Note: This article first appeared in the October 2018 issue of The New Foothill Rancher and The New Ranch Update newsletters. You can subscribe to these quarterly newsletters here!

In an order adopted last year, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted a new regulatory program for “confined bovine feeding operations.” To quote the Order:

“'Confined Bovine Feeding Operation' means commercial operations where cattle (cows, bulls, steers, heifers, or calves) representing 6 or more Animal Units (AU) [for purposes of this order, 1 animal unit equals 1000 pounds of animal weight] are confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and where vegetation is not sustained over a majority of the confinement area during the normal growing season.”

Sounds serious, right?! Fortunately, the Order provides further clarification:

“Confined Bovine Feeding Operations do not include operations where animals primarily graze on pasture or rangeland, including any corrals that are an integral part of the grazing or pasture operation. However, corrals or other confinement areas used to finish cattle for slaughter at a grazing operation are considered Confined Bovine Feeding Operations requiring coverage under this Order.”

In plain English, what does all of this mean for ranchers in Placer, Nevada, Sutter and Yuba Counties?

• If you are not feeding cattle in a confined area to prepare them for harvest, you are not subject to the requirements of this order.
• If you do periodically feed cattle in your corrals or in a holding pen without vegetation, make sure the cattle have access to pastures. In other words, leave the gate to the pasture open!
• Winter or temporary lots on your ranch are exempt (unless you are using the lot for finishing cattle).

The Order also includes separate tiers for Limited Time and Limited Population Operations (which are considered to be a low threat to water quality). A Limited Time Operation houses cattle for fewer than 24 days per calendar month. A Limited Population Operation houses between 6 and 99 Animal Units. These tiers include additional requirements for handling manure and containing storm water runoff. Finally, even if your operation falls under these regulations, your fees will be based on the number of animals in your facility. Currently, confined feeding operations with fewer than 100 cow/calf pairs, 300 calves, or 100 finishing steers/heifers are not assessed any fees.

If you have questions about whether this Order applies to your operation, contact me at dmacon@ucanr.edu or (530) 889-7385.