ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF EPA'S MANURE APPLICATION REGULATIONS ON DAIRY FARMS IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION

We estimate that EPA's CAFO final rule on manure application would have different impacts on dairy farms in the region, assuming that the farms would maintain the same herd size and same crop production practices. Some farms in the region would be able to comply it on their current land base, but other would need to lease additional land for land application of manure. Less than 30 percent of those affected farms would have a lower farm income. Most of these affected farms could have no income reduction or a higher income as a result of reduced feed cost from expanding homegrown feed production.