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Quick Answer: What Does LandLogic Help With?
LandLogic helps Ontario greenhouse operations and receiving farms manage the planning side of Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater. This can include GNF Strategy support, GNF Plan support, Land Application Schedule support, sampling coordination, field suitability review, land base review, storage information, application setbacks, farm sketches, and communication between the greenhouse, receiving farm, applicator, and regulatory process.
If 5 or more nutrient units of GNF are generated, received, stored, or land applied, additional GNF planning requirements may be triggered. Do not wait until hauling or spreading season to check the requirements.
What Is Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater?
Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater, often called GNF, is nutrient solution removed from a closed circulation greenhouse system after it is no longer suitable for greenhouse crop production. When managed properly, it may be used as a nutrient source for agricultural crops.
GNF can contain useful crop nutrients, but it must be handled carefully because it can affect soil, surface water, groundwater, wells, drains, tile outlets, and neighbouring land uses if it is not managed properly.
Tomato greenhouses
Cucumber greenhouses
Pepper greenhouses
Greenhouse vegetable operations
Closed circulation greenhouse systems
Greenhouses transferring GNF to nearby farms
Receiving farms applying GNF to field crops
Who This Service Is For
Greenhouse Operations Generating GNF
For greenhouse operators who generate nutrient feedwater and need help understanding registration, GNF Strategy, sampling, storage, transfer, and documentation requirements.
Farmers Receiving GNF
For farms receiving greenhouse nutrient feedwater and needing help with a GNF Plan, Land Application Schedule, soil sampling, field suitability, crop nutrient planning, setbacks, and records.
Greenhouses Applying GNF on Their Own Land
For greenhouse operations that generate GNF and also apply it on owned or rented agricultural land.
Custom Applicators and Carriers
For applicators or carriers who need clear field maps, application rates, timing, setbacks, and documentation before GNF is moved or applied.
Expanding or Renewing Operations
For greenhouse operations adding production area, changing storage, changing GNF volumes, changing land base, adding receiving farms, or updating old GNF arrangements.
GNF Strategy vs GNF Plan vs Land Application Schedule
Document
Usually Connected To
What It Covers
GNF Strategy
Greenhouse operation generating GNF
Greenhouse production area, expected GNF generation, storage, destinations, sampling, farm unit sketch, contingency planning, and required supporting information.
GNF Plan
Farm unit receiving, storing, or applying GNF
GNF plan area, application areas, storage if applicable, soil sampling, setbacks, field suitability, sketches, application restrictions, records, and contingency planning.
Land Application Schedule
Farm unit where GNF will be land applied
Crops, expected yields, application dates, application rates, number of applications, other nutrients, GNF setbacks, incorporation timing where applicable, and annual application planning.
A greenhouse may need a GNF Strategy. A receiving farm may need a GNF Plan and a Land Application Schedule. Some operations may need more than one document depending on how GNF is generated, stored, transferred, received, and applied.
When Is a GNF Plan Needed?
A GNF Plan may be required when 5 or more nutrient units of GNF are applied to land within the farm unit, stored on the farm unit at any one time, or received from an external generator in a calendar year.
Do not guess based on volume alone. Nutrient units depend on GNF volume and nutrient content. Sampling and analysis are important because the nutrient concentration affects planning, application rates, land base, and whether thresholds may be triggered.
What LandLogic Can Help With
GNF requirement review
GNF Plan support
GNF Strategy support
Land Application Schedule support
AgriSuite / NMAN support
Land base review
Nutrient unit estimates
Field suitability review
GNF sampling coordination
GNF analysis review
Soil sampling coordination
Storage information review
Permanent and portable storage planning questions
Farmstead sketches
Wells, surface water, tile outlets, drains, bedrock, and slope review
Contigency planning
Application area sketches
Setback review
Communication between greenhouse, receiver, applicator, and review process
Annual review and update support
Crop nutrient planning
Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Planning Process
1
Define the GNF arrangement
Identify the greenhouse, receiving farm, applicator, expected volume, storage, fields, crop plan, and whether the generator and receiver are the same operation.
2
Confirm which documents may be required
Review whether registration, GNF Strategy, GNF Plan, and Land Application Schedule requirements may apply.
