Large-Scale Hog Confinement Operations
The building of large-scale hog confinement operations in Iowa occurs in response to needed economies of scale to successfully compete in an industry
that is experiencing rapid vertical integration and increases in the size of production units. Concerns arise, however, about potential negative effects on human health and short- and long-term
environmental damage to water and air quality. These concerns have motivated public resistance to the operations as well as calls for additional technologies to reduce undesirable odors and potential environmental problems.
The following links are to articles that have appeared in the Des Moines
Register and other publications regarding this complex and controversial issue.
China Trade Bill Seen as Big Gain for Iowa.
The Rush to Oblivion.
How to Lose Everything.
Farmers Worry They Will be Hurt by Suits Against Big Hog Growers.
Big Hog Lots Face New Protest.
A Different Approach to Feedlot Odors.
Bad Guy or Family Farmer?
Rural Residents Rail at Impact of Hog Lots.
Why Hog Lots A Problem, Not If.
Hog Unit Frustrates Story County Residents.
Opponents Say Hog Lot Threatens Historic Trail.
Swine Stench Spurs Multimillion Dollar Settlements.
Immigrants Test Soul of Storm Lake.
Manure Reaches Creek: 64,000 Fish are Killed.
Public Not Told as Manure Flowed.
Manure Reports are Falsified.
Studies Suggest Health Threatened.
ISU Study: Many Old Lagoons are Leaking.
The Mystery on Mud Creek.
State Opposes Plan to Limit the Pollution from Hog Farms.
Squeaky-Clean Hog Setup Has Its Own Bio-Security.
Pork Processor Contends It Faces Bias in Iowa.
Support Is Growing for Curbs on Hog Lots.
New Confinement Law Faces Obstacles.
Property Rights for Hog Lot Neighbors.
Tourism vs. Livestock.
Hog Odor Isn't Smell of Money and Family Farm is Only an Ideal.
Local Control of Livestock Operations.
Halt New Hog Lot Construction.
Should Counties Have Local Control?
Debate Over Local Control.
The "Ag-Gag" Law.
The "AG-Gag" Law.