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How Many Nutrient Units Do I Have?
Dairy Operations

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

If you own a dairy 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 dairy 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 Dairy Operation # of Animals NU Conversion Factor Divide # of Animals by NU Conversion Factor
Large Frame
(e.g., Holstein)		 Cows
545-636 kilograms (1,200-1,400 pounds)		   0.7
animals/NU		  
Heifers
182-545 kilograms (400-1,200 pounds)		   2 animals/
NU		  
Calves
45-182 kilograms (100-400 pounds)		   6 animals/
NU		  
Medium Frame
(e.g., Guernsey)		 Cows
455-545 kilograms (1,000-1,200 pounds)		   0.85 animals/NU  
Heifers
148-455 kilograms (325-1,000 pounds)		   2.4 animals/
NU		  
Calves
39-148 kilograms (85-325 pounds)		   7 animals/
NU		  
Small Frame
(e.g., Jersey)		 Cows
364-455 kilograms (800-1,000 pounds)		   1 animal/
NU		  
Heifers
125-364 kilograms (275-800 pounds)		   2.9 animals/
NU		  
Calves
30-125 kilograms (65-275 pounds)		   8.5 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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