Infosheet #9Livestock Yards and Outdoor Confinement Areas (OCAs)

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Location
  • 9-1 Distance from livestock yard to nearest surface water
  • 9-2 Distance from livestock yard to well
  • 9-3 Distance from livestock yard to subsurface perforated or clay drainage tile
  • 9-4 Clean Water Diversion
  • 9-5 Control of Livestock Yard Runoff
  • 9-6 Groundwater Protection
  • 9-7 Management of Yard Snow

Introduction

This infosheet provides background to Worksheet #9 of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options you could adopt to address problem areas in your operation. In most cases you'll need more information before implementation: please refer to the resource materials listed in the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technical Advisors.

All options are classed as Actions, Compensating Factors or Monitoring. Actions address the areas of concern identified, and will change the rating to (3) or Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. Monitoring is an alternative only in special circumstances and is explained in the infosheet when and how it can be used.

At the request of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, consisting of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, AGCare, and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, the following people contributed to the development of Infosheet #9:

Don Hilborn, OMAFRA (Chair)
John Forsyth, OMAFRA
Murray Blackie, MOEE
Jack Rodenburg, OMAFRA
Peter Doris, Ontario Cattlemen’s Association
Tracy Ryan, G.R.C.A.

Technical Editing Committee:
Brent Kennedy, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA

The following people contributed to the revision (2004) of Infosheet #9:

Kevin McKague, OMAFRA (Co-chair)
Don Hilborn, OMAFRA (Co-chair)
Christoph Wand, OMAFRA
Scott Abernethy, MOE
Anne Loeffler, GRCA
Rita Vogel, OSCIA

Technical Editing Committee:
H.J.Smith, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA

OMAFRA = Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
MOE = Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Location

Issue: 9-1 Distance from livestock yard to nearest surface water

The shorter the distance between the livestock yard and the surface water (e.g. stream, ditch, catch basin), the greater the risk of contaminating surface water supplies. Steeply sloping topography and heavy soils will further increase the contamination risk to surface water.

Some municipalities may have "distance to a water source" as part of their zoning requirements. Ontario's Nutrient Management Act (O.Reg 267/03 as amended) also identifies minimum setback requirements for livestock yards that are defined and regulated under the Nutrient Management Act as an outdoor confinement area (OCA) if they are also used as a manure storage.

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Relocate yard an adequate distance from surface water:

• locate yard downslope from water where possible
• new livestock yard location should change the final EFP distance rating to a (3) or better.

Option #2 – Action

Redirect watercourse away from livestock yard:

• a small watercourse could be redirected and moved farther away from the livestock yard or moved underground through a non-perforated pipe system – make sure necessary approvals from relevant agencies (e.g. MOE, MNR, DFO, Municipality, and local CA) are received before making this change. Note, that many have found this option to be cost prohibitive. Approvals may also be difficult to obtain.
• new surface water location should change the final EFP distance rating to a (3) or better.

For More Information:

• Livestock Yards, Open-Air Feedlots and Wintering Sites are "Outdoor Confinement Areas" under the NMA 2002, OMAFRA Factsheet, Order No. 04-093

Option #3 – Action

Increase the flow path distance between surface water and livestock yard:

• earthen diversions can be built that will redirect yard runoff to run alongside the watercourse or cause it to meander in an upslope area for a distance instead of running directly to the surface water. This increases the distance the yard runoff has to travel before entering surface water. It allows for deposition and infiltration to occur along the flow path similar to what occurs with a natural setback. Ensure any berming will not cause or increase erosion on either your property or neighbouring lands. Professional assistance to site and design berms is recommended when such work is being considered, particularly along larger watercourses. A permit from the local Conservation Authority will be necessary if work is done in floodplain areas.
• length of flow path should be equivalent to or greater than setback distance in (3).

Option #4 - Monitoring

For existing livestock yards that have, or will have within two years, full containment of yard runoff, and are in good working condition (no leaks or cracks), monitor yard/containment regularly, visually checking for leaks, cracks, seepage or overtopping of yard runoff.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, Ontario Regulation. 267/03,as amended, and associated protocols, Contact your Local OMAFRA Agricultural Engineer or Nutrient Management Specialist
• Local Conservation Authority (CA)

Issue: 9-2 Distance from livestock yard to well

The greater the distance between the livestock yard or OCA and the well, the less chance there is of yard runoff reaching the well and contaminating it. If yard runoff moves down to the ground water and contaminates it, the potential for contamination of the well is lower if the well is located further away from the livestock yard or OCA. The soil type and depth to water table and bedrock will also influence the contamination potential.

