In 1998, the Oklahoma legislature passed the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act and the Oklahoma Poultry Waste Applicators Act. As set forth in the acts, 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 to register their operation with the State Board of Agriculture, develop an Animal Waste Management Plan (AWMP) meeting USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requirements, and maintain poultry waste removal and application records. In addition, poultry producers and waste applicators (individuals spreading more than 10 tons poultry waste or litter per year) are required to attend 9 hours of initial training, covering all aspects of waste management, and 3 hours of update training every year thereafter. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF), Agricultural Environmental Management Services (AEMS) was given the responsibility of developing rules and enforcing the act. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) is responsible for producing training curricula and conducting the training. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) and the Office of the Secretary of Environment (OSE) are responsible for compiling data to determine whether the act has resulted in water quality improvements.

I. Registration

While poultry producers must register their operation, poultry waste applicators must apply for a valid applicator’s certificate issued by the State Board of Agriculture. Annual renewals are required by producers and commercial applicators, while private waste applicators must renew their license every 5 years. Only certified private or certified commercial waste applicators are authorized to land apply poultry waste. Certified applicators are required to submit an official applicator’s annual report by December 31st to the AEMS Division for land applied poultry waste from July 1 to June 30 of each year. For example, poultry waste applicators who applied any poultry litter between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 are required to submit an annual report of litter applications during this time frame no later than December 31, 2007. Certified poultry waste applicators who did not apply poultry waste during this period should submit an official annual report to the AEMS Division with “No Litter Applied” check-marked on the form. All required documentation and information submitted to the AEMS Division must be complete and accurate.

II. Education

The registered OPERATOR of the poultry feeding operation is required to obtain poultry education conducted by OCES; 9 hours of initial training within one year of purchasing or constructing a poultry operation and 3 hours of continuing education by December 31st of each calendar year thereafter. Please remember that the operator (as shown on the registration application at the ODAFF office) is the person required to obtain the education. 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. If two names (i.e., husband and wife) are listed as the operator, both persons are required to obtain the education.

Certified poultry waste APPLICATORS (those who are not registered poultry feeding operators) are required to obtain 9 hours of initial training within one year of obtaining the commercial poultry waste applicator’s certificate and 3 hours of continuing education, conducted by OCES, by December 31st of each calendar year thereafter.

For time, dates and locations of the required education sessions, please contact your local County Extension Educator or check online at www.poultrywaste.okstate.edu/training_classes.asp.

Current operators and applicators who fail to obtain the mandated training credits will be subject to enforcement actions by ODAFF Legal Services Division.

If you have questions regarding rules and regulations or wish to receive copies of poultry laws, rules, or official forms, please contact AEMS Division Director, D. J. Parrish at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, P. O. Box 528804, Oklahoma City, OK 73152 or by calling (405) 522-4659. Oklahoma Statutes and Poultry Waste Management Forms can be found online at: www.oda.state.ok.us/aems-home.htm.

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 educational training a positive, worthwhile learning experience.