Nutrient management could factor in building plans

Gary Sliworksky
Ag. Rep.

Spring will soon be upon us and some farmers may be thinking about construction projects. If you are considering a building project, you should be aware that you may be required to have an approved nutrient management strategy (NMS) and in some cases a nutrient management plan (NMP) prior to starting.
The NMS is a document that describes generation, storage and destination of manure and other prescribed materials. It provides information such as: number of animals, barns, manure storages, livestock yards, runoff management.
The NMP details how manure, fertilizer and other nutrients are applied to a given land base. It is a five year plan that details the characteristics of the land, crop rotation, as well as cropping and nutrient application practices.
On any farm, where the number of farm animals is greater than 5 nutrient units (NU) or will be greater than 5 NU upon completion of construction, the following projects require an approved NMS:
1. Construction or excavation of any earthen manure storage (example, lagoon) including expansions of existing earthen storages,
2. Expansion or construction of any building or structures used to house farm animals that requires a building permit under thy Building Code Act* , and
3. Construction of any manure storage facility that requires a building permit under the Building Code Act*.
* An approved NMS is also required in these situations in unorganized townships.
How many animals does it take to be greater than 5 NU? Following are examples:
-6 beef cows
-4 Holstein cows
-31 feeder hogs
-31 ewes
-16 beef stockers/backgrounders
-6 pleasure horses
The five year crop plan is only a part of a nutrient management plan. Only some operations that are required to have a NMS must also have a NMP. Although the NMP is recommended to all farm operations that apply nutrients, only those operations that must have a NMS AND fall under one of the following categories must also have a NMP under the current regulations for the Nutrient Management Act (2002):
1. Livestock numbers ? 300 NU in the farm unit
2. Any part of the land in the farm unit is within 100 metres of a municipal well
3. Apply non-agricultural source material (NASM) such as biosolids on land in the farm unit.
NM strategies and NM plans must be prepared by someone certified under the Nutrient Management Act (2002). There are two options for certification: a farmer can take the necessary courses to be certified or you can hire a certified consultant to prepare your NMS. Once your NM strategy has been prepared, it is sent to OMAFRA in Guelph for approval.
For more information on consultants, nutrient management courses or other nutrient management information, call the toll free Nutrient Management Information Line at 1 866-242-4460 or on-line at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/agops/index.html