In 1998, the Oklahoma legislature passed the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations (RPFO) Act. As set forth in this act, poultry farmers producing more than 10 tons of poultry waste per year and confining birds for 45 days or longer in any twelve month period, are required by law to register their operation with the State Board of Agriculture. Additionally, they must develop an approved Animal Waste Management Plan (AWMP) and maintain records of poultry waste removed from the premises or applied to the premises. Poultry producers, as well as individuals who spread more than 10 tons of poultry waste or litter per year, are required to obtain 9 hours of initial training covering all aspects of waste management within the first year of operation, and 3 hours of update training every year thereafter. The Agricultural Environmental Management Services (AEMS) division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) was given the responsibility for developing rules and enforcing the RPFO Act. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) is responsible for producing training curricula and conducting the required training. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) and the Office of the Secretary of Environment (OSE) are responsible for compiling data to determine if the act is adequately protecting the environment.

I. Registration and Certification

While poultry producers must register their operations, both commercial and private poultry waste applicators must apply to the State Board of Agriculture for applicator certification. Annual renewals are required for producer registration and commercial applicator certificates. Private waste applicators are required to renew their license every 5 years. Only certified private or certified commercial waste applicators are authorized to land apply poultry waste. Both private and commercial certified applicators are required to submit an official Applicator's Annual Report by December 31st each year to the AEMS Division of ODAFF, for poultry waste applied to land from July 1st of the previous year to June 30th of the report year. For example, poultry waste applicators who applied any amount of poultry litter between July 1st, 2010 and June 30th, 2011 are required to submit an annual report no later than December 31st, 2011. Certified poultry waste applicators who did not apply poultry waste during the year should submit their official annual report to AEMS with a check mark in the "No Litter Applied" box on the form. All official and required documentation and information you submit must be complete and accurate.

II. Education

The registered OPERATOR of a poultry farm is required to attend poultry waste management training conducted by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES). The OPERATOR (as named on the registration application) must personally participate in 9 hours of initial training within one year of purchasing or constructing a poultry operation, and 3 hours of update training no later than December 31st of each calendar year thereafter. If two names (such as a husband and wife) are listed on the application as the operator, both persons must obtain the required training credits. If a poultry feeding operation desires to change the name of the operator of the facility, a new AEMS official registration application must be submitted.

Certified poultry waste APPLICATORS (those who are not also registered as OPERATORS) are required to attend poultry waste management training conducted by OCES: 9 hours of initial training within one year of receiving a private or commercial poultry waste applicator's certificate, and 3 hours of update training by December 31st of each calendar year thereafter.

Operators and Applicators who fail to obtain the mandatory training may be subject to enforcement actions by ODAFF Legal Services Division.

If you have any questions regarding rules and regulations, or wish to receive copies of laws, rules, or official forms, please contact AEMS Division Director D.J. Parrish by writing the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry at P.O. Box 528804, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, by calling (405) 521-3864, or by visiting the website:www.oda.state.ok.us/aems.htm. Oklahoma Statutes and Poultry Waste Management forms can be found online at: www.oda.state.ok.us/aems-forms.htm.

For information regarding dates, times and locations of OCES training sessions, please contact your local county Extension Educator, or look online at www.poultrywaste.okstate.edu/training_classes.asp. We at Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service look forward to working with you in order to provide the required educational training. It is our goal to make your Poultry Waste Management Training a positive and worthwhile learning experience.