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Introduction to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations CAFOs Christina Richmond West Virginia Department of Agriculture Outline What is an Animal Feeding Operation? CAFO Updates Pasture Based Cattle Operations Best Management Practices Nutrient Management and Recordkeeping Technical Assistance Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) Your operation is an animal feeding operation (AFO) if animals are stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in a 12 month period and where crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility Animals needed to be defined a Large CAFO 700 mature dairy cows 1,000 beef cattle 1,000 veal calves 10,000 sheep or lambs 500 horses 2,000 swine (>55 lbs.) 10,000 swine (<55 lbs.) 30,000 ducks (nonliquid storage) 5,000 ducks (liquid manure storage) 30,000 laying hens or broilers (liquid manure storage) 125,000 broilers (dry manure storage) 82,000 laying hens (dry manure storage) 55,000 turkeys Animals needed to be defined a Medium CAFO 200 mature dairy cows 300 beef cattle 300 veal calves 750 swine (>55 lbs.) 3,000 swine (<55 lbs.) 3,000 sheep or lambs 150 horses 10,000 ducks (non liquid manure handling) 1,500 ducks (liquid manure handling) 9,000 laying hens or broilers (liquid manure) 37,500 broilers (dry manure) 25,000 laying hens (dry) 16,500 turkeys CAFO Update Duty to Apply West Virginia CAFO Rule When will the rule take effect? Designated CAFO Any AFO may be designated as a CAFO by the Director of Water and Waste Management, no matter what the number of confined animals or the size of operation. Six steps the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection must take to designate an AFO a CAFO Must be a Significant contributor of pollution Inspection Size of operation Amount of waste reaching stream AFO location relative to stream Means of conveyance of waste to stream Slope, vegetation, rainfall, other relevant factors Pasture Based Cattle Operations Pasture Cattle Operations A pasture-based operation generally will not be required to obtain a permit. However, if the operation includes a confinement area, this part of the operation may be considered an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO). Confinement areas can include holding pens, calving areas and some feeding pads. Are You an AFO? Question 1: Does the animal confinement area or any area where the animals access feed or shelter sustain crops or forage growth during the growing season? AND Do these crop, grass, or forage residues remain during the winter months? YES: You are not an AFO. NO: Go to Question 2. Are You an AFO? (cont'd) Question 2: Are animals confined for more than 45 days during any 12-month period? NO: You are not an AFO. YES:You are an AFO. Tips to Avoid Becoming an AFO Do: Keep gates open and allow free access to pastures and rangeland. Do not: Confine animals for more than 45 days in a 12-month period. Allow animals to completely destroy vegetation in a lot or confined area that could be considered a confinement. Best Management Practices Best Management Practices (BMP’s) can help you avoid being designated as a CAFO Some BMP’s that help protect water quality are … Grass/Forest Buffers Riparian Buffers are areas of trees or grasses located adjacent to a body of water. Buffers filter sediment, organic matter, fertilizers, and other pollutants that may affect water quality. Off-Stream Watering Can be tanks, troughs or other containers. Protects and enhances vegetative cover. Provides erosion control through better grassland management. Protects streams, ponds and other water supplies from fecal contamination. Waste Storage Facility Temporarily stores waste such as manure and bedding until appropriate time to spread. Helps to utilize nutrients and protect water quality by not applying to frozen or snow covered ground. Prescribed Grazing Minimizes concentrated livestock areas. Maintains riparian vegetation and grass height. Manages manure deposits. Reduces soil loss. Stream Crossings Provide a hardened protected area for animals to cross streams. Protect streambanks. Limit animal access to sections of stream while providing a source of drinking water. Diversions Divert excess water from one area for use or safe disposal in other areas. Keep clean water away from areas of animal waste or bare soil to reduce impacts of nutrients or sediment. Nutrient Management Planning The objective of Nutrient Management Planning is to apply the proper amount of nutrients at the proper time to achieve the desired yield and minimize entry of nutrients into surface or groundwater supplies. What is A Nutrient Management Plan? A guide, for the farmer to follow that utilizes : the nutrients within animal waste and commercial fertilizer in a manner that supplies the crops nutritional needs protects the environment Components of a Nutrient Management Plan Record Keeping Crop Production Info: Past Crop Yields Crop Rotation Record Keeping Amount of manure applied per acre Record dates, times, weather info, any other important info Amount of manure leaving your operation. Who can provide technical assistance? Natural Resources Conservation Service West Virginia Conservation Agency West Virginia Department of Agriculture WVU Extension Service Any WV Certified Nutrient Management Planner West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Farm Bill Programs Environmental Quality Incentives Program Agricultural Management Assistance Program Conservation Reserve Program Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Wetlands Reserve Program Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program There may be state and local cost share programs available to support CAFO operators For more information WVDA – 304-538-2397 or 304-558-2201 WVCA – 304-558-2204 or your local District Office WV NRCS – Call your local field office WVU Extension – Call your local office WV DEP – 304-926-0499 Questions?