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Audio DVD Script - Release Date: March, 2007
Listed here is the script of the DVD "No Surprises - What Takes Place When Building a New Pork Facility."
Indiana’s pork industry is in a growth phase that’s helping to keep
farm families on the land -- preserving our farming tradition and
protecting the land. This DVD highlights some of the Indiana farm
families who are expanding or constructing new state of-the-art pork
production buildings and what takes place in the construction of these
facilities.
The DVD was produced by Indiana Soybean Alliance
in cooperation with the Indiana Pork Producers. Copies of the DVD are
available by ordering at this web site.
Script
Narrator:
INDIANA HAS A PROUD AGRICULTURAL TRADITION. AND, ONE OF THE KEY SECTORS OF INDIANA’S AGRICULTURE IS PORK PRODUCTION.
IN FACT, INDIANA RANKS 5TH IN THE NATION IN PORK PRODUCTION. AND,
THE HOOSER STATE’S 3-THOUSAND PORK FARMS CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN 3-BILLION
DOLLARS TO THE STATE’S ECONOMY.
THAT HELPS KEEP OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES STRONG. AND, INDIANA PORK
PRODUCERS TAKE PRIDE NOT ONLY IN CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, BUT
IN BEING RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS OF THEIR LAND AND ANIMALS.
BUT, OVER THE PAST 2-DECADES INDIANA’S PORK INDUSTRY HAS GOTTEN SMALLER.
IN FACT, THE NUMBER OF PIGS IN INDIANA TODAY IS STILL ONLY ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT WAS 20-YEARS AGO.
NOW, THE INDIANA PORK INDUSTRY IS IN A GROWTH PHASE THAT’S HELPING TO
KEEP FARM FAMILIES ON THE LAND -- PRESERVING OUR FARMING TRADITION AND
PROTECTING THE LAND.
FARM FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE CONSTRUCTING NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART
PORK PRODUCTION BUILDINGS…OR EXPANDING AND MODERNIZING THEIR EXISTING
FACILITIES.
Narrator:
FOR EXAMPLE, MIKE BEARD HAS CONTINUED TO EXPAND HIS PORK OPERATION OVER THE YEARS AS A WAY TO KEEP THE FAMILY FARM VIABLE.
Mike Beard, Indiana pork producer:
1:58:08 “The late 90s we began building quad barns, these are
barns that hold 4 thousand head of hogs and they’re wean to finish
operations, bring the small pigs in and send the big pigs out.”
(:14)
Narrator:
JEFF CROWELL IS A GRAIN FARMER WHO LOOKED AT MANY OTHER OPTIONS TO
CONTINUE THE FAMILY FARM TRADITION BEFORE DECIDING THAT BUILDING A NEW
QUAD-BARN FOR CONTRACT PORK PRODUCTION WAS THE WAY TO GO FOR HIM.
Jeff Crowell:
1:11:46 We're putting up a 4 thousand head wean to finish
building, that will roughly produce 8 thousand head a year. (:09)
Narrator:
DARRIN WAGNER GREW UP ON A FARM BUT BEGAN HIS CAREER AS A MECHANIC IN
TOWN. NOW, HE AND HIS WIFE TINA DECIDED THEY WANT THEIR FAMILY TO
RETURN TO THEIR FARMING ROOTS BY GETTING INVOLVED IN PORK PRODUCTION.
Darrin Wagner:
2:02:08 “We’re starting three new finish houses to take the pigs
out of our existing nursery. It’ll be a continuous flow unit,
virtually running the pigs from wean to finish then, and marketing them
as a grown animal.” (:13)
Tina Wagner:
2:14:56 “We decided this was our future, this is what we needed to do for our family.” (:07)
Narrator:
BEFORE THESE PORK PRODUCING FAMILIES GET CLOSE TO BREAKING GROUND ON A
NEW BUILDING, THEY MUST FOLLOW STRICT STATE REGULATIONS TO INSURE THEIR
OPERATIONS WILL NOT IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT, THE WATER QUALITY, OR THEIR
NEIGHBORS.
