Updated: 02/12/2008

Animal Feeding Operations

The NRCS objective in working with Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) is to help AFO owners and operators to achieve their production and natural resource conservation goals through development and implementation of comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs). Each CNMP includes the following characteristics:

• A subset of a conservation plan that is unique to the animal feeding operation.
• Combines management activities and practices into an integrated system.
• Site specific.
• Voluntary.
• Focuses on nutrient and sediment aspects of water quality.

Additional Information

• Principles of Collaboration, Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations, Cost and Capability Assessment, May 10, 2001
• Principles of Collaboration, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, July 25, 2001
• Statement of Involvement, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Interactions on the Proposed Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulation and Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (40 CFR Parts 122 and 412), November 23, 2001
• Statement of Involvement and Collaboration, USEPA and USDA, Collaborative Cost and Capability Assessment, November 23, 2001
• Statement of USDA Involvement, USEPA and USDA, Interactions on the Total Maximum Daily Load Public Listening Sessions, November 23, 2001
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s New Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Rule, Information, and Brochures
• Financial and Technical Assistance Available to CAFO Owners and Operators (20 KB)
• Costs Associated with Development and Implementation of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP): Part I - Nutrient Management, Land Treatment, Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage, and Recordkeeping (published June, 2003)

Statement of Involvement (141.2 KB)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Interactions on the Implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (40 CFR Parts 122 and 412), May 16, 2003.

Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship (LPES)

• CAFO Fact Sheets
  These CAFO Fact Sheets are a collection of 24 publications that address questions that educators and producers are most likely to have about what the CAFO regulations mean, how they will affect livestock and poultry production facilities, and what producers must do to comply with the regulations. (August 2003)
• Curriculum for Producers and Advisors - Midwest Plan Service (MWPSH)
  Provides LPES lesson materials through its online catalog or by calling 800-562-3618. Materials include a searchable CD containing 26 lessons in PDF format files and PowerPoint presentations; a 2-CD set of PageMaker and graphic image and illustration files for all lessons; and printed lessons suitable for a 3-ring binder.

National Animal Agriculture Conservation Framework (NAACF)

These documents are available in Adobe Acrobat.

National Animal Agriculture Conservation Framework, Final, December 2003 (657 KB)

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP)

NRCS CNMP Policy

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Technical Guidance (CNMP), National Planning Procedures Handbook, Part 600.5

NRCS CNMP Technical Guidance Documents

These documents are available in Adobe Acrobat.

CNMP Technical Guidance - Spanish Translation (19.8 KB)
CNMP Fact Sheet (131.2 KB)
CNMP Training Opportunities (129.2 KB)
Assistance Available from Technical Service Providers (72.4 KB)

Program Contact

John Davis, Natural Resource Specialist, 301-504-2225