What the Province’s AOPA Changes Mean for Your Farm

Alberta farmers now have more flexibility — and more responsibility — when it comes to managing manure, compost, and other organic materials. As of June 23, 2025, changes to the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and its associated regulations are in effect, thanks to the passage of Bill 44.

Here’s what you need to know — and how the changes could benefit your operation.

Digestate Gets the Green Light
One of the biggest updates? Digestate — the nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion — is now officially recognized under AOPA. That means if you’re producing digestate from manure or other approved feedstocks, you can now store and spread it on your land just like manure, as long as you follow the rules laid out in the new On-Farm Storage and Land Application Code (June 2025 edition).

If you’re using non-approved feedstocks, though — like certain off-farm waste streams — the digestate will still fall under the jurisdiction of Environment and Protected Areas.

Bottom line: This change gives farmers using biogas or anaerobic digestion systems a clearer path for digestate use and nutrient recycling on the farm.