New Publication Helps Develop a Better Understanding of Rules, Permits &
Plans Required of Livestock Farms
To help develop a better understanding of the types of regulations, permits and plans that may be
required of livestock farms, the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) has developed a new
publication, “Guidelines for Livestock Operations,” which contains valuable information
pertaining to water resources, livestock programs, regulatory authority, financial assistance
programs, strategies and tips, federal and state incentive programs, resource concerns, contact
information and industry terminology.
“As livestock, dairy and poultry farms continue to grow and change, farmers, neighbors, local
officials, the media and other interested parties and stakeholders often have many questions and
concerns that need to be addressed,” said David White, OLC executive director, in explaining the
concept that led to the development of the publication. “Clean water is important to every citizen
of Ohio, and since ground water and the water in nearby streams can be affected by nutrients
applied to the soil, it’s important that everyone understand the vital role livestock production
practices play in keeping water clean.”
A similar booklet, “Guidelines for Livestock Producers,” was originally developed in 1995, and
it served as the foundation for creating the new publication that reflects four major changes that
have occurred during the past eight years:

The passage of Senate Bill 141 in December 2000 and the subsequent transfer of most of
the regulatory and permitting authority for large livestock farms from the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) to the Ohio Department of Agriculture
(ODA) in August 2002.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) new rules for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that became effective in April 2003.

The passage of House Bill 152 in August 2003.
Developed by the OLC in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division
of Soil & Water Conservation, ODA’s Livestock Environmental Permitting Program, Ohio EPA
Division of Surface Water, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service and Ohio State University Extension, a copy of “Guidelines for Livestock
Operations” may be obtained by logging onto OLC’s website at www.OhioLivestock.org and
clicking on the publications link, or by contacting the OLC office at dwhite@ofbf.org or (614)
246-8288.