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Welcome ...

to the Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science "Ag & the Environment" Website! (This site was formerly known as "Animal Waste Management" or more recently as "Ag Waste Management.") We have given the site a new look and will be updating and expanding the information. So check back later to see how we are doing.

Current News & Events

  • The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources Rules pertaining to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO's) were revised and became effective February 18, 2014. Chapter 0400-40-05 will be of particular interest to Tennessee Livestock Producers.

  • The Times-News in Hendersonville has reported that the North Carolina Division of Water Quality will be sending a notice of violation to the operator of a western NC dairy for allegedly discharging wastes into a ditch leading to the French Broad River. [Read More]

  • Ohio Dairy Suspected in Fish Kill
    This story illustrates the need for vigilance in managing dairy wastes. [Read More]


  • On July 30, 2012, the EPA's final rule revising its CAFO permit regulation became effective. This rule revision is in response to a 2011 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit decision in National Pork Producers Council v. EPA, which vacated portions of the Agency’s 2008 CAFO rule. [Read More]

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing that concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) submit basic operational information. [Read More]

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has warned 13 Chino dairy owners they need to upgrade manure handling systems so pollution doesn't reach area waterways. [Read More]

  • Idaho dairyman sentenced to 60 days in jail for illegally diverting wastewater from his dairy operation. [Read More]

  • Information on becoming a Technical Service Provider is available on the NRCS website. [Read More]


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Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science
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Ag and the Environment
2506 E.J. Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
(865) 974-7266

(865) 974-4514 (fax)
shawkins@utk.edu