Questions from Consultants and Farmers

Does a Livestock Barn Rebuilding After a Catastrophe Need a Nutrient Management Strategy?

This question has been raised a number of times by producers that have had barns collapse or destroyed by fire. The question often comes when the barn being rebuilt is the same size and at the same location as the original structure.

Let's set the record straight. Any application for a building permit for livestock housing or manure storage by an operation generating greater than five nutrient units will trigger the requirements for an approved NMS, which must be obtained prior to the building permit. If a farm was not previously phased in under the Nutrient Management Act (NMA), the building permit would trigger the need for an approved NMS. This operation would then be phased in.

If the farm was previously phased in, and had an approved NMS in place, then the need for a new NMS will be determined by the significance of the construction. If there are significant differences between the new structures and the previously existing buildings, then an amendment to the NMS may be required. A new NMS is required if there are changes to the housing capacity, animal density or barn dimensions. If the rebuilt structure is similar to the original then the existing NMS may be sufficient.

The local building department may be willing to make this determination, but they may want confirmation from the Ministry regarding the status of an existing NMS. The Approvals Unit will respond to requests in writing.

There is an expedited review process that speeds up the process of approval of NMSs submitted as a result of catastrophes, in order to ensure that producers are able to rebuild as soon as possible. Please contact your local environmental specialist or call the Nutrient Management Information Line for more information.

The misconception about the need for an approved NMS stems from the fact that in catastrophe situations a municipality has the option to not apply MDS II to the rebuilding of a livestock facility. This is providing the resulting facility is built no closer to a surrounding development or that animal numbers or density are not increased above that of the facility that existed before the event.

I am Making Some Changes to My Milking Parlour; Do I Need a New Nutrient Management Strategy?

When you are making any change to livestock housing or manure storage facilities that requires a building permit, an approved Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS) is required. The NMS is required even if the livestock housing capacity of the barn does not change.

This means that if structural changes made to a milking parlour or to a horse tack room trigger the need for a building permit a Nutrient Management Strategy will be required. The assumption here is that the rooms to be added or changed are attached to the livestock housing part of the barn.

One Last Word

Correct Roll Numbers will save serious time in the processing of NM Strategies. It can take hours and days to sort out incorrect roll numbers, which often delay the process. Roll number databases OMAFRA reviewers have access to do not always reflect revisions made by municipalities - and municipality roll numbers rule. If you got the roll number from the municipality, please tell us in your NM Strategy document. It can save both of us a lot of time.