Scott and Ryan Steele had a feedyard in Idaho Falls which was being encroached upon by gravel pits and development. They decided to move their feedlot, consisting of beef calves and dairy heifers, to a more rural area outside of the city, in Jefferson County where they would have the opportunity to expand their operation.

The Steele’s brought AGPROfessionals in before purchasing the property for the new feedyard. They chose AGPROfessionals for our complete package of services, experience in Best Management Practices (BMP), and the knowledge of Jefferson County Code, Idaho Statutes, and Administrative Codes.

Completing this project included developing a due diligence report on the new site, representing SRS Cattle through the Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting process, feedyard design including waste system design and waste management plan, and grading plans.

Due Diligence and Permitting

We completed a site visit and due diligence report prior to the client purchasing the piece of property for the new feedyard. During this process, we reviewed water rights, surface conditions, and county requirements. We believed the site to be ideal for the new feedyard due to its rural nature (no neighbors), availability of feed, depth to groundwater, and topography.

The next step was the Jefferson County CAFO Permitting process. This included working with the Idaho Siting Team, pulling together the full application narrative, and representing the client before the Planning and Zoning Commission at the hearing.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the project.

Final Site Layout and Grading Plan

The site engineered by AGPROfessionals included access design (complete with wind breaks), pen sizing and layout, office, processing/receiving facility, commodity barn, feed storage and delivery, silage and hay storage, manure storage, and a drainage pond system for run-off. The site plan took into account all required setbacks and Right of Ways (ROW).

We worked with the client to minimize the grading needed while also providing positive drainage to two ponds that were engineered to Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) regulations. Engineering and grading utilized the natural topography, splitting the site into two drainage basins. Each drainage basin flows to a swale, which then flows to a lined sediment pond then on to the main lined manure pond.

Environmental/Nutrient Management Plan

We developed the Environmental/Nutrient Management Plan (E/NMP) for the site and submitted it to ISDA for approval. This plan described how pens will be maintained, and manure composted and windrowed in two designated areas of the CAFO facility. It detailed that the composted manure will be exported by a third party and that runoff water will be transferred to a neighboring farm. No manure would be land applied by SRS Cattle, LLC.

Takeaway

At the conclusion of the project, Scott and Ryan Steele of SRS Cattle, LLC are satisfied with the new facility and excited to be feeding cattle outside of the city of Idaho Falls.

Are you facing engineering, planning, or permitting obstacles? AGPROfessionals has the full suite of services, expertise, experience, and proven track record to be your partner in reaching your goals. Give us a call!

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