Mike Veenhuizen, President, Livestock Engineering Solutions:
1:17:23 “In fact, Indiana and the hog industry is a zero discharge
industry and what that means is that there are, we're not allowed to
discharge to surface water in the state. Similar to what
municipalities, or wastewater treatment facilities, or even
manufacturing sites, they have an allowable discharge and we have an
allowable discharge of zero. So as a result of that, we're
basically faced with having to build to a standard that's as stringent
or more stringent than any of the other industries.” (:38)
Narrator:
TO INSURE THERE ARE “NO SURPRISES” WHEN
A FARM FAMILY NEAR YOU MOVES TO ADD A PORK PRODUCTION FACILITY OR
EXPAND AN EXISTING PORK OPERATION, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTS YOU
SHOULD KNOW.
FIRST, NO PORK OPERATION CAN BE BUILT IN INDIANA TODAY WITHOUT GOING
THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE REVIEW PROCESS REGULATED
BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, KNOWN AS IDEM.
THIS OVERSIGHT AND REGULATION IS ON-GOING AND BEGINS EVEN AS A PRODUCER
IS SELECTING THE SITE WHERE A NEW BUILDING FOR PORK PRODUCTION WILL BE
LOCATED.
Narrator:
TOM PARK, WITH IDEM, IS ONE THOSE WHO CONDUCTS ON-SITE INSPECTIONS
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION OF A PORK PRODUCTION FACILITY.
Tom Park, IDEM Office of Land Quality, Confined Feeding Section:
1:16:09 “Most applications that come into the Confined Feeding
Section are very well prepared and before people even submit
applications, they’ve taken time to contact our section, to get
guidance information, to be well prepared to prepare these applications
for approval.”
Bob Bridges, Mayor, City of Rushville, IN:
1:24:27 “They want to be good neighbors also and don’t intend to
do anything that are harmful to anybody that lives around them.
1:29:29 I know I probably had some misconceptions about hog
operations because I haven’t been around them for several years.
But, again, I’ve found that the permitting process by IDEM is very
restrictive and that’s a good thing.” (:28)
Narrator:
ONCE THE EXTENSIVE APPLICATION AND PERMITTING PROCESS IS COMPLETE, AND
THE APPROVALS ARE IN FROM IDEM, THEN A PRODUCER CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH
CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR NEW BUILDINGS.
FOR A FARM FAMILY TODAY, A TYPICAL,
AVERAGE SIZED FACILITY IS KNOWN AS A QUAD-BARN. THAT IS: 4-ROOMS UNDER ONE ROOF THAT HOLD UP TO 4-THOUSAND ANIMALS.
Narrator:
THESE AND OTHER TYPES OF MODERN PORK BUILDINGS ARE ENGINEERED FROM
BELOW THE GROUND UP WITH FEATURES THAT PROVIDE A CLEAN, COMFORTABLE
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE ANIMALS, AND SAFE, EFFICIENT CONTAINMENT OF THE
MANURE, WHICH IS A VALUABLE NUTRIENT RESOURCE FOR GROWING CROPS.
IN THESE MODERN ENCLOSED BUILDINGS, ANIMAL COMFORT IS TOP-NOTCH, WITH
TEMPERATURE, AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS NOW COMPUTER
CONTROLLED.
Jeff Crowell:
1:15:30 “We’re planning on building this because it’s a better
environment for the animals, and it also lets us utilize the nutrients
on our soils and on our ground. And, it’s just a better
environment for myself and my family to work in.” (:18)
Narrator:
IF A NEW PORK FACILITY IS BEING BUILT IN YOUR AREA, AND YOU’RE
INTERESTED IN SEEING THE PROJECT, CONTACT THE PORK PROUDCER TO ARRANGE
A TOUR.
MIKE BEARD RECENTLY HOSTED AN OPEN HOUSE SO NEIGHBORS COULD LEARN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON HIS FARM.
