72,000-Cow CAFO Proposed in Oswego County in Upstate, New York

Bion Environmental Technology, Inc. is proposing to develop a cattle finishing facility that would hold over 72, 000 cows. The project has the town’s board approval. If built, Bion’s Beef finishing facility would be the largest of it’s kind east of the Mississippi River and would bring the trend toward consolidated feeding operations to New York’s back yard.   It is no surprise that the town board of Schroeppel, NY has been receptive to the project as Oswego County is one of the most economically depressed counties in New York State.

New York State’s farming economy has been struggling for decades and one of the biggest obstacle farmer’s face is lack of infrastructure and access to markets. Some beef producers feel that if Bion buys cattle on a mass scale, vaccinates and weans them, it could help local producers.  Other beef producers are skeptical of the impact such a large feedlot facility would have on upstate New York’s livestock markets and processors. It could represent a monopoly which would have broad power to fix prices and control the cattle market in New York State.

The proposed finishing facility and plant are out lined in this press release. The issue is complex and represents a lot of important questions for all New Yorkers to ponder. Do we want the future of our agricultural resources to be in the hands of a few? Certainly, something needs to be done to help farmers but should we be relying solely on corporations to bring this about? Not to mention the ethical concerns that a operation with 72,000 cows represents. What cost does this mean for our rural economies and future?

Image Source: Ulrike Kjarval on Flikr