CSIF Tips of the Month – March 2013

03-04-2013 in Through The Gate

Rules and Regs Highlight

Master Matrix adopted by most Iowa counties 

In January, 88 counties announced that they plan to evaluate applications for construction permits and proposed locations for animal confinements by using the master matrix.

The matrix affects only farms that must get a construction permit. Generally, these include proposed construction, expansion or modification of confinement feeding operations with more than 2,500 finishing hogs, 1,000 beef cattle or 715 mature dairy cows.

To meet the requirements of the master matrix, farmers must earn points by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.

The only counties that will not be using the matrix are: Decatur, Des Moines, Iowa, Keokuk, Lee, Mahaska, Osceola, Plymouth, Wapello, Warren and Washington.

Map of counties that do/do not use the matrix

More information on the master matrix

Siting Tip

Multiple Species, Same Farm: What You Need To Be Aware Of

Many Iowa farms are looking at ways to diversify to better manage risk. Raising more than one species of livestock can be an effective way to add diversification. However, when you start adding diversification on the same site, or close-by, there are some permitting requirements to be aware of.

Under Iowa law, for the purpose of new construction permitting, all animal units in the same production practice need to be counted together.

For example, if you currently have a 2,400-head confinement hog barn and are considering building a 600-head cattle confinement barn, you need to count the animal units from both confinements together. The total animal units will then determine which separation distances and permitting requirements need to be met for the proposed confinement.

In this case, the total animal units (AU) would be 1,560 (2,400-head of hogs is 960 AU and 600-head of cattle is 600 AU). The proposed cattle confinement would need to meet the separation distances and permitting requirements for a confinement feeding operation between 1,000 and less than 3,000 animal units.

For more specific information or further clarification, contact the Coalition at 800-932-2436 or visit www.supportfarmers.com.

Quote of the Month

“We turned to the Coalition to help get our start in farming,” says Beau Hindman, who recently built a hog barn with his brother Traye in Hardin County. “After attending the Farming for the Future conference, we realized that the Coalition could help us grow our farm responsibly in many ways,” adds Traye. “From siting our new hog barn to helping interpret rules and regulations, the CSIF team has been a huge help saving us time and money.”

To hear more from the Hindman’s, click here.

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