In Ohio, CAFOs * are required to receive a Permit to Install from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA).  In Fall 1999 operators of Ohio’s 115 CAFOs received a survey concerning the permitting process.  Although the data is still being analyzed, preliminary results (65 respondents) indicate that Ohio CAFOs are family operated, represent less than 25% of livestock production in Ohio, are between 4 and 40 times larger than the average livestock operation and gross sales of over $1.2 million annually.  On average, application processing required 137 days.  Compared to those submitting incomplete applications, those with completed applications experienced fewer requests for additional information, more OEPA contacts before submitting the application and fewer OEPA contacts after submitting it.

The survey also addressed manure handling practices.  While the majority (69%) of applicants did not change manure storage facilities to obtain a permit, others had to install a special facility or expand an existing one.  Of the manure generated, the majority (72%) is applied to owned or rented farmland or moved off-farm with the remaining being processed before transport.  To receive permits, over 57% of the CAFOs formalized agreements to utilize or transport manure.  The OEPA also requested special conditions from 34% of the CAFOs including machinery and equipment (average cost - $10,000); time, labor and consulting ($12,000); and other management or structural changes ($20,000).  Approximately 56% negotiated of these special conditions with the OEPA. Of those surveyed, 71% recommended changing the permitting process in some way.

* CAFO -Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation.  These farms have more than 1,000 animal units, e.g., 700 mature dairy cattle, 2,500 swine each weighing more than 55 lbs., 100,000 laying hens, etc.