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Variance would make Renville County feedlot the state's largestOLIVIA, Minn. (AP)--The Revier Cattle Company plans to expand its beef cattle feedlot in Norfolk Township to hold 10,500 head of cattle, making it the largest feedlot in the state. Renville County officials approved a variance for the expansion March 14, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has already issued a permit. The company still needs a conditional use permit from the county. Revier Cattle Company currently holds 4,500 head of cattle in open lots and partially enclosed barns. The company plans to invest $4 million to build two total confinement barns. Each will be about 420 feet by 200 feet and will hold 3,000 head of cattle. Total confinement buildings for cattle are relatively new in Minnesota, said Tom Revier, of Revier Cattle. He pointed out some advantages to the facilities: Manure will be stored in pits below the buildings, where it will become liquid and injected into fields in the fall. More than 5,000 acres are already lined up for the manure. The feedlot has generated debate in the area. Officials in Norfolk Township and Henryville Township oppose the expansion, worrying about the costs of roads around the feedlot. Nearby residents worry about potential odor and water issues. The Renville County Economic Development Agency, Olivia Area Chamber of Commerce and corn and soybean producers support the expansion and its potential economic benefits. The operation will hire seven more workers and increase the amount of feedstuffs it purchases locally, Revier said. A variance was needed because Renville County placed a cap on the size of feedlots at 2,000 animal units in 1998. The Revier operation already had 4,500 head and was grandfathered in. 3/24/08 Date: 3/19/08
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