Livestock farmers urged to prepare for inspections

As spring fieldwork and other activity picks up on Iowa farms, livestock farmers­ are encouraged to review their operations and ensure compliance with environmental regulations ahead of potential inspections.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have already been conducting inspections in parts of Iowa, which are expected to continue throughout May, says Brian Waddingham, executive director of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF).

"Northeast Iowa is the hot spot for inspections, both from DNR and EPA," he said. "EPA was in the state the week of April 20 inspecting open feedlots and dairies, and we know that EPA will be back in May. If you're in northeast or southeast Iowa, we would definitely recommend having somebody come out and provide a second set of eyes to make sure you would pass an inspection."

CSIF provides free, confidential farm visits and pre-inspection assessments.

"We can walk the farm with them … just making sure all the rules and regulations are being met," said Waddingham, noting that livestock farms are subject to more than 250 pages of rules and regulations. Some rules have changed recently, so it's important to stay on top of regulations, he added.

"If you haven't had the Coalition out to your farm for a few years, then odds are the rules have changed. It's never a bad idea to give us a call," said Waddingham. "We've been on enough inspections where we kind of know what the inspector is looking for, so we can take a look at those things … so if you ever do have an environmental inspection, you'll feel a little more comfortable."

What to expect

Waddingham said the Iowa DNR typically provides advance notice to schedule inspections within a five- to 10-day window.

However, EPA inspectors may give little notice, calling early in the morning and performing inspections the same day. Farmers can sometimes delay an inspection by a day or two if they aren't available, but EPA visits are typically completed within 48 hours, Waddingham said.

During inspections, regulators commonly review separation dis­­tances from water sources, manure management practices and documentation, how feed is stored and handled, where manure stockpiles or compost piles are located and potential for runoff.

Waddingham advises farmers to have another person accompany them during an inspection to take notes and document the process.

"It's really important to answer the questions honestly, but at the same time don't say too much. Yes or no is the best way to answer their questions. Don't speculate," he said. "If the inspector takes a photo of something, I encourage the farmer to take the same photo. Ask them questions and just try to write everything down."

In addition to offering free, confidential on-farm consultations, CSIF maintains inspection checklists and other resources on its website at https://www.supportfarmers.com. Farmers can request assistance through the Coalition's website or by calling 800-932-2436.