Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) & Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)
It’s not a pretty topic, but it’s part of the job — animal waste (AKA litter or nutrients) has to be managed properly to protect Alabama’s natural resources. Owners of Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), such as a stockyard or chicken house, are required to adhere to certain rules and regulations enforced by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). Farmers are required to submit a comprehensive nutrient management plan that describes, in great detail, their operation and plan to manage animal waste.
Collecting the information and navigating through the regulations can be tedious. That’s where Alabama conservation districts come in. In at least 44 counties where these operations exist, our district administrative coordinators (DACs) work directly with farmers to ensure the necessary information is collected and reported to ADEM.
If you would like assistance with your AFO/CAFO, contact your local conservation district.
Are you an AFO or CAFO Operation?
AFO (Animal Feeding Operations)
- Defined as any lot or facility where any number of animals (need not be the same type) have been, are, or will be stabled, confined, gathered, or concentrated and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days (does not need be consecutive) or more in any 12-month period (does not have to be calendar year), and the animal confinement areas do not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues.
- Two or more AFOs under common ownership are considered a single AFO and may require CAFO registration if they adjoin or are in close proximity to each other.
- Producer can choose to register separately or together if they are operated as a single operation, if they use a common area or system for the disposal of wastes, if they significantly share resources, storage or treatment systems, equipment, etc., or if they otherwise link operations.
- Animal units must be below CAFO standards for number of animal units
- AFOs do not have to register*, however, they still must meet the same standards for nonpolluting waste management as CAFOs, including having a Waste Management Plan (CNMP) to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) protective of water quality, maintain records adequate to document the operation meets or exceeds NRCS standards, and ensure their operation does not require CAFO registration.
* AFOs are required to register if the facility had a pollutant discharge after April 1, 1999 or the facility is found to not be meeting NRCS technical standards and guidelines.
All ADEM registrants are required to create an account profile in ADEM’s Web Portal, including providing a valid email address for correspondences, to register and/or renew registrations. ADEM will no longer accept registrations or renewals without an account.
You must verify your account via email at the end of the set up process to complete activation of your account
CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations)
- Any AFO over the threshold of animal units or having a pollutant discharge after April 1, 1999
- Defined according to the number and type of animals
- More than 500 horses; 700 mature dairy cattle (milked or dry); 1,000 confined slaughter or feeder cattle; 2,500 swine (approx. weight at least 55 pounds); 5,000 ducks; 10,000 sheep or lambs; 55,000 turkeys; 125,000 laying hens, broilers or other poultry; or 1,000 animal units
- The most common CAFOs in Alabama are poultry operations
