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NRCS Programs and Initiatives - Points and Positions

AFO/CAFO Talking Points

 Interview with Shae Dodson of KSIR Radio -  May 12, 2003

1.   NRCS has AFO/CAFO financial assistance through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which provides better opportunities for funding livestock waste management plans

2.   Confined livestock feeding operation means an animal feeding operation that stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period and does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues in the normal growing season over any portion of the confined area.

3.   The Purpose of providing funding to animal feeding operation systems through NRCS’ EQIP Program is to provide incentives to adopt CNMP that assure compliance with current and future regulations.  

4.   AFO/CAFO Funding was made available through the 1996 Farm Bill and continues in the 2002 Bill with some significant changes.  They are as follows:

•          Maximum payment increased to $450,000

•          Size limit eliminated

•          Applications are ranked with no consideration for
      cost  (eliminates competitive bidding)

•          A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan
     (CNMP) is required

5.   Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) means a conservation system that is unique to an animal feeding operation (AFO). A CNMP is a grouping of conservation practices and management activities which, when implemented as part of a conservation system, will help to ensure that both production and natural resource protection goals are achieved. A CNMP incorporates practices to use animal manure and organic by-products as a beneficial resource. A CNMP addresses natural resource concerns dealing with soil erosion, manure, and organic by- products and their potential impacts on all natural resources including water and air quality, which may derive from an AFO. And contain the following six elements:

•          Manure & Wastewater Facilities  Plan

•          Feed Management Plan

•          Land Treatment Plan

•          Land Application Plan

•          Other Utilization Activities

•           Record Keeping 

6.    NRCS distributes EQIP funds through a watershed natural resource concern approach.

7.     Watershed allocation is based on resources needs including:

  • Acres Eroding Above T

  • Water Quality/Quantity (acres needing treatment)

  • Grazing Lands (acres needing treatment)

  • Number of Animal Feeding Operations

  • Wildlife

8.   There is a potential for a total of $5 -$6 million to be allocated to AFOs between ‘03-’06 with current allocation strategy (watershed approach).

9.   Estimate $15-$20 million needed for compliance

10. Applications to determine eligibility and receive EQIP AFO funding is determined by

  • All applications received by March 1 are prioritized by a ranking system.

  • The local average cost list is used to develop the contract amount.

  • Applications are accepted based on rank & available funds, by issue.

  • From draft 2003 EQIP rules: Cost Share Rates Should Not Exceed 50%

10. Certified individuals must approve a CNMP and they include:

• NRCS Staff & Other Agencies

•  Consultants / Technical Service Providers (TSPs)

•  CNMPs Requires 100 - 120 hours per plan

11. NRCS may not be able to provide timely assistance to successful applicants.  TSPs Are Needed!

12. TSPs are certified to provide technical assistance on behalf of USDA for farm bill programs.