P L A N N I N G

A GUIDE TO BEGINNING A THRIVING LIVESTOCK OPERATION

POULTRY

DAIRY

PORK

BEEF

LOCATING YOUR BARN

LOCATING YOUR BARN

P L A N N I N G

I f y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n m a k i n g

l i v e s t o c k p a r t o f y o u r f a r m ,

v i s i t i l s o y . o r g / a n i m a l a g .

R2

P L A N N I N G

FILING A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSTRUCT (NOITC)

Before construction of any size, a NOITC must be filed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

A public information meeting can be requested for a barn housing 1,000 or more AU by the county board or a petition signed by 75 people. Be sure to talk with your county officials as soon as possible.

Livestock manure management plan certification must be completed for 1,000+ AU.

LIVESTOCK MANAGER CERTIFICATION

Barns with 300+ AU require a certified livestock manager.

300-999 AU – need to attend an approved training course or pass a proficiency exam.

1,000+ AU – need to both attend approved training course AND pass a proficiency exam.

TIPS FOR NEIGHBOR RELATIONS

Keep an honest, open two-way communication with neighbors before, during and after construction.

Be detailed and personal with conversations. Give examples of how your operation works, how family is involved and how you plan to manage potential issues like odor and spills.

Welcome questions and concerns from neighbors, but remember that you are not asking for permission.

Alert neighbors ahead of time about big projects that may increase traffic in the area.

Host an open house to invite neighbors and community members to view your new barn before animals move in. Help is available from ILDG and commodity groups to plan the event.

LOCATING YOUR BARN

Siting a new livestock barn requires planning prior to implementation. It is important to keep compliance with regulations and environmental stewardship always in your plans. Be mindful of how your new barn will affect your neighbors. Here are some ways to make the approval, building and inspection process simpler.

BEFORE SITING YOUR BARN

Ask for help. Work with Illinois Livestock Development Group, environmental engineers and business partners to make sure you explore all possible hurdles to the process.

Determine size of barn – How many animals will be housed in the barn?

Consider proximity to roads, bodies of water, businesses, public use area and neighbors. This is important to know for setback distances. Even if it complies with setback rules, community resistance can slow the process if it is close to schools or camps.

Establish manure management plan – consider nutrient management, odor control, proximity to fields where manure will be applied and crisis planning.

Plan for the future – Can this site be expanded as your business grows?

Familiarize yourself with the eight siting criteria found in the Livestock Management Facilites Act (LMFA), as well as at this link: https://www.agr.state.il.us/livestock-management-facilities-program.

PLANNING – KNOW BEFORE YOU FILE

Who will be official owner of the barn?

How many animal units (AU) will your barn house – Legally, all livestock species are measured in AU, measurements that vary based on species and weight. This factors into certification and permit requirements.

Type of Barn – Is this barn for breeding, gestation, farrowing, nursery, grower, finisher, freestall barn, feedlot/yard, or milking parlor?

Type of Manure Handling – Pit storage, above-ground, in-ground, earthen lagoon, or runoff holding pond? A construction plan must be included in application.

Distance to the nearest town, residence, occupied residence, non-farm business and common place of assembly.

A map or sketch of proposed barn and setback distances must be submitted.

P L A N N I N G P L A N N I N G

For more information about calculating animal units, setback distances, livestock manager certification,

manure management plans and NOITC form, visit ilsoy.org/animalag.

P L A N N I N G

FILING A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSTRUCT (NOITC)

Before construction of any size, a NOITC must be filed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

A public information meeting can be requested for a barn housing 1,000 or more AU by the county board or a petition signed by 75 people. Be sure to talk with your county officials as soon as possible.

Livestock manure management plan certification must be completed for 1,000+ AU.

LIVESTOCK MANAGER CERTIFICATION

Barns with 300+ AU require a certified livestock manager.

300-999 AU – need to attend an approved training course or pass a proficiency exam.

1,000+ AU – need to both attend approved training course AND pass a proficiency exam.

TIPS FOR NEIGHBOR RELATIONS

Keep an honest, open two-way communication with neighbors before, during and after construction.

Be detailed and personal with conversations. Give examples of how your operation works, how family is involved and how you plan to manage potential issues like odor and spills.

Welcome questions and concerns from neighbors, but remember that you are not asking for permission.

Alert neighbors ahead of time about big projects that may increase traffic in the area.

Host an open house to invite neighbors and community members to view your new barn before animals move in. Help is available from ILDG and commodity groups to plan the event.

LOCATING YOUR BARN

Siting a new livestock barn requires planning prior to implementation. It is important to keep compliance with regulations and environmental stewardship always in your plans. Be mindful of how your new barn will affect your neighbors. Here are some ways to make the approval, building and inspection process simpler.

BEFORE SITING YOUR BARN

Ask for help. Work with Illinois Livestock Development Group, environmental engineers and business partners to make sure you explore all possible hurdles to the process.

Determine size of barn – How many animals will be housed in the barn?

Consider proximity to roads, bodies of water, businesses, public use area and neighbors. This is important to know for setback distances. Even if it complies with setback rules, community resistance can slow the process if it is close to schools or camps.

Establish manure management plan – consider nutrient management, odor control, proximity to fields where manure will be applied and crisis planning.

Plan for the future – Can this site be expanded as your business grows?

Familiarize yourself with the eight siting criteria found in the Livestock Management Facilites Act (LMFA), as well as at this link: https://www.agr.state.il.us/livestock-management-facilities-program.

PLANNING – KNOW BEFORE YOU FILE

Who will be official owner of the barn?

How many animal units (AU) will your barn house – Legally, all livestock species are measured in AU, measurements that vary based on species and weight. This factors into certification and permit requirements.

Type of Barn – Is this barn for breeding, gestation, farrowing, nursery, grower, finisher, freestall barn, feedlot/yard, or milking parlor?

Type of Manure Handling – Pit storage, above-ground, in-ground, earthen lagoon, or runoff holding pond? A construction plan must be included in application.

Distance to the nearest town, residence, occupied residence, non-farm business and common place of assembly.

A map or sketch of proposed barn and setback distances must be submitted.

P L A N N I N G P L A N N I N G

For more information about calculating animal units, setback distances, livestock manager certification,

manure management plans and NOITC form, visit ilsoy.org/animalag.

P L A N N I N G

A GUIDE TO BEGINNING A THRIVING LIVESTOCK OPERATION

POULTRY

DAIRY

PORK

BEEF

LOCATING YOUR BARN

LOCATING YOUR BARN

P L A N N I N G

I f y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n m a k i n g

l i v e s t o c k p a r t o f y o u r f a r m ,

v i s i t i l s o y . o r g / a n i m a l a g .

R2