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FAQ #29973

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What is a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)?

Related resource areas: Animal Manure Management


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A concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) is an animal feeding operation (AFO) (refer to FAQ 27108 for definition of an AFO) that is required by the Clean Water Act to maintain a National Pollutions Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. An AFO can be defined as:
• a large CAFO based strictly on size,
• a medium CAFO based on size and the risk of manure-contaminated water reaching waters of the United States, or
• a small CAFO designated by the permitting authority.

A decision process used for determining CAFOs is illustrated in the CAFO Fact Sheet “Do I Need an NPDES for my Livestock or Poultry Operations?”

Author: Rick Koelsch, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska

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