Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

The STAPPA/ALAPCO Agriculture Committee is investigating the availability of information, including "best management practices" (BMPs), related to controlling air pollution emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The goal is to provide state and local air agencies with a comprehensive information resource, including BMPs, for CAFOs. The following information and resources were suggested by Committee members and/or identified through Web searches. If you know of other sources of information on CAFOs, please contact Amy Royden of STAPPA/ALAPCO via e-mail (aroyden@4cleanair.org) or phone (202/624-7864).

General Information/Links

• Animal Confinement Policy National Task Force -- 1998 National Survey of Animal Confinement Policies web resource providing general web links information for people interested in animal agriculture and environment.

• U.S.D.A. National Agriculture Library -- This on-line resource provides comprehensive information and library resources for the broad array of agricultural activities. Of particular utility is the "Search NAL Web Site" button on the homepage, which allows users to enter keywords (e.g., "best management practices")

• U.S.D.A.- EPA Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations (3/9/99) -- presents joint plan for addressing water quality and public health impacts associated with AFOs. For example, Guiding Principles include: "#1. - Minimize water quality and public health impacts from AFOs." The plan also provides: "While the strategy focuses on addressing surface and ground water quality problems, other environmental impacts such as ground water depletion, habitat loss and dust will receive indirect benefit from implementation of this Strategy."

• U.S.D.A. Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service - FY 2000-2001 Annual Performance Plan -- contained in the CSREES annual performance plan is Goal 4 (To achieve greater harmony between agriculture and the environment), Objective 4.2 (To enhance the stewardship of natural resources to minimize negative environmental consequences on agricultural production), and Indicators 4.2.1 (Develop management systems that can alter levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases).

• USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Force - Air Quality Research and Technology Transfer White Paper and Recommendations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (July 19, 2000) - comprehensive report on CAFOs by federal task force.

• USDA Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook -- provided by the Soil Conservation Service, this on-line handbook includes comprehensive regulatory information about agricultural waste management, including "Agricultural Wastes and Water, Air, and Animal Resources" coverage.

• EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance - Ag Center - EPA web site providing enforcement and compliance information related to various agricultural sectors and activities, including CAFOs and BMPs.

• U.S.D.A. Waste Management System -- this guidance by the Natural Resources Conservation Service outlines the federal government's policy on managing waste on federal lands, including waste generated by agricultural production or processing, in a manner that does not degrade air, soil or water resources.

• Congressional Research Service - Agriculture: Prospective Issues for the 107th Congress (January 29, 2001) - CRS report highlighting various agriculture issues likely to be addressed by Congress in the current session, including CAFOs. Includes links to other related CRS reports.

• North Carolina/EPA Report: Review of Emission Factors and Methodologies to Estimate Ammonia Emissions from Waste Handling (April 2002)

• Iowa Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Air Quality Study  (February 2002) -- This study by the Iowa State University and The University of Iowa Study Group examines the evidence linking CAFO emissions to harm of human health. It recommends that hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and odors be regulated, including by developing ambient air quality standards. It also makes some recommendations for reducing emissions from CAFOs.

• Texas Agriculture Program - Provided by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, this web site provides comprehensive CAFO information, including permitting, pollution prevention, BMPs and links to CAFO resources.

• Feedlots in Minnesota - provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, this web resource includes comprehensive information related to animal feeding operations, including state feedlot rules, rule history, registration forms, fact sheets, reports (including comprehensive report on feedlot air emissions and air quality), training opportunities and related links.

• Minnesota Manure and Odor Education & Research -- provided by the University of Minnesota & University of Minnesota Extension Service, contains technical and regulatory information related to animal feeding operations, including control technologies (odor), regulations and programs and a comprehensive set of links to other on-line sources of related information.

• Managing Odors from Swine Waste in Minnesota -- provided by the University of Minnesota Extension Program, this web resource provides information on buildings and facilities, outside storage systems and land applications.

• IMMAG (Iowa Manure Management Action Group) -- provided by Iowa State University, this web resource provides comprehensive technical and regulatory information related to animal feeding operations.

• North Carolina Animal Waste Initiative -- provided by North Carolina State University, this site provides information about CAFO rule development.

• North Carolina Swine Odor Task Force - Options for Managing Odor - published by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service (NC State Univ.), this web resource provides general information about controlling odors at swine feeding operations, including suggested practices.

• Sizing Swine Lagoons For Odor Control in Alabama -- provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, this web resource provides details about odor controls at swine lagoons, including design values and probabilities of odor detection.

• Oregon Confined Animal Feeding Operation Program -- provided by the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Division, this web site provides detailed information about the state's CAFO program.

• Factory Farm Primer -- provided by the Ohio Environmental Council, this web site includes information on citizen enforcement of CAFOs, frequently asked questions, important phone numbers and websites, federal guidance for factory farms and news from other states.

• Sources of Information on Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Ohio

  Jim Bennett, Darke County USDA, NRCS; (937) 548-1715 (Conservation Office) Following is a list of many of the BMPs that NRCS has developed: 1) Manure Storage Structures; 2) No-Till Farming; 3) Anaerobic Lagoons; 4) Holding Ponds; 5) Settling Basins; 6) Dry Stack Manure Storage; 7) Grass Filter Strips; and 8) Soil erosion practices.

  Alice Walters, Ohio Poultry Association, (614) 882-6111, oassoci508@aol.com Information on Ohio's poultry BMPs, Livestock Environmental Assurance Program (LEAP) and Egg Quality Assurance Program.

  Steve Foster, Darke Cnty Extension Agent, (937) 548-5215, foster.99@osu.edu Resource for manure management and mortality composting BMPs, Bulletin 604 (manure management) and Mortality Composting Handbook (2000 edition).

Industry/Other Organizations