Look Out Below! / Straight Talk by Martha Stevens - Rural America / In Motion Magazine

Martha Stevens is livestock farmer who lives and farms near Hatfield, Missouri. This article is part of an ongoing series by Martha Stevens - Straight Talk - commenting on the life and politics of farming in Missouri and the U.S. as a whole.

When Swine Graphics announced plans for multiple confinement operations in Taylor County, Iowa -- more specifically south of Bedford (IA) and north of Sheridan (MO) -- I anticipated the usual hue and cry from immediate neighbors to the facilities with the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard!) complex. But I also expected alarm bells to sound regarding the potential for pollution of the water supply for those living "south of the border." This concern would not be misdirected given the impact these types of operations nearly always have on rivers and streams.

While immediate neighbors to the facility are understandably upset, I have not heard much from those living downstream of the proposed facilities; those who obtain their drinking water from nearby "receiving streams" like the Platte, West Fork, and/or Honey Creek.

Those living down-river of the Pig Palaces (I borrowed that descriptive phrase from neighbor Vickie Jeanes) would be the primary recipients of run-off from the no-discharge facilities when (note I said when, not if) spills, leaking lagoons, over-application to cropland, etc. results in problems to potential receiving streams. I've never understood the term "no-discharge facility" used in conjunction with "receiving streams." If there's no discharge, receiving what?

To their credit, Sheridan officials have recognized the potential for problems as indicated by their own official letter to the CAFO owners, and petitions provided by Iowans for Quality of Life are currently available for signing. But city officials and IQL can't do it alone; they need the numbers represented by a vocal populous speaking as one body against further expansion by those consumed with a seemingly never-ending quest for more . . . more . . . more.

And while everyone is certainly entitled to his/her opinion regarding mega CAFO's and is able to decide whether to participate in action or inaction, it might be prudent to remember that water does move downstream, and whether or not that water contains pollutants, it still keeps right on rolling along.

We finally got some much needed rain; a little late for crops but at least it will replenish some of the water supplies that were dropping to dangerous levels. Which brings to mind the problems in the Milan area and their diminished water supply.

Milan is home to the PSF packing plant and to a ConAgra frozen food plant, both of which, of necessity need a considerable amount of water to operate. As neighboring towns in rural America tend to do, Trenton has offered assistance in a time of need by providing the town with water from the Thompson River, Trenton's own water source. That comes at a price, however, necessitating laying several miles of water lines.

Small wonder that Milan was hit with a water shortage. PSF's packing plant normally uses 700,000 gallons of water per day; ConAgra, 300,000 to 400,000 gallons, while the city requires 200,000 and rural residents an additional 225,000 gallons daily.

ConAgra and PSF report they have implemented water conservation plans at their plants in cooperation with residents who have seen restrictions placed on everything from washing cars to watering gardens -- and more. Both operations are to be commended for water conservation BUT, one aspect of the water conservation program is troubling. Regarding that effort, I quote from the Premium Neighbor Report (PSF's newsletter): "Such water conservation as taking out sterilizers (and) recycling water to do pre-wash on machinery . . . are some of the steps being taken."

I would think that conservation at the expense of properly cleaning equipment in a plant that is processing food for the masses should be cause for alarm. I can't help wondering why our USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service would allow such, especially in light of overwhelming concern among consumers regarding salmonella, e-coli, and multiple other health problems caused by meat grinders and cutting equipment that is less than immaculate, not only in appearance but microscopically.

Today's Quote: "If you plan to visit (or live by) a hog confinement area, follow the advice of the old west: Keep your head down and be sure to drink upstream of the herd." -- Jean Anne Casey (The New York Times).