BISMARCK—2025 could be another year when North Dakota welcomes the livestock industry. Following the task force’s recommendations, the Legislature will consider updating the extent to which local governments can restrict feedlot operations. The panel specifically examined the distances allowed between larger livestock sites and homes, businesses, and schools.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring took part in the discussions, arguing that while these rules would be more relaxed, they’re still tougher than those in other states.
Goehring says, “It looks at prevailing winds and information collected from different weather stations – counties can look at it and determine if the setbacks that are in place are sufficient, or they could grant a variance.”
He says exemptions could be carved out – moving feedlots back by the use of an “odor modeling tool”
Feedlots with large animal herds, sometimes known as concentrated animal feeding operations, are under scrutiny from environmentalists over the impact on air and water quality.
Supporters of expanding livestock output say it also brings more jobs to smaller towns. Aaron Birst of the North Dakota Association of Counties, who sat in on the task force, says they recognize that need. But he says it can’t outweigh how a local community values quality-of-life metrics and whether or not they’d be harmed by an industry.
While Birst says a healthy balance is desirable, his group has yet to take a stance on the proposed changes. There were similar debates in 2023 when the Legislature narrowed the scope of corporate farm regulations.
More broadly, researchers at the University of Missouri say despite what backers of large livestock operations say, their economic strengths don’t stretch as far as advertised.
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