Livestock expansion meeting brings in more than 120 attendees

More than 120 attended an information meeting on livestock expansion in Chase County Friday, Jan. 12. Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango organized the meeting held at the fairgrounds.
    Hughes said he wanted people to get first-hand knowledge on two proposed livestock expansion projects in the county.
    These include an organic dairy proposed northwest of Imperial by Aurora Dairy, based in Colorado, and a dairy heifer finishing yard planned by Stromberger Farms southwest of Champion.  
    Hughes used a panel format, with each party addressing their project. He also included County Planning Commission Chair to outline zoning issues for the projects.
    Charly Colton told attendees the county zoning regulations require a setbacks for intensive livestock operations based on animal units.
    For Class I, 300-1000 units, the required setback is 1,000 from the nearest neighbor. For Class II: 1,001-5,000 units, 1 mile; Class III: 5,001 to 20,000 units, 1.5 miles; Class IV: 20,000 and above, two miles.

Aurora Dairy porposal
    Most of those attending wanted to hear more about the proposed project of Boulder, Colorado-based Aurora Dairy.
    Hughes said he’s neutral on the issue but wanted to get the facts to people versus the rumor mill or coffee shop talk.
    He was pleased Aurora Dairy’s president, Scott McGinty, was present to explain their plans and answer questions from the crowd.
    McGinty was accompanied by Dr. Juan Velez, who oversees all the company’s ag operations, including dairy farms and herd health, along with pasture and crop management.
    McGinty said the company plans to add a milk processing facility in Columbia, Miss., in addition their plant in Platteville, Colo.,
    Expansion of dairy operations in Chase County would allow organic milk produced here to be shipped to either Columbia or Platteville, McGinty said.
    He emphasized throughout his presentation they want the Chase County site to play a key role in their cow-to-carton supply chain.
    An Aurora subsidiary already owns or controls more than three irrigated sections northwest of Imperial that are in transition for organic certification.    
    Velez said they would start with a 1,440-head barn with plans to add three more barns by 2022. The barns will use deep-bedded hay pack that is removed two to three times per year and composted.
    Velez said they separate all animal solids from liquid, which is also then composted. The liquid and compost supplies the nutrients for soil fertility.
    A unique aspect of the facility is that cows will milk themselves when ready with robotic milking. Velez said this is rather new in the industry and reduce the amount of entry-level employees needed.
    Cows would have access to exercise areas and grazing pastures.
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