Mike Beard, Indiana pork producer:
2:00:40 “They were very surprised at the technology that exists
today in the pork industry. How we handle the waste, what we do
to eliminate the presence of odor or at least mitigate the odor, and
how we treat the animals.” (:19)
Narrator:
SOME FACILITIES ARE DESIGNED WITH “DEEP PITS”, MEANING THE MANURE
NUTRIENTS ARE COLLECTED UNDERNEATH THE BUILDING IN A WATER-TIGHT,
LEAK-PROOF, STEEL-REINFORCED CONCRETE TANK.
Mike Veenhuizen, President, Livestock Engineering Solutions:
1:05:02 “We just don't go and dig a hole and pour some concrete
and say we're done, it's a very precise construction practice or
construction method in order to get a sound, and really an efficient
and a tank that's going to last for the length of the building.
Part of that's in the concrete specification, the high strength
concrete that based on the American Concrete Institute, ACI and NRCS
standards is considered to be water-tight concrete.” (:30)
Narrator:
EACH NEW PORK FACILITY IN INDIANA IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO STORE MANURE FOR AT LEAST 180-DAYS.
THEN, WITHIN THAT 180 DAYS, USUALLY IN THE SPRING OR FALL AND WHEN SOIL
AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT, FARMERS TAKE THE MANURE OUT AND
CAREFULLY APPLY IT TO FARM-LAND AS A VALUABLE ORGANIC FERTILIZER FOR
CORN AND OTHER CROPS.
Jerry Warren, Indiana pork producer:
1:02:28 “It is an organic fertilizer. We analyze our manure
each year for the nutrient value, and then we match that very carefully
to the needs of our crop. We’re very aware of how many nutrients
a bushel of soybeans or a bushel of corn takes out of the ground, and
we match those draws on the ground to our manure applications each
fall.” (:21)
Narrator:
JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SUCH AS BUILDING A HOUSE,
NEIGHBORS WILL NOTICE A BRIEF PERIOD OF ACTIVITY WHEN A NEW FACILITY IS
GOING IN - WITH A CONSTRUCTION CREW ON-SITE DURING THE BUILDING
PROCESS. BELLAR CONSTRUCTION IS ONE OF THE INDIANA COMPANIES
WORKING TO BUILD NEW PORK PRODUCTION FACILITIES.
Chuck Bellar, Bellar Construction:
2:23:02 “When we’re in the local area, we have a crew of 15 to 20
people that would be using the local restaurants, and gas stations and
stuff so usually most of those local town people are a little upset
when we do leave an area, because we’re taking a lot of business away.”
(:20)
Darrin Wagner, Winimac, IN
2:07:29 “Bellar Construction Management Incorporated is doing the
project, they are, they pretty much brought everything with them as a
complete package. The local impact – I mean we are using some
local electricians, and of course the REMC, the rural electric company
will be you know a big part of this. We will be a large consumer
and they will be providing service here.” (:27)
Narrator:
EVEN AS NEW BUILDINGS ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED, PORK PRODUCING FAMILIES
ARE INCLUDING DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT WILL MAKE THEIR FARMS AS PLEASING
VISUALLY AS THEY ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – TO THE BENEFIT OF THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
Darrin Wagner:
2:04:54 “We try to be very proactive in the eyes of the neighbors
and the passersby, just to give the pork producer a positive
image. So that everything looks good and everybody feels a lot
better about the product they receive.” (:18)
Tina Wagner:
2:15:14 “When we’re all done and when we get done, I hope that
it’s nice for people to drive by and see. I want people to say oh
that looks really nice with the nice trees around it, landscaping and
the buildings nice and things picked up.” (:16)
Narrator:
ANOTHER EXAMPLE: IN FLORA, INDIANA PORK PRODUCER JASON OYLER PLANTED
12-HUNDRED FEET OF TREES AROUND HIS BARNS TO BEAUTIFY THE PROPERTY AND
SERVE AS A WIND BREAK.
