Beneficial Management Practices: Environmental Manual for Alberta Farmsteads - Nuisance

As agriculture and other land uses continue to compete for space in Alberta, nuisance conflicts will increase. Significant nuisances associated with farming operations include dust, smoke, odour and noise. Rural residents should consider how to best deal with and minimize these nuisances.

Dust and Smoke

Dust and smoke can be a concern for both rural residents and agricultural producers. Dust from traffic activities, whether from farming operations or road travel, and smoke from burning farm wastes can potentially create a nuisance for your neighbours. Practices to minimize or eliminate these nuisances will help lessen the conflicts that can occur. For more information regarding proper burning of debris, refer to the Burning section of Chapter 8.

The following BMPs can be used to minimize or eliminate dust as a nuisance:

• Reduce speed when driving near farmsteads or country residential homes and use the least travelled route during times of heavy traffic volumes.
• Inform neighbours when and for how long farm-related traffic volumes are going to increase during busy periods.
• Be aware of the effect heavy traffic may have on your neighbours and if possible adjust your road travel accordingly. This practice may mean a reduction in farm-related traffic in morning, at night and on weekends.
• Wet down gravel or dirt roads with water or oil during times of heavy traffic. (For more information on applying oil to your roadways in accordance with regulations refer to Chapter 8.)
• Pave roadways in front of yard if possible.
• Use shelterbelts or windbreaks to reduce dust movement.
• Clean or remove excess manure from corrals as dry weather approaches.
• Reduce or eliminate tillage in nearby fields to prevent dust from wind erosion.

• Consider alternative disposal methods for green material and other wastes that may produce lots of smoke.
• Notify the fire department of your activities and have fire fighting and safety equipment available on-site.
• Be aware of the effect smoke may have on your neighbours; consider not burning at all or if possible adjust your burning schedule accordingly. This practice may mean not burning in morning, at night and on weekends.
• Inform neighbours when and for how long smoke-producing activities are going to occur.
• Only burn when weather and wind conditions allow more air movement to disperse the smoke.
• Ensure smoke does not drift on to roadways or into neighbours’ yards by using proper containment units and providing smoke barriers.
• Ensure the fire is supervised and contained by providing a fuel-free buffer area.

• Locate manure or compost storages a minimum distance of 150 m (492 ft) from neighbouring residences.
• Compost solid manure to reduce or eliminate odour during spreading.
• Select fields to avoid odour movement by wind into nearby neighbours’ yards or spread manure when the wind is blowing away from your neighbours.
• Use lagoon covers or natural crusts to reduce odour losses during the warm season.
• Notify neighbours of when and for how long odour-producing activities will occur.
• Time manure lagoon agitation just prior to spreading to minimize duration of odour contact time with neighbours.
• Alter spreading times to avoid spreading on weekends, evenings and holidays to minimize odour contact with neighbours.
• Spread manure during midday when odour dispersion is best, and avoid spreading on hot, humid days when there is little air movement.
• Avoid applying high rates of manure and apply below the plant canopy when possible.
• Incorporate manure as quickly as possible after spreading or use injection systems.
• Reduce spreader deflection angle on liquid broadcasters to reduce drift (apply as close to ground as possible).
• Irrigate (where applicable) following application.
• Other BMPs to avoid odour nuisances and conflicts associated with other practices on the farm include:
• Ensure the location of silage, mortality composting or other odour-producing practices are at adequate distances from neighbours.
• Design compost facilities correctly to ensure proper composting of material in a timely manner.
• Dispose of farm waste at proper waste management facilities.
• Use shelterbelts to manage odour movement by wind to neighbours.
• Tell neighbours or utilize signs in advance when odour-producing activities are planned.
• Time odour-producing activities to minimize contact time with neighbours.

• Advise neighbours in advance when noisy activities, such as calving or weaning occurs, and when planning to conduct loud operations, such as harvesting and grain drying.
• Time noisy activities, such as moving cattle or operating loud equipment, during the week and midday as opposed to weekends and evenings.
• Confine activities to areas remote from neighbours if possible.
• Use shelterbelts and windbreaks as noise barriers.
• Reduce engine noise by gearing up and throttling down.
• Prevent noise problems before they develop such as maintaining and repairing field equipment, machinery and vehicles.
• Avoid prolonged periods of idling equipment and vehicles near neighbours.
• Replace loud equipment with more efficient and quieter equipment.
• Locate loud building equipment, such as grain dryer or ventilation fans, on the opposite side of buildings away from neighbours.

• encourage people to examine issues more carefully
• deepen our understanding of problems
• open the door to new ideas and alternative solutions
• help foresee the consequences of proposed actions
• enable people to take risks and solve problems

• take the matter seriously, listen to and acknowledge concerns
• be diplomatic and ask questions to identify the real issues
• apologize, admit mistakes, and when others make mistakes, help them save face
• shift the emphasis to mutually acceptable solutions and offer to look into the matter
• promptly respond to complainants with information they need to relieve their concerns
• take responsibility and steps to mitigate damage or eliminate problems
• stay on top of on-going problems, while keeping neighbours informed of on-going progress on the farm

• getting to know them and letting them get to know you and your farming operation
• being friendly and helpful to neighbours in need
• getting involved in the community by supporting local charities and community groups, such as sports teams and youth groups
• supporting local businesses and hiring local youths
• hosting a farm tour, picnic/barbecue or potluck to generate goodwill and provide an opportunity for neighbours to ask questions about your operation in a relaxed atmosphere

• FireSmart: The Home Owners Manual No. I/189

• Farming with Neighbours, A Guide for Canadian Farmers on Preventing and Resolving Community Conflicts over Farming Practices

• 10704-Odour Control for Livestock Facilities

Other Documents in the Series