Based on Ontario nutrient management requirements
Certified Crop Advisor
15+ years agriculture experience
First-Step Planning Tools
Use these tools to screen your project early. Final NMS, NMP, MDS, and storage requirements depend on the full farm situation.
What Actually Goes Into an NMS or NMP?
A Nutrient Management Strategy or Plan is more than a basic form. It must reflect your livestock numbers, nutrient units, manure storage, land base, crop rotation, soil information, setbacks, and supporting farm sketches.
Nutrient unit calculations
Liquid and solid manure storage review
Soil tests and crop rotation
Farmstead and field sketches
Livestock capacity and manure generation
Field and land-base information
Setbacks from wells, surface water, roads, and neighbouring uses
Submission support and follow-up
Most Farm Expansion Projects Get Delayed Due to Approvals
Without the right plans in place, your barn build or livestock expansion can stall for months. Delays can cost you a full growing season.
What Do You Need?
Building a barn
You likely need an NMS
Expanding livestock
You likely need an NMS
Larger farms (300+ nutrient units)
You likely need both NMS and NMP
Our Simple 5-Step Process
From initial farm visit to final approval, we handle everything.
Farm Visit
Nutrient Unit Calculations
Field Analysis
Plan Preparation
Submission
15+ years agronomy experience
Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)
Serving Southwestern Ontario
Do I Need a Nutrient Management Plan or Strategy?
Answer two quick questions to find out what you likely need.
You likely need an NMS.
A Nutrient Management Strategy is typically required for barn construction or livestock expansion. You may also need an NMP depending on your situation.
Are you building a barn or expanding livestock?
You will likely need both an NMS and an NMP.
Operations at or above 300 nutrient units typically require both a Nutrient Management Strategy and a Nutrient Management Plan.
You likely do not need an NMS or NMP.
However, if your plans change, certain thresholds may still trigger requirements. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.
Will your operation be 300 nutrient units or more?
You likely need at least an NMS.
A Nutrient Management Strategy is typically required for barn construction or livestock expansion. You may also need an NMP depending on your situation.
Serving Southwestern Ontario
Local expertise where it matters most.
Nutrient Management Services in Southwestern Ontario
NMS, NMP, barn expansion, and manure managment support across Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, and Essex.
Additional Services
Beyond nutrient management, we help with broader farm success.
Agronomy Services
Farmland health checkups, soil assessments, and crop advisory services.
NASM Plans
Plans for non-agricultural source materials including biosolids and food processing waste.
Agricultural Grant Writing
Assistance with agricultural funding applications and grant submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an NMS to build a barn in Ontario?
What are nutrient units and how does this relate to livestock?
When do I need both an NMS and an NMP?
How long does approval of a NMS or NMP take?