By Andi Anderson
A livestock facility in Clayton County is facing renewed scrutiny as it seeks approval from state regulators for its manure disposal plans, reigniting an enduring dispute. The facility, known as Supreme Beef, has encountered significant opposition due to concerns about its handling of cattle manure and its impact on the environment.
Wallace Taylor, representing the Sierra Club of Iowa, expressed concerns about Supreme Beef's latest request for approval from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding its nutrient management plan, which outlines the dispersion of cattle manure on farmland. Taylor asserted that the cattle operation's practices do not align with existing regulations.
One of the primary points of contention is the facility's substantial 39-million-gallon manure storage basin, which is located in proximity to Bloody Run Creek, one of Iowa's esteemed trout streams. The geology of the area is porous, raising the risk of groundwater contamination in the event of a leak.
Supreme Beef, an 11,600-cattle facility, has a history of legal troubles dating back to 2019 when its owners filed a lawsuit against their business partners for failing to construct an anaerobic digester designed to produce natural gas from the manure.
Earlier this year, a district court judge invalidated a prior plan for managing the manure, which had initially received approval in 2021. Judge Scott Rosenberg criticized the plan's approval, citing "illogical interpretations of the statutes."
The facility continued to operate and retained its manure on-site. In response to several challenges from individuals and environmental groups regarding the adequacy of available farmland for manure application, the owners withdrew a nutrient management plan submitted earlier this year.
The revised nutrient management plan aimed to address previous concerns and was the subject of a public hearing on Monday to collect comments from the public. The Iowa DNR will consider these comments when making a decision to either approve or reject the plan, although the timeline for that decision remains uncertain.
Supreme Beef stands as the largest cattle operation in Clayton County, according to DNR records. While no representatives from Supreme Beef spoke at the hearing, two local farmers expressed their support for the business and urged the department to approve the plan. They cited the complexity of the rules governing livestock farming and their belief that Supreme Beef is a responsible steward of the land, benefiting the community.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-pamwalker68
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Beef Cattle