what is an CAFO
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). For a facility to be a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) it must first meet the definition for an AFO. A CAFO is a specific kind of Animal Feeding Operation (AFO). There are two distinct ways for an AFO to be considered a CAFO.nimals are confined for a 45 day period and the operation meets any of the animal thresholds in Table 2 (right), and the facility meets one or both of the following discharge criteria. 1  A man made ditch, pipe, or similar device carries manure or process washwater from the operation to surface water.