3
Collect GNF analysis information
Organize GNF or test solution analysis, nutrient values, regulated metals, sample dates, and representative sampling information.
4
Review land base and fields
Check proposed fields, crop needs, application area, tillable acres, slope, soil type, hydrologic soil group where relevant, wells, surface water, drains, tile outlets, and sensitive features.
5
Coordinate soil sampling
Soil sampling helps confirm field nutrient status and supports GNF planning and application decisions.
6
Prepare sketches and maps
Create clear sketches showing fields, application areas, storage, wells, surface water, tile inlets/outlets, municipal boundaries or road names, and other required features.
7
Prepare the GNF Plan or Strategy
Organize the written description, AgriSuite information, analysis, maps, storage details, contingency plan, and signatures.
8
Prepare the Land Application Schedule
Set out crops, expected yields, application dates, rates, number of applications, setbacks, other nutrients, and application timing.
9
Review before application
Check weather, soil moisture, runoff risk, crop stage, equipment, storage capacity, and field restrictions before GNF is applied.
9
Keep records and update when needed
GNF documents may need annual review, updates, records of land application, and amendments when fields, storage, volumes, or operation details change.
Field Review Before Land Application
A receiving farm should not treat GNF like ordinary water. GNF contains nutrients and must be planned carefully before land application. LandLogic reviews:
Field boundaries
Crop rotation
GNF application area
Expected yield
Soil test information
Hydrologic soil group where relevant
Slope
Wells
Municipal wells
Tile inlets and tile outlets
Surface water
Drainage features
Shallow bedrock or rock outcrops
Usable application acres
Application setbacks
Field access
Other nutrients applied to the same field
Timing and rate considerations
The easiest field to access is not always the best field for GNF application. Setbacks, slope, wells, surface water, tile drains, bedrock, crop nutrient needs, and soil conditions can change whether a field is suitable.
GNF and Soil Sampling Support
GNF Sampling and Analysis
GNF analysis helps determine nutrient content, regulated metals, nutrient units, application planning, and whether the material fits the GNF planning requirements.
Soil Sampling
Soil sampling helps confirm field nutrient levels before application and supports crop nutrient planning, field suitability, and GNF Plan preparation.
Sampling should follow the current Ontario GNF Sampling and Analysis Protocol and any current provincial requirements. Lab reports should be organized and clearly matched to the correct material, field, and application area.
Storage, Transfer, and Transportation Planning
GNF planning is not only about the field. Storage, transfer, and transportation can affect whether the arrangement works.
Where GNF is generated
Whether storage is permanent or portable
Where GNF is stored
Available storage volume
Storage capacity during winter or wet-weather delays
How GNF is moved
Who controls the storage
Whether transfer documentation is needed
Whether the carrier or applicator has the required training
What happens if fields are too wet
Whether the receiving farm has analysis before transport
What happens if equipment is unavailable
Contingency plan
Weather delays are one of the biggest practical risks. A good GNF plan should include realistic backup options when land application cannot happen.
Common GNF Problems LandLogic Helps Avoid
1. Waiting until spreading season
Sampling, field review, storage, land base, and documentation should be organized before the application window.
2. Assuming volume alone decides the rules
Nutrient units depend on both volume and nutrient concentration.
3. Missing soil samples
Soil analysis is important for GNF Plan preparation and good crop nutrient planning.
4. Choosing fields before checking setbacks
Wells, municipal wells, surface water, drains, tile outlets, bedrock, and slope can reduce usable acres.
5. Not planning for weather delays
Wet fields, winter conditions, crop timing, and equipment issues can stop or delay application.
6. Poor communication between greenhouse, receiver, and applicator
Everyone should understand the approved fields, application rates, timing, setbacks, records, and contingency plan.
7. Not updating documents when things change
New fields, new storage, changed volumes, changed greenhouse area, or new receiving farms may require updates or amendments.
Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater FAQs
What is greenhouse nutrient feedwater?
Do I need a GNF Strategy?
Do I need a GNF Plan?
What is a Land Application Schedule?
Can GNF be applied to any field?
Does GNF need to be sampled?
Do receiving farms need soil samples?
Can GNF be applied in winter?
Is GNF the same as manure or NASM?
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