Letter to the Editor: Corporate pig CAFOs in ND don't make sense

Dear Editor,

Recently, the ND legislature cracked open our unique, long-standing non-corporate farming laws to allow corporations to begin to farm livestock in CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations in which over 1000 animal units are confined for over 45 days a year) As a veterinarian and a strong advocate for nutrient-dense food from animal products, well-regulated CAFOs have greatly improved animal health and comfort. I believe CAFOs are a necessary part of our food security nationally, but only when implemented intentionally for our state’s economy and landscape.

For thousands of years on the North Dakota Plains, Buffalo or Cattle converted massive quantities of nonedible biomass of our prairies into nutrient-dense food and milk for humans while creating rich, healthy soil and other ecosystem services. They have been integral to North Dakota’s agricultural system and our culture. Our expansive space and arid climate of North Dakota provide a great environment for raising cattle and cattle feedlots. The cattle live in a pen with plenty of room to move around, exercise, rest, lay down, and move. The cowboy pen riders make up a significant part of the workforce. The feedlot cattle can eat grains and forage grown locally, reducing transportation costs and supporting North Dakota Farmers and ranchers alike. Imagine using some of our Legacy dollars to invest in a 600-head-a-day cattle processing facility for North Dakota. We would have a regional powerhouse for beef production with more direct dollars going to North Dakota farmers and ranchers while providing food security for our region and our nation. Unfortunately, in 2021, the ND legislature rejected a bill for a 600-head cattle processing and rendering facility investment for North Dakota. Regardless, the prairies naturally provide a great environment and economy for beef producers.

In contrast, pigs are not native to North Dakota and require significant care, housing, and feed input for production. Unlike cattle production, where 80% of the calf’s life is spent on a local ranch before moving to a feedlot, the pigs in corporate CAFOs are born, bred, and raised to slaughter weight all within corporate facilities. Unlike cattle, pigs contribute little to soil health, are not environmentally acclimated to North Dakota, and require a workforce often filled by migrant workers. The last hog processing facility in Minot, ND closed in 2011. Thus, the corporate pig CAFOs will likely be farrowing facilities with the baby pigs being sent out of state for finishing and processing. Even our ND soybean producers will not benefit from a local pig CAFO market. The only economic benefit for North Dakota goes to the out-of-state corporations. Meanwhile, North Dakotans are stuck with all the waste, the smell, the risk, the need to attract a transient workforce, and fewer dollars staying in North Dakota. Although I love my local pork producer, I see zero benefit of corporate pig CAFOs in North Dakota.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in letters to the editor are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Dickinson Press.