Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD) reminds producers who choose to burn crop residue that authorization is required between Aug. 1 and Nov. 15. Authorizations are issued daily by 11 a.m. based on weather, moisture and favourable smoke dispersion conditions. Night burning is banned year-round.
Producers may also require a burning permit, if located within the city of Winnipeg or in a burning permit area. Permit application forms and information are available by calling the toll-free information line at 1-800-265-1233. Information is also available from MAFRD GO offices and online at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture under Quick Links.
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Manitoba’s controlled burning program is part of the Burning of Crop Residue and Non-crop Herbage Regulation. The program was introduced to protect public health and safety while allowing farmers to deal with difficult straw management problems.
Stubble burning regulations are enforced by environment officers and the RCMP. Failure to follow the regulations could result in fines of up to $50,000.
Many producers use alternative methods of dealing with crop residue such as chopping and spreading the straw or listing straw they have for sale on the Manitoba Hay Listing Service. More information on these and other alternative methods of dealing with crop residue is available on the MAFRD website.
