The North Dakota Soybean Growers Association supports the current version of the corporate farming bill as it passed out of the House of Representatives.
Should this bill pass, it would protect family farmer and rancher control of livestock production, while allowing for the infusion of capital that many say would energize animal agriculture in our state.
HB 1371 limits any one corporation to owning 160 acres and prevents any shareholder from investing in more than 640 acres of animal feeding operations. The bill also prohibits these new entities from growing crops or grazing livestock in North Dakota. HB 1371 will promote responsible growth in animal agriculture, adding value to North Dakota soybeans and other crops.
(Kasey Bitz is the president of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and a LaMoure, North Dakota, farmer.)
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