Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Background

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In just the past 20 years, there has been dramatic change in animal agricultural production in Missouri and the United States. These changes have included a significant increase in the overall size of individual operations, an increase in the number of animals raised per operation and a shift towards raising poultry and certain livestock within production barns. Concentrated animal feeding operations, frequently referred to as CAFOs, are large animal agricultural facilities that raise a specific number of animals in production barns or confinement pens. 

The development and implementation of technology along with specialized production systems over the years has led to remarkable production efficiencies in raising animals, and has given farmers the capability of achieving precise control and management of animal manure and other farm- based nutrients as a fertilizer source on farm land.

Modern agricultural systems, including CAFOs, can help reduce the overall environmental impact of livestock and poultry production facilities. New technologies and modern waste-management systems help ensure animal waste is properly managed, providing a safe, reliable fertilizer source for farming operations. Proper waste management protects the environment and ultimately makes a farm more productive.

CAFO Permitting

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Missouri's CAFO laws and regulations are designed to minimize these risks and are important for the long term protection of the environment.  Laws and regulations are also important to preserve and maintain a strong and profitable agricultural industry for generations to come.  Protecting the environment and the agricultural industry is a shared responsibility and doing so may have a positive impact on the environment, our food supply and local and state economies.

Ariel photo of farm

At the state level, water quality is protected through the department’s permit application and approval process.  Water pollution construction and operating permits are a requirement for all size and types of CAFOs.  These permits typically have a list of very specific and stringent requirements to follow and operations are expected to keep detailed records of farm related activities and submit them to the state agency for review each year.   In addition, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has developed stringent state technical standards that CAFOs must follow and relate to the handling and land application of animal manure.



 

Recent Changes

Senate Bill 391 was signed into law by the Governor on May 31, 2019 and modified state provisions related to agricultural operations. Some of these changes affect regulated CAFOs:

  1. No construction on a new or expanded facility shall commence until the Department has issued an operating permit to the owner or operator of such facility .
  2. Notification of the proposed new or expanded CAFO must be provided to all neighbors within three times the buffer distance (was previously one and one-half times).  Notice must be provided to all neighbors within 9,000 feet of a Class IA CAFO, within 6,000 feet of a Class IB CAFO, and within 3,000 feet of a Class IC CAFO.
  3. All liquified manure from a CAFO that is sold or given to a third party and is surface-applied must meet application setbacks established in the law.

Maps, Publications, Fact Sheets and other information

General CAFO Permits

Permitting Resources

CAFO Statutes and Regulations

Weather Related Websites

CAFO Related Websites

Other Relevant Websites

Issued Permit Information

Current New or Expanded Facility Applications

Permit Applications of Public Interest