Vermont agriculture officials are trying to figure out how a new federal law regulating large farms will affect the state.
They say they hope the 400-page rule from the U-S Environmental Protection Agency will bring more funding to the state for farm improvements.
The rule aims to control runoff from large farms into lakes, rivers and streams.
It requires any farm with more than 750 dairy cows to get a federal permit.
Vermont already has a law requiring a state permit for farms with more than 670 cows.
State officials are trying to determine whether the state law will still be in effect or whether the federal version supercedes it.