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Relocate yard an adequate distance from well:

• when a new livestock yard is constructed, it should be located at a safe distance from the well and preferably downslope from the well if possible. Minimum setbacks from wells for regulated OCAs are set out in Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended
• livestock yard location should change the final EFP distance rating to a (3) or better
• where the minimum distances cannot be attained due to site restrictions, seek guidance from MOE
• test well water for indicator bacteria at least three times a year, and once a year for other parameters (such as nitrate) until the new livestock yard or OCA is built.

Option #2 – Action

Locate new well away from livestock yard or OCA:

• make sure old well is properly decommissioned (abandoned according to Ontario Regulation 903)
• new well location should change the final EFP distance rating to a (3) or better
• test well water for indicator bacteria at least three times a year, and once a year for other parameters (such as nitrate) until the new water well is installed.

Option #3 – Monitoring

For existing livestock yards that have, or will have within two years, full containment of yard runoff and are in good working condition (no leaks or cracks), test the well water for indicator bacteria at least three times a year, and once a year for other parameters (such as nitrate):

• monitoring of well water is not a solution. If a test reveals contamination of the well water, have a plan of action in place to immediately identify and address the source of contamination
• if you have an EFP rating of (1), contact MOE for further guidance.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended, and associated protocols.
• Contact your local OMAFRA Agricultural Engineer or Nutrient Management Specialist
• Water Wells and Groundwater Supplies: Recommended Methods for Plugging Abandoned Water Wells, MOE bulletin
• Best Management Practices Book: Well Water Information Kit, Order No. BMP 12K (OMAFRA and MOE)
  

Issue: 9-3 Distance from livestock yard to subsurface perforated or clay drainage tile

Surface water is at less risk if there are no subsurface perforated tile drainage systems in close proximity to the yard area collecting and carrying yard runoff directly to surface streams or ditches.

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Remove all perforated drainage tile located beneath and within 75 ft. of the livestock yard:

• refer to tile drain maps or records to locate all known subsurface tiles. May require some trenching around the yard area to find all suspected subsurface drains.

Option #2 – Action

Replace all perforated drainage tile located beneath and within 75 ft. of the storage with non-perforated pipe and all subsurface joints properly sealed:

• may conduct clean water around a storage (e.g. eavestrough water, upslope diversion water).

Option #3 – Action

Collect and store or treat all tile water:

• this is an option when perforated or clay drainage tile are located beneath and/or near the livestock yard.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended, and associated protocols.
• Contact your local OMAFRA Agricultural Engineer or Nutrient Management Specialist.
• The contractor or engineer you have retained to assist with the yard design and construction

Issue: 9-4 Clean Water Diversion

Surface and ground water are at less risk if the quantity of contaminated liquid produced in a yard is small. This applies whether the liquid is fully contained or not, as fully contained liquid must eventually be spread on land.

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Reduce the amount of surface water reaching the livestock yard:

• install eavestroughs on all roofs to drain water around the livestock yard. Direct eavestrough water away from area using sealed, non-perforated drainage tile
• build concrete curbs along the yards to prevent surface water entry to the yard area
• redirect surface water flows around the yard area. In some cases this will involve the construction of diversion berms (earthen dams to intercept the flow of water). Redirection may also involve the re-grading of field topography.

Option #2 – Action

Move the location of the yard:

• availability of land, location of livestock operation and cost of relocation often reduce the feasibility of this option
• relocation of yard results in a reduction or elimination of surface water and roof water entering yard
• replacing a livestock yard area with a roofed structure may achieve your cost and environmental objectives without changing the location of the main barn.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended and associated protocols.
• Contact your local OMAFRA Agricultural Engineer or Nutrient Management Specialist.
• The contractor or engineer you have retained to assist with the yard design and construction.

Issue: 9-5 Control of Livestock Yard Runoff

Contaminated liquids from yards (yard runoff) cannot be discharged onto the land surface or to drains without considerable risk to surface or ground water.

