May 11, 2007

Adams County Board agrees to hear proposal for large swine operation

The Adams County Board--an association composed of 12 counties in the United States--has approved a hearing for a proposed livestock management facility near LaPrairie, Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture have stated the plans of High Power Pork, LLC to build a 3,467-head facility which will have expansions in the near future.

Board chairman Mike McLaughlin said High Power Pork is the facility name that would be operated by Professional Swine Management, LLC, a division of the Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd., in Hancock County. Professional Swine Management (PSM) currently manages 60,000 sows and 100,000 finishing spaces in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa.

PSM provides production management and project development to swine producers and is focused on "managing all phases of production, including breeding, gestation, farrowing, nursery and finishing."

Warren D. Goetsch, bureau chief of environmental programs for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said the proposed site would be located about one mile west of the Schuyler County line and about three miles south of the Adams/Hancock county line, just off N. 2800th Ave.

Goetsch said the site would consist of five buildings, ranging in size from 48-feet-by-52 feet to 158-feet-by-508 feet.

No time or date for the hearing has been established, McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said the proposal is set on a large-scale operation which can boost swine industry in the country.

The County Board has 30 days to conduct a public informational meeting on the proposed construction upon receipt of the notice from the Department of Agriculture. County residents may also petition the County Board to request such a hearing.