Survey: Northern Wisconsin Residents Oppose Proposed CAFO

A recent public opinion poll shows the majority of Ashland and Bayfield County residents oppose an Iowa company’s plans to build a large hog farm in northern Wisconsin.

Around 63 percent of 701 people surveyed in the Northland College poll oppose Reicks View Farms’ proposal for an operation with about 26,000 hogs. The college’s Brandon Hofstedt said opponents voiced concerns about impacts to air and water quality.

“Those who were in favor of the CAFO were most concerned with the things if the CAFO did not come,” said Hofstedt, using the acronym for a concentrated animal feeding operation.

Things like loss of potential jobs the project could bring. Reicks View Farms crop manager John Thomas said he was among those surveyed. Despite opposition, Thomas said he wouldn’t have signed on with Reicks if he wasn’t comfortable with their operations.

“I’m confident when they get the permits and they’re able to come, they will be as good neighbors,” Thomas said.

Hofstedt said almost 3/4 of those surveyed want to see local regulation of large farms that go beyond state standards.