Western Wisconsin Town is Latest to Propose New Rules for Large Livestock Farms

By Danielle Kaeding

A western Wisconsin town is among a growing number of local governments that want local regulation of large livestock farms.

The Pierce County town of Isabelle will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a draft operations ordinance for concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. Those farms have at least 1,000 animal units or the equivalent of 700 milking cows. The ordinance would require a CAFO owner to obtain an operations permit to address concerns about manure, air pollution and road damage among other issues.

“We just want to reinforce state statute and make sure that the environment is sound and that there’s good business practices by the CAFO people, and that people will be held accountable for any misrepresentation of what they’re going to be doing,” said Scott Nelson, chair of the town of about 270 residents.