Based on Ontario nutrient management requirements · Certified Crop Advisor · 15+ years agriculture experience
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?
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
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.
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.
Agronomy Services
Assistance with agricultural funding applications and grant submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an NMS to build a barn in Ontario? In most cases, yes — if you are increasing livestock or nutrient storage capacity, you will likely need a Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS) before construction can begin.
What are nutrient units? A nutrient unit is a measurement used under Ontario's Nutrient Management Act to determine the regulatory requirements for your farm. It's based on the type and number of livestock you have.
When do I need both an NMS and an NMP? Typically when your farm operation exceeds 300 nutrient units, you'll need both a Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS) for storage and expansion, and a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) for land application of nutrients.
How long does approval take? Approval timelines vary depending on the complexity of your operation. Most plans take several weeks from farm visit to final approval. Starting early is critical — delays can cost you a full growing season.
What is the difference between an NMS and an NMP? A Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS) focuses on how nutrients are stored and handled on the farm (e.g., manure storage, barn design, runoff control). A Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) focuses on how nutrients are applied to land, including rates, timing, and field-by-field planning.
What are 300 nutrient units? Nutrient units are a standardized way of measuring the amount of nutrients produced by livestock. In general terms, 300 nutrient units is a key regulatory threshold in Ontario. Farms at or above this level are more likely to trigger requirements for an NMS and/or NMP. The exact number of nutrient units depends on the type and number of animals on your farm, so it’s important to calculate this accurately.