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How Many Nutrient Units Do I Have?
Beef Operations

Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 01 July 2003
Last Reviewed: 01 January 2006

If you own a beef operation, Ontario Regulation 267/03 under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 applies to you if your operation generates 300 or more nutrient units (NU) annually. It also applies to you if your operation generates more than five (5) NU annually and you:

  • apply for a building permit* to build any structure that is used to house livestock or to store manure; or

  • construct an earthen manure storage.

If you own a beef operation and keep no other livestock on your farm, you can use the following chart to easily determine the nutrient units for your farm operation.

Determine Total Nutrient Units for Your Farm:

Type of Beef Operation # of Animals NU Conversion Factor Divide # of Animals by NU Conversion Factor
Beef Cows
Includes calves to weaning		   1 animal/NU  
Beef Backgrounders
261-408 kilograms (575-900 pounds)		   3 animals/NU  
Beef Shortkeeps
408-590 kilograms (900-1,300 pounds)		   2 animals/NU  
Beef Feeders
261-567 kilograms
(575-1,250 pounds)		   3 animals/NU  
Total Nutrient Units on Farm
  

* O. Reg. 267/03 also applies to those operations that would require a building permit under the Building Code Act, 1992 but are exempt from having to obtain a permit under the application of clause 2.4.1.1(1) (b) of Ontario Regulation 403/97 (Building Code) made under that Act.

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