LETTERS: Hog farm permit should be approved

Talk about it

To the Editor:

Much debate surrounds the proposed pork production site for Baker Township in Davison County, including increased odor and water depletion. Jack Rabbit Family Farms — a group of independent farmers sharing ownership in one enterprise — aims to address these issues while providing employment packages to more than 15 employees, paying an estimated $33,000 in state taxes annually and purchasing $1,700,000 of feed from local suppliers each year.

The owners, and their management team at Pipestone Systems, have agreed to implement odor reduction practices at the state-of-the-art facility, designed with a manure management plan that meets or exceeds state requirements and will be regulated by inspection of state officers. Additionally, the owners have committed to helping maintain the roads to and from the proposed site.

The proposed farm of 5,400 sows will use approximately 20,000 gallons of water per day. This is equivalent to a 350-450 cow dairy herd or a 1,400 head beef feedlot, while a typical ethanol plant uses 450,000 to 850,000 gallons of water per day. By all accounts, this is a responsible use of our natural resources.

Furthermore, the central United States is considered the bread basket of the world. Our responsibility in rural America is to supply food to the people, a challenging task as the world population is expected to double by 2050. Today, an estimated 720 children die every hour world-wide from lack of food. How many will starve in 2050?

If self-contained, efficient and fiscally responsible barns cannot be placed in ag-zoned backyards, then where can they go?

Support your county commissioners to make the right decision on this proposed modern agricultural project. It is a great opportunity for Davison County, the state of South Dakota and our country.

Tags: jackrabbit family farms, opinion, letters, agriculture