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Table 14. Comparison of USDA estimates of potential CAFOs derived from the 1997 Census of Agriculture* and estimates by EPA published in the Federal Register for four size classes defined by EPA.
1,000 EPA animal units 750 EPA animal units 500 EPA animal units 300 EPA animal units
EPA estimates USDA estimates USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates EPA estimates USDA estimates USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates EPA estimates USDA estimates USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates EPA estimates USDA estimates USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates
Cattle 2,080 1,969 94.7% 2,480 2,464 99.4% 3,080 3,420 111.0% 4,080 5,098 125.0%
Confined heifers 300 535 178.3% 420 626 149.0% 800 816 102.0% 1,050 1,125 107.1%
Veal 10 38 380.0% 40 47 117.5% 90 77 85.6% 210 132 62.9%
Dairy 1,450 1,469 101.3% 2,260 2,069 91.5% 3,760 3,424 91.1% 7,140 7,138 100.0%
All hogs and pigs 4,090 4,080 99.8% 5,760 5,649 98.1% 8,550 8,566 100.2% 14,370 14,229 99.0%
  Grow-finish 1,670 2,300 2,690 4,920
 Farrow-finish 2,420 3,460 5,860 9,450
All chickens 4,580 3,719 81.2% 9,240 6,375 69.0% 11,420 10,817 94.7% 16,190 16,097 99.4%
  Broilers 3,940 7,780 9,780 14,140
  Layers, wet 50 210 360 360
  Layers, dry 590 1,250 1,280 1,690
Turkeys 370 451 121.9% 740 711 96.1% 1,280 1,185 92.6% 2,100 2,051 97.7%
Sum over all types** 12,880 12,261 95.2% 20,940 17,941 85.7% 28,980 28,305 97.7% 45,140 45,870 101.6%
Total CAFOs 12,660 11,398 90.0% 19,100 16,897 88.5% 25,540 27,012 105.8% 39,320 44,366 112.8%
Adjustment for double counting* 220 863 1,840 1,044 3,440 1,293 5,820 1,504
* Information in the Census of Agriculture is not adequate to precisely identify a farm as a CAFO. Potential CAFOs were estimated based on the livestock type and the estimated number of animals on the farm.
** Farms that qualify as potential CAFOs for more than one livestock type are double counted when summed over livestock types.

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