First Posted: 1/24/2015
Livestock production, particularly pork production, in northwest Ohio is increasing at a dramatic rate. Because of the cashflow and fertilizer benefits, I usually encourage my farm clients to at least explore the possibility of livestock production.
Farmers are usually fiercely independent, do-it-themselves types. As a result, farmers who construct new livestock buildings are likely to undertake one or more of the various construction tasks on their own. Because farmers may be replacing general contractors, excavators, carpenters or concrete professionals on any given construction project, unanticipated challenges can and usually do arise along the way. Permits sometimes present the biggest unanticipated headaches.
There can be more or fewer permits required in any particular location for any particular operation, but this is a summary of the most frequent permits to expect when constructing a new livestock building.
Before determining what permits are required, a farmer must secure a professionally prepared set of drawings of the building and its operation. From those drawings, the farmer can identify the quantity of livestock that the farmer will raise along with the type of manure collection that will be used.
Usually, the most extensive permits that are required for new livestock buildings are permits to install and permits to operate. These permits are issued through the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Usually, the ODA requires permits for livestock operations that have certain quantities of livestock with certain types of manure management structures.
Expect to ask for ODA approval if the livestock operation in its entirety will manage at least 2,500 head of hogs, 10,000 head of pigs, 55,000 turkeys, or 1,000 head of cattle other than cows. Whether the manure will be liquid or dry can increase or decrease the livestock quantity numbers identified in this paragraph.
Even if the new livestock operation does not satisfy those requirements, if manure from that operation someday ultimately ends up in a waterway in Ohio, the operation should expect to need more permits to operate or expand.
Typically, the ODA permitting process is undertaken after almost every other, likely necessary local government permit is either secured or reasonably expected to be secured.
For example, building and zoning permits will almost always be required.
Despite many farmers’ perceptions, a zoning permit is almost always more than a verbal OK from a township trustee. Issuance of a zoning permit often requires proof that the location is able to support the building and its operation, including noise and smell considerations embodied in the written zoning code.
Also regardless of the size of the operation or whether the operation will need ODA permits, the farmer must ensure that there are sufficient available acres upon which to apply the manure produced by the livestock operation. The government provides a planning tool to help farmers prepare to handle livestock manure.
That tool is called a comprehensive nutrient management plan. CNMPs are not legally required for every livestock operation in Ohio, but nonetheless they are advisable for every new livestock building regardless of its size.
