Winneshiek County Board endorses KG4 Dairy confinement permit

On a 4-1 vote, the Winneshiek County Board is recommending to the Iowa DNR that it issue a permit for a western Winneshiek County confined animal facility operation's expansion.

The application by KG4 Dairy would expand a 750-head dairy confinement operation to 1,760 milking cows.  An increase in hogs and in immature cows at the property would place 5,273 animals on the operation. 

Supervisors heard testimony Monday morning from seven individuals at a public hearing.  Agricultural engineer Nick Rowe, who developed the expansion plan, said increased manure storage on the property would allow manure to be spread at the right time.  He also said the plan called for covering what have been several open lots at the facility.

Winneshiek County residents Steve Mc Cargar and Bob Watson spoke against the application.  Mc Cargar said CAFOs have led to an ammonia cloud over the Midwest--especially in Iowa.  Watson said manure that is stored becomes more toxic as it ages.  He noted that CAFO waste is not tested for dangerous trace minerals and chemicals.

Supervisor Mark Kuhn made the motion to approve the application after the 45-minute public hearing ended.  Kuhl said the application "touches all the bases."  Three other supervisors agreed with him, with supervisor John Beard voting against the application.