CFE 050800 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

February . The committee was charged with examining issues surrounding the development of intensive livestock operations in Orange County . One of the main topics of concern will be waste lagoons used by hog farm operations . The first meeting was held on April 5t" . The committee includes representatives from the BOCC, CfE, Agricultural Districts Advisory Board , Board of Health , Cooperative Extension , Farm Bureau , Animal Control , Environmental Health , Natural Resources Conservation Service , Planning Dept, Orange Dairy Heard Improvement Association , Soil and Water Conservation , and members of the poultry and livestock farming community . Fortmann reported that three topics were discussed : 1 ) Defining what should be considered an " intensive livestock operation " or ILO , 2 ) the potential need for regulations in Orange County, and 3 ) what rules currently exist at the state and local level . He explained that existing State rules allow certain numbers of animals below which there are no requirements for permitting or inspections . Fortmann said the first meeting was informational and to define what the group is going to do . According to an Orange County animal agricultural facts and trends document put together by the Agricultural Extension agents , there are only three hog farms in the county . One is " free range " farm , one has very small number of animals , and one is a contract farm where about 4 , 000 hogs are raised for an outside agent . Only the largest of the three farms uses waste lagoons . The county had 13 swine producers in 1980 . Poultry operations in the county include five farms with contracts for egg production . All five have dry litter waste systems . The dry litter stays in the farmhouse for 11 months followed by an annual shutdown , cleanup and field fertilizer broadcast . There is one independent egg laying operation with approximately 60 , 000 birds , which has a liquid waste system . There are no turkey farms in Orange County . It was reported that there were 99 dairy farms in 1966 and in 1999 there were only 21 herds . The average size herd is 105 cows per operation . Dairy operations use holding pit waste systems , where the waste is collected in the pit with agitation and distribution as field fertilizer during certain times of the year . The pits can be earthen or concrete and below ground , and are not operated as a lagoon . Fortmann reported that the committee discussed whether there is any need for regulations . Cooperative Extension and farm representatives said that it would be unlikely that large operations would be built in Orange County because of the high cost of land and lack of space outside of existing residential areas . Existing setback requirements and state siting regulations would preclude new large operations.. Chatham , Columbus , Halifax, Moore , Randolph and Robeson counties have all adopted more stringent requirements that those imposed by the State . In most cases the setbacks have been increased . For example , in DRAFT CFE 4/ 10/00 Minutes Page 2 of 6