Livestock Producers Warned of Open Records Requests Amid Industry Growth
Steve Hallstrom
Special to The Farmer
North Dakota agriculture officials are sounding the alarm after several livestock producers recently received unexpected correspondence regarding their operations. Bridgette Readel, Ag Director for AM 1090 The Flag, recently discussed, with The Farmer, a wave of open records requests targeting permitted livestock facilities across the state.
According to Readel, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring was alerted that producers managing larger herds of cattle or hogs in confinement barns and feedlots were contacted by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). While the letters state no direct action is required from the farmers, they have sparked significant concern within the agricultural community.
The release reads as follows.
“Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has been made aware that producers operating permitted livestock facilities have been receiving letters from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), telling them of an open records request about their facility.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!