Missouri Hog Operation Receives Environmental Award

A Missouri farm family is one of four pork production operations receiving a 2008 Pork Industry Environmental Steward award. The pork checkoff and its cosponser, National Hog Farmer Magazine, recognize operations protecting the environment. Oetting Farms of Concordia, Mo., was selected for demonstrating a firm commitment to safeguarding the environment and the surrounding community.

The environmental steward award winners were selected by judges drawn from pork producers and environmental organizations. The judges reviewed the applications of pork producers committed to minimizing the pork industry’s footprint on the environment. Their operations were evaluated on their manure management systems; water and soil conservation practices; odor-control strategies; farm aesthetics and neighbor relations; wildlife habitat promotion; innovative ideas used to protect the environment and an essay on the meaning of environmental stewardship.

“We receive a great set of pork producer applications and nominations every year. These operations are committed to doing things right for the environment, for their families and for U.S. agriculture,” said Randy Brown, chair of the environmental stewards selection subcommittee and member of the National Pork Board. “Pork producers generally chose to do things right. Farming is their livelihood and protecting the natural resources is part of doing business and part of every day life. These producers went one step further because they chose to represent the industry and apply for this award,” he added. Randy Brown’s family operation received the environmental steward award in 2005.

Award recipients will receive the recognition of their peers at the 2009 National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas.

Scotland County Repeals CAFO Ordinance

Scotland County livestock owners can breathe a little easier now that county commissioners have decided to repeal an ordinance with strict regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The Scotland County Commission voted 3-0 to repeal the ordinance during regular session on September 18th.

The Memphis Democrat reports the minutes from the meeting offered the following statement:

“It is the county commission’s belief that Scotland County does not have the resources or staffing to properly enforce this ordinance. The County Commission is of the opinion that this should be managed by the state Department of Natural Resources and not county government. It is our hope that DNR will revisit their regulations and improve them.”

The repeal of the county regulations took effect immediately following the commission action on September 18th. With the repeal of the ordinance, the regulations controlling CAFOs in the county reverted to the state DNR established rules.

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