1. As used in this section, “research college” means an accredited public or private college or university, including but not limited to a university under the control of the state board of regents as provided in chapter 262, or a community college under the jurisdiction of a board of directors for a merged area as provided in chapter 260C, if the college or university performs research or experimental activities regarding animal agriculture or agronomy.
 2. The requirements of this subchapter which regulate animal feeding operations, including rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 459.103, shall not apply to research activities and experiments performed under the authority and regulations of a research college, if the research activities and experiments relate to animal feeding operations, including but not limited to the confinement of animals and the storage and disposal of manure originating from animal feeding operations.
 3. This section shall not apply to requirements provided in any of the following:

 a. Section 459.311, including rules adopted by the department under that section.
 b. Section 459.310, including rules adopted by the department under that section.