Colorado Ag Regulations

Agriculture regulations can be broke into two very broad categories.

Livestock Regulations Livestock Regulations Livestock regulations deal with the removal and application of animal feces. Livestock regulations deal with the removal and application of animal feces. Farm/Chemical Regulations Farm/Chemical Regulations Farm chemical regulations deal with the application and storage of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides. Farm chemical regulations deal with the application and storage of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides.

How do I if my operation is required to follow these regulations? Livestock Livestock AFO (Animal Feeding Operations) AFO (Animal Feeding Operations) A confined animal operation that produces meat, milk, or eggs. A confined animal operation that produces meat, milk, or eggs. Animals are confined for more than 45 days in 12 months Animals are confined for more than 45 days in 12 months Crop ground is not sustained in the area of production Crop ground is not sustained in the area of production All AFO’s that are located near a water source that may be used for human consumption are considered a CAFO All AFO’s that are located near a water source that may be used for human consumption are considered a CAFO

Livestock Continued CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) A confined animal operation that produces meat, milk, or eggs A confined animal operation that produces meat, milk, or eggs They house more than: They house more than: 1,000 feeder cattle 1,000 feeder cattle 700 mature dairy cattle(dry or milking) 700 mature dairy cattle(dry or milking) 2,500 feeder swine ( over 55 pounds) 2,500 feeder swine ( over 55 pounds) 500 horses 500 horses 10,000 sheep or lambs 10,000 sheep or lambs 55,000 turkys 55,000 turkys 100,000 laying hens 100,000 laying hens

What are the requirements for AFO’s and CAFO’s? AFO’s AFO’s Protect surface water, groundwater, and soil resources through best management practices Protect surface water, groundwater, and soil resources through best management practices Best Management Practices Best Management Practices using adequate manure and wastewater storage using adequate manure and wastewater storage using efficient land application practices using efficient land application practices

Requirements cont. CAFO’s CAFO’s Prohibited from discharging manure or wastewater in to any Colorado waters Prohibited from discharging manure or wastewater in to any Colorado waters Manure- includes litter, bedding, and waste feed Manure- includes litter, bedding, and waste feed The only exception to this law is a 25-year, 24-hour storm The only exception to this law is a 25-year, 24-hour storm Management practices should include: Management practices should include: earthen storage structures made of low permeable materials (clay): ex. Lagoon earthen storage structures made of low permeable materials (clay): ex. Lagoon formed storage tanks made of wood, steel, or concrete formed storage tanks made of wood, steel, or concrete

Land Application of Manure Any new facility that plans on applying manure must submit a land application plan Any new facility that plans on applying manure must submit a land application plan Application rate should not exceed the soil infiltration rate Application rate should not exceed the soil infiltration rate There should be no application of manure when the ground is frozen, full saturated, or during rainfall, if the application site may result in runoff into a waterway There should be no application of manure when the ground is frozen, full saturated, or during rainfall, if the application site may result in runoff into a waterway

Farm/Chemical Colorado regulates the registration, labeling, transportation, distribution, storage, commercial application, and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers. Colorado regulates the registration, labeling, transportation, distribution, storage, commercial application, and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers. This regulation is done through three acts: the Pesticide Act, the Pesticide Applicators’ Act, and the Colorado Chemigation Act This regulation is done through three acts: the Pesticide Act, the Pesticide Applicators’ Act, and the Colorado Chemigation Act

Colorado Pesticide Act Regulates the registration, labeling, transportation, distribution, storage, use, and disposal of pesticides Regulates the registration, labeling, transportation, distribution, storage, use, and disposal of pesticides All pesticides and pesticide devices must be registered All pesticides and pesticide devices must be registered A restricted-use pesticide dealer must obtain a pesticide dealer license A restricted-use pesticide dealer must obtain a pesticide dealer license Producers who limit their handling of pesticides to field mixing and loading do not need to be concerned with the rules that deal with pesticide storage facilities Producers who limit their handling of pesticides to field mixing and loading do not need to be concerned with the rules that deal with pesticide storage facilities

Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s Act Regulates the persons that apply pesticides Regulates the persons that apply pesticides There are several different classifications There are several different classifications Commercial Applicator-business is applying pesticides, must keep 3 years of specific records Commercial Applicator-business is applying pesticides, must keep 3 years of specific records Limited commercial applicator-applies chemicals on their own land or that land of their employer, not required to have a license, but must keep 3 year of records Limited commercial applicator-applies chemicals on their own land or that land of their employer, not required to have a license, but must keep 3 year of records  These regulations do not apply to a person who is applying pesticides for the production of agricultural products on his/her own or rent property, or someone who is an employee of that person

Colorado Chemigation Act Chemigation is a type of irrigation that incorporates chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides) by mixing water with these chemicals in a closed irrigation system. Chemigation is a type of irrigation that incorporates chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides) by mixing water with these chemicals in a closed irrigation system. A closed irrigation system is a combination of devices such as pipe, hose, or other conduit that directly attaches to the ground water or surface water source A closed irrigation system is a combination of devices such as pipe, hose, or other conduit that directly attaches to the ground water or surface water source An agriculture producer is required to obtain a permit for this type of irrigation and application system An agriculture producer is required to obtain a permit for this type of irrigation and application system

Nonpoint Source Pollution A result of a rainfall or snow melting event that picks up and carries away pollutants A result of a rainfall or snow melting event that picks up and carries away pollutants This pollution may end up in a Colorado waterway This pollution may end up in a Colorado waterway

Summary You should be more familiar with laws that are required for agriculture producers in regards to the environment You should be more familiar with laws that are required for agriculture producers in regards to the environment