| Purpose of Training Manual | Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |

| Transitioning | Model MDS Comprehensive Zoning By-law |
| MDS - Using Minor Variances | Schematics for MDS Implementation |
| Blank MDS I & II Data Sheets | Barn Identification | Manure Storage Identification |
| Determining When a Barn is a Livestock Facility |
| Estimating Livestock Housing Capacity |
| Technical Support Materials for MDS Software |
| Additional Resources | Contact Us |

10.1 Introduction

A Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) calculation can not be completed without knowing or calculating the livestock facility's housing capacity. The best source of information usually comes from asking the owner of the livestock facility, who will have records of the type of livestock kept on the farm, the total number of livestock that can be housed in the barn, and the type of manure storage system used by the operation.

However, there are two circumstances, where it may become necessary to estimate barn capacity in order to perform an MDS calculation.It may be necessary to independently verify the information received from the owner of the livestock facility, or the information provided by the owner may be incorrect, or based on inappropriate assumptions and information.

Also, when a barn has been empty for some time, or there is a new owner, he or she may not know how many, or what type of livestock could be housed within the structure. MDS is to be applied to empty livestock facilities that are structurally sound and reasonably capable of housing livestock. For additional information, see section 9.0, determining when a barn is a livestock facility. In these circumstances, MDS should be based on the most probable values for Factors A, B and D. In other words, for an empty livestock facility, the type of livestock, the total housing capacity for that type of livestock and the type of manure system should be based on the most probable uses, values and types, given the circumstances of the particular empty livestock facility.

For example, an empty livestock facility with a liquid manure storage system already in place, should use a value for Factor D of 0.8, given it is the most probable manure storage system to be used. In other instances, the most probable type of livestock and the amount of livestock housed may be based on the configuration of the barn, and information on the historical capacity. An empty livestock facility, configured to handle swine with a liquid manure system, which the owner indicates had a housing capacity of 1000 feeder hogs at near market weight, would use the following factors for an MDS calculation: A = 1.2; B = 378; and D = 0.8.

The information provided in this document and within the MDS software should be considered guidance information only. There are many factors that will affect the estimated housing capacity for a livestock facility and the density allowances that are provided for different types of livestock in different types of structures.

10.2 Estimating Factor A

Recent livestock facilities are mostly constructed with a specific type of livestock in mind. For example, a chicken broiler barn is constructed very differently from a swine or dairy barn. In this instance, determining the type of livestock most likely to be housed in the barn in the future is in part determined by reviewing the key aspects of the livestock facility, and determining what type of livestock barn this facility best represents. If the livestock facility, for which you are preparing a MDS calculation, fits the description of a dairy barn, this is the appropriate type of livestock to be used. For more information, you may wish to consult the Section 7.0, Barn Identification, which outlines a process for identifying different types of livestock operations.

However, it may not be possible to readily determine the type of livestock typically housed in the facility. This may be the case for older livestock facilities, typified by 'bank barn' construction. A number of other factors should be considered in determining the most probable type of livestock to be housed in this facility including: the configuration and sizing of penning and stalls in the barn, the type of manure handling system and storage, previous types of livestock housed in the barn if known, current commodity markets, and the type of livestock housed in comparable facilities.

In instances where it would be equally probable to have one or more types of livestock housed in the barn, consideration should be given to basing the MDS calculation on the livestock type with the higher value for Factor A.

10.3 Estimating Factor B

After determining the type of livestock housed in the facility (i.e. Factor A), the next step is to determine the total housing capacity of the livestock facility. This in turn can be used to determine the total number of nutrient units, and thus derive a value for Factor B. Where total housing capacity is not known by the owner of the livestock facility, or there is a need to verify the information provided by the owner, the following steps can assist with determining total housing capacity.

