Do you own a pre-2002 confined feeding operation? Help protect its future with a formal grandfathering determination from the NRCB Did your operation exist, or was it permitted by the county, before the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) came into effect on January 1, 2002? If so, now is the time to request a formal…
Read MoreThe Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has initiated a program to verify that the livestock population of feedlots permitted by the NRCB are within their allotted numbers. The Livestock Population Verification Program is a response to evidence provided by complainants indicating that some operators in Lethbridge County may be exceeding the livestock numbers in their…
Read MoreThe NRCB recognizes that many areas of the province are dealing with drought conditions. If these conditions continue into the 2024 growing season, they could cause poor grass pastures, lack of water for livestock, lack of harvestable forage crops, and the summer confined feeding of cow-calf herds may be necessary. Under normal conditions, confined feeding…
Read MoreDo you have water well monitoring conditions attached to your confined feeding operation (CFO) permit? The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has just published a new fact sheet outlining sampling methods and best practices for collecting water samples. You can find it here on the NRCB website: Sampling for Water Well Monitoring Fact Sheet. For…
Read MoreThe Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has updated its approach to the regulation of portable calf housing (hutches) in response to industry and market changes. Portable calf housing is no longer viewed as short-term manure storage under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act. More information is available in the NRCB’s new Operational Guideline 2023-1: Portable Calf Housing…
Read MoreIf you are planning to buy or sell a confined feeding operation (CFO) you should consider contacting the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) early in your process. Here’s what you need to know about your rights and obligations under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA). For the buyer Under AOPA, anyone who buys or otherwise…
Read MoreThe Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has released an updated Approvals Policy for confined feeding operations in Alberta. The 2018 policy was updated to improve transparency and clarity regarding Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) requirements and their interpretation, reflect current practices, and incorporate feedback that was received. The updated Operational Policy 2016-7: Approvals incorporates: The…
Read MoreThe Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) recognizes that due to the current very dry conditions and poor grass pastures, summer feeding of cow-calf herds may be required. Under normal conditions, cow-calf confined feeding during the grazing period may be considered a confined feeding operation that requires a permit. However, due to the extenuating circumstances, the…
Read MoreThe Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has released an updated grandfathering policy for confined feeding operations in Alberta. Operational Policy 2023-1: Grandfathering (Deemed Permit) replaces two previous policies (2016-5: Determining Deemed Capacity for Grandfathered CFOs and 2016-6: Public Notice for Grandfathering Decisions) with a single combined policy. The new policy provides greater transparency and will…
Read MoreThe start of a new year is a great time to look ahead. If you’re planning to build new or expand existing facilities at your confined feeding operation be sure to check with a Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) approval officer first to find out whether you need a permit. Do you need a permit…
Read MoreFall is manure spreading season for many producers, including confined feeding operators, and the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) wants to remind you of a few things. Manure application Under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA), you must incorporate manure or compost within 48 hours of the start of application on cultivated lands. If you…
Read MoreWith the historic heat wave hovering over Alberta in past weeks many of us have been longing for rain to cool things off and revive crops. But heavy rains can increase the risk of a manure release. A release of manure from a confined feeding operation (CFO) is a serious issue that needs to be…
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