Public comment sought on proposed dairy facility near Benton

BENTON, Mo. -- The Scott County Commission is asking residents to speak their minds concerning a proposed dairy facility in the county.

The Sikeston Standard Democrat reported the county government is seeking public comment on a large proposed dairy operation near Benton.

"I think that this is a time for neighbors and adjoining landowners -- anyone who will be around the facility -- to voice any concerns about the operation," said Jamie Burger, presiding commissioner.

The county received a letter earlier this week from Agricultural Engineering Associates of Uniontown, Kan., on behalf of Tribute Farms, based in Dudley, Mo., which plans to build the facility in the area of County Road 506 and Highway 77 near Kelly schools.

"The proposed facility will operate as a pasture or grass-fed dairy operation with a capacity of approximately 950 cows," the letter read. "The dairy cows will receive the majority of their nutritional needs from grazing on adjacent center pivot irrigated grassed paddocks."

According to the letter, the cows will be milked twice daily in a centrally-located rotary milk parlor. A feeding barn is also proposed at the dairy facility, to provide supplemental feed as required. Those facilities are projected to be constructed on approximately 3.5 acres, the letter stated.

"The proposed manure handling system will consist of concrete flush channels in the milk parlor and feeding barn, which will be flushed and pumped to manure solids setting basins, then drained into a storage pond," the letter continued. The liquid manure is proposed to be spread on about 244 adjoining acres.

"It's a very big area," noted Burger. "And the group has done a very good job of preparing the site."

Although nearby residents and landowners have also received a copy of the letter sent to the commission, Burger said he wants to raise public awareness about the proposal so people can speak their minds, negative or positive.

Those with concerns may mail written comments to: Darrick Steen, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Comments will be accepted through July 6, 30 days after the construction permit was submitted.