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Confined Animal Feeding Operation_COWS

Animal Waste - Colorado

NRCS works with farmers and ranchers to effectively manage animal waste, not only to keep it out of America's rivers and streams, but also to turn it into a useful commodity.

FY25 Ranking Information 

CO FY25 Animal Waste Management.pdf (325.8 KB)

Animal Feeding Operations/Confined Animal Feeding Operations (AFO/CAFO) operations can apply for EQIP financial assistance for the storage, treatment, and utilization of animal waste. This is a statewide process to address the water quality impacts of these operations to the rivers and streams of the state.

These funds will be available only to existing and expanding beef, dairy, swine, or poultry confined feeding operations. A lower priority will be given to operations that are planning expansion beyond current levels or capacity, and all applications for new facilities and poultry operations are ineligible for evaluation under the Statewide AFO/CAFO Resource Concern Criteria.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, but only those received by the application ranking cut-off will be considered for the initial selections.  Funding selections will be made exclusively from those applications received.

Eligible Practices 

The list of eligible conservation practices for the statewide AFO/CAFO resource concerns is limited to the following with the same payment rates as the current statewide EQIP practice payment rates.

  • 102 - Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan-written (CNMP)
  • 313 - Waste Storage Facility
  • 316 - Animal Mortality Facility
  • 342 - Critical Area Planting
  • 359 - Waste Treatment Lagoon
  • 360 - Closure of Waste Impoundments
  • 362 - Diversion
  • 367 - Roofs and Covers
  • 375 - Dust Control from Animal Activity on Open Lot Surfaces
  • 380 - Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
  • 386 - Field Border
  • 391 - Riparian Forest Buffer
  • 393 - Filter Strip
  • 410 - Grade Stabilization Structure
  • 412 - Grassed Waterway
  • 442 - Irrigation Sprinkler
  • 468 - Lined Waterway Outlet
  • 521A - Pond Sealing & Lining, Flexible membrane
  • 521D - Pond Sealing & Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment
  • 533 - Pumping Plant*
  • 558 - Roof Runoff Structures
  • 561 - Heavy Use Area Protection
  • 590 - Nutrient Management
  • 634 - Waste Transfer