GSA26AG102 - Hullcar Soil Nitrate Survey

To maximize crop uptake of nitrogen (N) and reduce the amount of residual nitrate at the end of the growing season, producers must rely on regular soil sampling to adjust N application rates and evaluate N management practices. Regular soil sampling is of particular importance in vulnerable aquifers, such as Aquifer 103 in the North Okanagan, where residual soil nitrate after crop harvest has the potential to contaminate groundwater through leaching.

To inform producers above a vulnerable aquifer on nitrogen management, the goal of this project is to monitor soil nitrate at the 0-30 cm depth at two time periods:In the spring, prior to the first nutrient application of the year. Sampling at this time will allow producers to incorporate soil testing results into their N budget and reduce the amount of supplemental N applications in spring and summer. In the fall. Sampling at this time will allow for an assessment of N management practices over the previous growing season and can be incorporated into N management practices the next season.The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Ministry) seeks proposals from an experienced project manager to:Recruit producers above Aquifer 103 willing to have their fields/sampling units (30-50 total) sampled each spring and fall for soil nitrate; Collect background data, such as crop type, crop, and field/sampling unit size; Sample soils each year at the appropriate times; Manage timely laboratory analysis of soil samples; Engage with participating producers on nutrient management and N management practices; Maintain field/sampling unit and soil analysis information in order to protect producer privacy.Further details as to the scope of this opportunity and the requirements can be found within this RFP.