Johnson Family Pork LLC of Volin welcomed more than 300 visitors to their new 2,400-head nursery yesterday afternoon, prior to receiving the first shipment of isowean pigs. Co-owner Louie Johnson says they originally planned on building a finishing barn, but with the opposition they faced went this route because it was easier to get permitted.
Lawsuits are pending to stop the building of these Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in Yankton County. Johnson says the facility is state of the art and they’ll use various technologies to help them run the operation in a responsible manner.
Josh Johnson says they were pleased with the large turnout for the tour and hosted it because they hope to dispel some of the common misconceptions about large-scale pork production.
And he says they’re heavily regulated by the state, especially in regards to manure and nutrient management.
The 2.400 head nursery will turn six to seven times per year, which also generates significant tax dollars and economic activity in the area for feed and other production supplies.
