LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — An appeal has been launched against the construction of a 25,000-head feedlot near Barons in southern Alberta.
The County of Lethbridge issued a building permit to Cor Van Raay Farms in March to develop the lot on a quarter section of land. Van Raay also has an option to purchase another five quarters near the proposed site. In total, 24 quarters on irrigated and dryland farms are available to accept manure from the proposed lot.
Opponents object to the high level of livestock concentration in the county.
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“There is not a problem with this particular operation but there is a problem in the county with the density,” said Tom Golden of the Oldman River Intermunicipal Service Agency, which acts as an adviser to the county.
Van Raay applied for a similar operation of 25,000 head last year on a different tract of land. It was rejected by the development appeal board.
The County of Lethbridge is rewriting its land use bylaw and has decided against setting rules governing livestock density within its jurisdiction.
It is relying on the manure handling code of practice released last December, which revised the minimum allowable distance between farms and neighbors based on the number and species of animals. It also demands a manure management plan with complete records of spreading and soil tests.
Orin Kenzie of Alberta Agriculture told the appeal board Van Raay’s latest proposal will be more than two kilometres from the closest residence. It also has a manure management plan.
Opposition to the development includes concerns over property devaluation, odor, flies, dust problems and contamination from manure runoff to local water supplies.
At press time there was no decision as to whether the development of the feedlot would go through.
