Guest Column: Siting Considerations

04-23-2015 in Hogs

By: Stephanie Carlson, Iowa Pork Producers Association

While Iowans strongly support farmers and give them high marks for trustworthiness and importance, they do have questions related to specific farming practices. These may include such topics as odor, water quality, property values, use of roads and bridges and proximity of other farms. These factors make proper siting of a new livestock barn critical.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is here to help farm families raise livestock responsibly and successfully, which means you don’t have to go through the process alone. CSIF can assist you with a site analysis. A thorough analysis takes into account the location of neighbors, public use areas like parks and lakes, topography and prevailing wind directions. When considering potential building sites, be mindful that Iowa’s prevailing winds, especially during spring and summer, blow from the southeast to northwest. Potential livestock odor can be managed with proper siting and various other solutions. When considering a new site, ask these questions:

• Does the site meet DNR separation distances for the size of facility?
• Are karst or alluvial soils present?
• Does the site have minimum number of neighbors?
• What is the proximity of neighbors in prevailing wind direction from the site?
• Are neighbors tolerant of modern livestock production?

There are several crucial planning steps that need to be taken prior to and during construction. For confidential and personalized assistance in answering any of these questions or others, please contact the Coalition at 1-800-932-2436.

CSIF is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization launched in 2004. The Coalition was created by farmers with the mission of working with farmers at no cost. Member organizations include the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

Recommended News