MDS calculations are to be based on the total maximum housing capacity of the facility. First, determine the area of the livestock facility that comprises the livestock housing area. Include empty livestock facilities that are structurally sound and reasonably capable of housing livestock. Do not include portions of the livestock facility where livestock are not normally present. For example, do not include: feed bins, feed preparation areas, field shade shelters, livestock assembly areas, livestock loading chutes, machinery sheds, milking centers, offices, riding arenas, silos, washrooms, etc. Do not include livestock facilities that are less than 10m² in floor area. Do not include other structures which are not livestock facilities. For more information, see Implementation Guidelines # 2, 14, 19 and 20, as well as Section 9.0, Determining When a Barn is a Livestock Facility. After taking these various elements into consideration, determine the total area of the livestock facility where livestock are housed in square meters or square feet.

The second step is to determine the livestock density for the facility. Open the MDS software, and proceed as if you intended to complete an MDS calculation. On the MDS calculation screen, click on the 'Livestock/Material Tab'. Choose 'Add' as if you were entering information regarding livestock to be added to an MDS calculation. This will open the 'Livestock/Material' screen. At the top of the screen, enter the appropriate information regarding livestock type. This should reflect the information that you considered above regarding determination of Factor A. For example, for a swine operation, choose swine as the type of livestock, indicate the type of swine housed (e.g. feeders, sows, etc.), and the type of barn (e.g. full slats, deep bedded, etc.). Ensure that the box below this section entitled 'Calculate estimated barn area' is checked. On the right hand side of the 'Livestock/Material' screen, approximately half-way down the screen, there is a 'button' marked with a calculator logo. Click on this 'button' to display the livestock calculator tool.

The livestock calculator tool screen will show two things. One, a box in which you may input the total housing area of the livestock facility in square meters or square feet. Two, a number regarding estimated barn area per animal based on the information you have just provided to the software regarding type of livestock and housing. In essence, this figure is a density allowance for the type of livestock housed, taking into consideration the type of livestock housing or penning that is used.

Type in the maximum total area of housing capacity you have determined for the livestock facility, and press the 'Enter' key on your computer. Using the estimated barn area/animal figure, the MDS software will calculate an estimate of the maximum number of livestock that can be housed in the livestock facility. This value for the number of livestock that can be housed in the livestock facility can then be used, in conjunction with the type of livestock to be housed in the facility, to calculate the total nutrient units that can be housed in the livestock facility. From this figure, Factor B can be determined. This last step can be done through the software or through the MDS formulae calculation forms.

10.4 Estimating Factor D

The value of Factor D is dependent on the type of manure handling system, and manure storage that is in place, as part of the livestock facility. A barn configured with a liquid manure handling system and storage should use a value for Factor D that reflects the use of liquid manure (i.e., D = 0.8). In order to assist with determining the type of manure handling system and storage which is located within a livestock facility, you may want to consult Section 8.0, 'Identifying Manure Storages'. When no manure handling or storage system is present, the value of Factor D will be dependent on the type and amount of livestock likely to be housed in the facility, as determined in Factor A and Factor B above.

10.5 Important Considerations and Reasonableness

The information provided in this document and within the MDS software should be considered guidance information only. There are many factors that will affect the estimated housing capacity for a livestock facility and the density allowances that are provided for different types of livestock in different types of structures. Ontario has a diverse agricultural community, with a wide variety of livestock facilities that have been constructed over a long period of time, with different local, cultural and management considerations. It is not unreasonable to state that no two barns are alike.

There are many methods and variations for housing livestock and poultry and configuring penning which will result in increases or decreases in housing densities for a given livestock facility, compared to the space allowances provided within the MDS software. For example, a barn may be constructed with wider feed alleys than is typically the norm, to accommodate the type of technology used by the livestock facility, or satisfy the preference of the owner of the livestock facility. Especially in cases where you are attempting to verify information provided by the owner of a livestock facility, it is reasonable to accept some variation between the housing capacity provided by the owner and the housing capacity calculated using the MDS software. If the amount of variation is reasonable, it is recommended that you utilize the information provided by the owner of the livestock facility.