Jason Oyler, Double J Facilities, Flora, IN:
3:21:14 “We got a lot of neighbors around here, not too many
super close, but you know they live here and we got hogs here too, and
we have to work together. And this is something I just wanted to
do to be neighbor friendly.” (:15)
Narrator:
ONCE A NEW PORK FACILITY IS UP AND RUNNING, YOU MAY NOT NOTICE MUCH
ACTIVITY OUTSIDE, OTHER THAN AN OCCASIONAL VISIT FROM A FEED TRUCK OR A
TRUCK MOVING ANIMALS TO A NEW LOCATION.
Wayne Williams, Clinton County Commissioner:
1:42:30 “We’re the 2nd largest pork producing county in the
state, have been for many, many, many years and we’ve got people and
hogs that have been living here together for a long time with very
little conflict and very little problem.” (:11)
Narrator:
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR PORK PRODUCERS, THERE IS AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF
ACTIVITY NOT ONLY IN CARING FOR THE ANIMALS, BUT IN MONITORING EVERY
ASPECT OF THEIR FARM.
THIS INCLUDES DAILY INSPECTIONS OF WATER LINES, WEEKLY INSPECTIONS OF
MANURE STORAGE AND EQUIPMENT, ON-FARM VISITS FROM INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT INSPECTORS, AND ACTIVITY AND COMPLIANCE
REPORTS BACK TO IDEM. KEEPING UP WITH ALL THESE TASKS IS
ESSENTIAL TO A WELL-RUN, SUCCESSFUL FAMILY PORK PRODUCING OPERATION,
AND IT’S JUST PART OF THE DEDICATION PORK FARM FAMILIES HAVE TO BEING
GOOD NEIGHBORS.
Bob Bridges, Mayor, City of Rushville, IN:
1:23:27 “I think that we have to go out here and educate the
public that the pork producers are a very educated group of people,
they know what they’re doing, they’re highly regulated. 1:23:55
Are knowledgeable of what they’re doing and they will not intentionally
be harmful to anyone.” (:23)
Mike Veenhuizen, President, Livestock Engineering Solutions:
1:12:27 “I am impressed with the commitment that a pork producer puts
into their job. They're, they take pride in what they're doing
and they really take pride in being a positive part of their small
community and a positive part of the industry itself and in their own
operation, they really have expressed a high level of professionalism,
they take their job seriously, and they take their responsibilities
seriously as it relates to both their objectives and the regulatory and
environmental responsibilities.” (:41)
Narrator:
THE OPPORTUNITY IS CLEAR: GROWING PORK PRODUCTION CAN HELP RE-VITALIZE
INDIANA’S RURAL ECONOMY AND PRESERVE OUR FARM FAMILY TRADITIONS – WHILE
AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING THE STATE’S ENVIRONMENT.
INCREASING PORK PRODUCTION NOT ONLY BENEFITS PORK PRODUCERS, IT KEEPS
FARM FAMILIES ON THE LAND AND BENEFITS GRAIN FARMERS, AS WELL AS ALL
THE BUSINESSES ON MAIN STREET. IT EVEN HELPS YOU….IN WAYS YOU
MIGHT NOT THINK OF.
Wayne Williams, Clinton County Commissioner:
1:40:10 “People probably do not realize the tax base that we can
have off these confinement buildings where there are hogs or other
kinds of livestock. Many of our pork producers, our larger pork
producers here, will pay 20, 30 maybe even closer to 40 thousand
dollars a year in property tax, which is quite a little bit, and one of
the nice things about that is you really don’t have a lot of expenses
as county government with that.” (:26)
Narrator:
THE PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS GENERATED BY A QUAD PORK BARN ARE
DOLLARS THAT HELP FUND YOUR COMMNITY’S SCHOOLS, ROADS, AND LOCAL
SERVICES.
THEREFORE, AN INCREASE IN INDIANA’S PORK PRODUCTION PROVIDES REAL
BENEFITS TO A VAST SEGMENT OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE SO MANY OF US
LIVE AND WORK.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF A PORK FARM IN YOUR
AREA, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT YOUR PORK PRODUCING NEIGHBORS, CALL
INDIANA PORK AT (317) 872-7500, OR VISIT THE WEBSITE:
INDIANAPORK-DOT-ORG
INDIANA PORK PRODUCERS: HELPING TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES.
The End
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