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Do I Qualify as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation?

CAFO definitions, coverage limitations, authorization process for CAFO general permits.

What is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation?

An animal feeding operation (AFO) is a lot or facility, other than an aquatic animal production facility, where animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and in which the animal confinement areas do not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.

When Do I Need a Permit?

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The type and number of animals on site determine how an AFO is categorized under the rules:

Large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)

An AFO with the number of animals in the following table, is considered a large CAFO and must obtain written authorization from the TCEQ.

HEAD ANIMAL TYPE
1,000 veal calves and cattle other than mature dairy cattle
700 mature dairy cattle (whether milking or dry cows)
2,500 swine weighing 55 pounds or more
10,000 swine weighing less than 55 pounds
5,000 ducks (liquid manure handling system)
30,000 ducks (not using liquid manure handling system)
500 horses
10,000 sheep or lambs
55,000 turkeys
82,000 laying hens (not using liquid manure handling system)
30,000 laying hens or broilers (liquid manure handling system)
125,000 chickens (other than laying hens, if not using liquid waste handling system)

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Medium CAFO

An AFO located in the Dairy Outreach Program Area (Bosque, Comanche, Erath, Hamilton, Hopkins, Johnson, Rains and Wood Counties) with the number of animals in the following table is considered a medium CAFO. All medium CAFOs in these counties must obtain written authorization from the TCEQ.

HEAD ANIMAL TYPE
300 to 999 veal calves and cattle other than mature dairy cattle
200 to 699 mature dairy cattle (whether milking or dry cows)
750 to 2,499 swine weighing 55 pounds or more
3,000 to 9,999 swine weighing less than 55 pounds
10,000 to 29,999 ducks (not using liquid manure handling system)
1,500 to 4,999 ducks (liquid manure handling system)
150 to 499 horses
3,000 to 9,999 sheep or lambs
16,500 to 54,999 turkeys
25,000 to 81,999 laying hens (not using liquid manure handling system)
9,000 to 29,999 laying hens or broilers (liquid manure handling system)
37,500 to 124,999 chickens (other than laying hens, if not using liquid waste handling system)

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Small CAFO

AFO may be designated a small CAFO by the executive director because it is a significant contributor of pollutants into or adjacent to water in the state. Any AFO that is designated a small CAFO must obtain written authorization from the TCEQ.

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Other Animal Feeding Operations

AFOs that are not defined or designated as CAFOs are authorized under the permit by rule found in 30 TAC Chapter 321.47 . If you are an AFO but not a CAFO, you must submit a notification form TCEQ - 20280Microsoft Word Document and comply with the permit by rule. If you need technical assistance with your AFO, contact the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) or the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

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Types of CAFO Water Quality Permits

If your CAFOs must obtain written authorization from the TCEQ you may qualify for a general permit (HTML) or you may need to obtain an individual permit (HTML).

If you have questions, please see our Contact Page or e-mail us at CAFO@tceq.texas.gov.

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