Farmers decry anti-CAFO ruling: 'We're basically out of business'

This story was originally printed in the Marshall Democrat-News (www.marshallnews.com).

Wednesday, August 27, 2008
By MARCIA GORRELL, Marshall Democrat-News

Although all the implications are unclear, a Cole County judge's ruling against the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which was handed down on Tuesday, Aug. 25, seems to effectively shut down animal agriculture in Saline County and elsewhere.

"It is totally irresponsible," said state senator Bill Stouffer (R-Napton).

According to the ruling, "No Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation can transport, spread or otherwise deposit or dispose of any waste from its operation within a 15-mile radius from the Village of Arrow Rock, nearby State historic sites and national-listed Prairie Park, in the State of Missouri, as those operations and activities pose a threat to these State Parks, Historical Sites and landmarks in the State of Missouri."

With that ruling existing, many area hog farms, which have not had neighbor complaints, are also affected.

"If you can't spread your manure, then you can't have hogs," said David Bentley, an area farmer just one mile from the Marshall city limits whose hog farm would be affected if the ruling stands. "We're basically out of business."

The suit filed by the Friends of Arrow Rock against the Department of Natural Resources was intended to revoke the permit issued to Dennis Gessling of rural Hardeman for a proposed 4,800 hog CAFO two miles from Arrow Rock. However, Gessling's existing operation, which also hasn't had neighbor complaints since it was built in 1998, is approximately four miles from Arrow Rock.
Calling the ruling, "ridiculous," Gessling said that it stems from environmentalists not "listening" to producers and agriculture experts who say that any potential negative impact from hog facilities can be managed through new technology and proper care.

"Farmers are the top-notch environmentalists in this country," he said. "We have to take care of the ground the good Lord has provided us. We understand it is not ours, but His."

Adding that although there may be some bad examples, 99 percent of farmers take care of their land and natural resources in a responsible manner.

Both Gessling and Bentley said this ruling not only affects pork producers, but also all farmers.
"If there are no hogs in this county, then the value of the corn and soybeans grown in this county also just went down," said Bentley. "Because I am in business, a lot of other people are in business."

Gessling, too, said this ruling could also affect cattle producers in the county and state.

"It's going to affect everything if we don't get this stopped," he said.

Stouffer said an earlier study showed that just a 10-mile radius around state parks and national historic sites in Missouri would effectively "shut down" animal agriculture in Missouri.

"If people want their food produced in other countries, then this is the way to get it done," said Stouffer.

"A true environmentalist ought to want their food produced in the United States, where we can control the impact to the environment," he added.

"These few people can afford to get food from other places and pay whatever they want," said Bentley. However, he said, there are millions and millions of people in this country that can't afford to pay "whatever" for food and are "just fine with the way I raise it."
"This is the minority making decisions for the majority and the majority hasn't stepped up to say enough is enough," said Bentley.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net (c) Marshall Democrat-News