Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is a term that was first coined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to describe animal agricultural facilities that have a potential pollution profile. The EPA defines a CAFO as an animal feeding operation (AFO) that (a) confines animals for more than 45 days during a growing season, (b) in an area that does not produce vegetation, and (c) meets certain size thresholds.

CAFO Manure Spreading
A common disposal practice for concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) manures is to spread this material on agricultural fields as a soil amendment. The EPA is concerned about the cleanliness of this practice. There is also concern that regulations do not sufficiently restrict pathogen exposure, and that Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) present in the solid contaminate the environment as runoff and groundwater infiltration.

Animal Feeding Operation
The EPA defines Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) as "agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland,"

Regulations
On Dec. 15th, 2002, the EPA Administrator signed revisions to the regulations for large CAFOs