge area and have an agricultural land base of 5 hectares (12 acres) or more (includes poultry, livestock, and horticultural operations)

Vulnerable aquifer recharge areas

Abbotsford	Grand Forks	Okanagan Falls	Sunnybrae
Chilliwack	Hullcar	Oliver	Tappen
Cobble Hill	Langley	Osoyoos	Williams Lake
Coldstream	Lumby	Penticton
Cranbrook	Montrose	Sicamous
Creston	Nakusp	Spallumcheen

Find out if you will need to have a Nutrient Management Plan

Please note:   *one animal unit (AU) equals 455 kg livestock or poultry.