Infosheet 9 - Livestock Yards
and Outdoor Confinement Areas (OCAs)
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Location
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
Issue: 9-6 Groundwater Protection
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
Note: for farms with a regulated OCA, refer to Section
61 of O. Reg. 267/03, as amended, for more detailed information.
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