Unpaved yards can have areas of high livestock concentration (due to feeding) on a soil or permeable base. Generally the surface area per head is much larger than for paved yards. The storage of contaminated runoff for the entire lot is not likely to be feasible.

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Convert to a total barn confinement system or a barn/pasture system where livestock feed on pasture during the growing season and are housed in barns during the non-growing season. Only very limited yard access (e.g. a few hours a month to clean out barn) is allowed during the non-growing season:

• may be costly but can be very effective
• alternatively, if placing a roof over the yard area, assess how much of the existing yard is really needed depending on your livestock management practices.

Option #2 – Action

Collect all yard runoff and store in an acceptable manner similar to liquid manure:

• storage capacity should be checked to ensure it has the capacity required to contain runoff volume from yard
• clean surface water should be diverted away from storage to reduce capacity required
• reduce size of yard if possible
• typically, this option is not practical for unpaved yards as area per head is typically much larger than for paved yards.

Option #3 – Action

Construct a vegetative filter strip to handle runoff from yard or OCA:

• will require an engineered design to account for peak flows
• will require approval from MOE for system operation and maintenance.

Option #4– Action

Establish a physical barrier between surface water and livestock yard:

• a permanent vegetated flow path of 300m in length is an option that is more appropriate for smaller, low density yards.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, Ontario Regulation 267/03, as amended, Section VIII
• Contact your local OMAFRA Agricultural Engineer or Nutrient Management Specialist
• Livestock Yards, Open-Air Feedlots and Wintering Sites are "Outdoor Confinement Areas" under the NMA 2002, OMAFRA Factsheet, Order No. 04-093

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Pave the entire yard area with an impermeable material (e.g. concrete):

• this option will be feasible only if the area to be paved is not too large and runoff that will result can be properly managed
• assess how much of the yard is really needed
• consider site conditions when selecting an area to be paved; paving on areas where there is at least 5 ft. of base material containing at least 15% clay provides added groundwater protection
• accumulated solids must be scraped regularly, properly stored and spread.

Option #2 – Action

Unpaved or partially paved livestock yard with adequate soil clay content and depth:

• this option will be feasible only if the yard has low livestock densities and the site chosen for the yard already possesses the required soil base characteristics
• areas of high use (e.g. feeding apron) should be paved and manure and runoff managed
• frequent moving of the feeder between unpaved areas may be sufficient in low animal density situations – the remainder of the yard should have vegetative cover
• select a low maintenance vegetation that stands up to traffic and utilizes nitrogen
• vegetative cover may be maintained by restricting the livestock numbers and removing them in wet weather.

Option #3 – Action

Convert to a total barn confinement system or a barn/pasture system where livestock are housed in barns during the non-growing season with restricted yard area access during that time and on pasture during growing season:

• often cost-prohibitive but may be only option if site conditions dictate
• alternatively, assess how much of the existing yard is really needed depending on your livestock management practices.

For More Information:

• Nutrient Management Act, Ontario Regulation. 267/03, as amended, and associated protocols

Issue: 9-7 Management of Yard Snow

What can you do?

Option #1 – Action

Convert to a total barn confinement system or a barn/pasture system, where livestock are housed in barns during the non-growing season with restricted yard area access during that time and on pasture during growing season:

• may be costly but eliminates need to have to deal with yard snow
• alternatively, assess how much of the existing yard is really needed depending on your livestock management

Option #2 – Action

Lay out yards and windbreaks in a manner that minimizes yard snow accumulation:

• may prevent the need to handle yard snow, saving time
• if meltwater is collected and properly stored and handled as a liquid manure, volumes to be handled can be reduced.

Option #3 – Action

Handle snow in the yard's runoff containment or treatment system:

• additional liquid amounts beyond normal annual precipitation can be included when designing runoff storages using OMAFRA's manure storage sizing software (MSTOR)
• lay out the facilities to minimize snow drift accumulation in yard areas
• will require liquid handling equipment or hiring of a custom operator
• experimentation has been done with using a 5 ft. to 7 ft. thick layer of bark and shavings over the soil base of livestock wintering yards to absorb and treat snowmelt and runoff from these yards. The top foot of shavings are removed and spread annually. Runoff, however, still needs to be managed.

For More Information:

• Siting and Management of OCAs
• Snow and Wind Control in Agriculture, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 74-082

Infosheet Table of Contents