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Small Farms

Barnyard and Open Lot Management on Small Farms

Uncontrolled runoff from barnyards and open lots can contain nutrients and manure. If allowed to enter nearby surface water like streams and ponds it can cause significant harm. It is the responsibility of every livestock producer to control and manage runoff from their farm.

Any size or type of operation that confines animals to an open lot can be regulated by EPA or the state regulatory authority if it meets certain criteria (see When am I regulated?). Just because an operation is small, does not mean that it is exempt. US EPA regulation changes in 2004 removed any size exclusions that any states may have afforded.

What Regulations Apply to Small Farms?

Basically, anywhere that animals are fenced, vegetation (or crop residue) is not present in the winter months, and if that area can impact surface water (streams, ponds, waterways, etc.), then the area could be subject to regulatory scrutiny.

For small farms, they must first determine if they meet the definition of an AFO. If not, they are considered a "pasture based operation." If the operation meets the definition of an AFO, then they must determine if they meet the definition of a CAFO(small or medium). This determination is a function of size and connection to surface water resources. There are times when a pasture based operation may be subject to regulation.

Does my operation have a connection with surface water?

The first thing to understand is that pollution risk is a function of the ability of runoff from your operation to reach surface water. When open lot runoff carrying manure nutrients, is on your farm is a resource, once it leaves your property, it is a pollutant. Regulators and environmental groups look for a connection between animals and where that water ends up, in determining whether a farm is polluting or has the potential to pollute.

Does barnyard or open lot runoff leave the property, and could it get to a nearby stream, pond, lake, or wetland? In many states road ditches and waterways are considered surface water. If this is the case, then steps need to be taken to mitigate the pollution risk. There are many simple things that can be done, and practical and economical options for small operations.

What Can I do to Improve my situation?

Runoff caused by rain wastes away manure in open air production areas. This situation represents one of the most difficult challenges for small farms. Any time runoff contacts manure, all of that water is considered polluted.

There are six steps to reducing a livestock operations runoff risk, you can evalute your operation by asking yourself these six questions:

1. Do I NEED all the lot space that I have on my small farm?
   
2. Could I divert water around my lots on my small farm?
   
3. What would happen if I kept my lots cleaner on my small farm?
   
4. Do I need to control the barnyard or lot runoff on my small farm?
   
5. Am I managing my manure nutrients on my small farm?
   
6. Am I doing all I can to protect the drinking water on my small farm?

Page developed and maintained by: Chris Henry, University of Nebraska Extension