What is a CAFO?
CAFO stands for "Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation." CAFOs are farming operations with at least 1,000 animal units that generate at least 6.5 million gallons of manure a year plus other wastes. Most CAFOs increase dramatically in size over time and studies show that CAFOs push out the family farmer.
Two sites owned by Petry ( see the red areas on this map) have been identified for for a proposed minimum 3,200-head dairy CAFO in our area. One site is 1/3 mile south of the Westby city limits, across from the Country Coon Prairie Church. The proposed farm would block the southern expansion of the city of Westby. The other site is on the corner of Hwy 14 and Y (adjacent to Oak Knoll), just one mile from Viroqua. The liquid manure would collect untreated in large storage ponds before being spread in the fields around Westby and Viroqua.
Here are two pictures of the proposed sites.
A CAFO in our area would pose a great risk for drinking and surface water contamination. The noxious odor of this farm would carry up to five miles. Hydrogen sulfide from stored manure causes respiratory and neurological illnesses, especially in children and the elderly. Property values will decrease 10-80% depending on proximity to the factory farm. Large, leased CAFOs like this one are frequently sited for manure discharge violations, and will bring little long term economic benefit to the community.