Official explains 'livestock friendly'

Red Willow County can declare itself "livestock friendly," but, according to a representative of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, there are benefits to having an outsider call the county "livestock friendly."

The county can promote itself as being receptive to livestock enterprises, said Richard Sanne, who spoke to the county's planning commission Wednesday evening about agriculture promotion and development by the state's department of agriculture. But, Sanne told commission members, "There is some credibility associated with an independent, knowledgeable outside source saying you're livestock friendly."

Sanne explained in detail the state's "Livestock Friendly County" program that promotes and supports Nebraska's livestock industry. "The purpose is to nurture and support the livestock sector of the state," Sanne said. "Agriculture is the 100 percent economic driver in the state," Sanne said, and 65 percent of agriculture is livestock.

"We're losing dairy and pork production in the state," he said. Beef is holding its own within the state, he explained, but added that Nebraska beef nationwide is losing ground.

Sanne said that there has been some confusion and misconceptions about the program. Planning commission chairman Dan Wallen said his first impression was that there was "no way" Red Willow County could comply with its regulations.

The program is not intended to drive every county into cookie-cutter compliance, Sanne said, telling Wallen that he has looked at Red Willow County's zoning regulations and feels that they would meet the program's requirements. "The department would not ask you to change anything," he said. "There's nothing that wouldn't fit the purpose of the program."

Sanne explained that although the program regulations contain some specific numbers about zoning setbacks, types of operations and prevailing winds, among other things, they are examples, not requirements . "There has been so much confusion," he admitted. "These are examples, not a must-do list."

Sanne continued, "These regulations aren't demanding that you meet these numbers, that you change your zoning to comply with each number."

Sanne said there are benefits to being included in the program, although financial incentives were not written into the legislation approved by then-Gov. Mike Johanns in 2004. As people are looking at Nebraska as a possible location for their livestock operations, they are contacting the Department of Agriculture for a list of counties with the "livestock friendly" designation, Sanne said. "There is the potential for development you might not have otherwise."

Committee member Sue Doak told Sanne and her fellow committee members, "It's the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's job to represent us whether we participate in the program or not. We're still as livestock friendly as we can be." Doak continued, "I'm too grouchy and too danged independent, or it sounds like blackmail: 'Fill it out or we won't tell people you're nice.'"

The department will promotes all of Nebraska's agricultural industry, Sanne said. It will not promote only those counties that join the program, he assured Doak. "The advantage is not so much in the Department doing the promoting, but in (situations) when people come to us and ask us who they can contact."

Doak said, "We have an active EDC (economic development corporation). How many layers do we need?"

What happens, Doak asked, when the hoops the county jumps through to join "becomes a noose." Sanne told her the program is voluntary, and a county can withdraw at any time.

Commission member Mike Daffer said he sees the program as another tool to promote the county. "We submit what we have, and if it's fine, then we get the designation," Daffer said. "If it's not, we still have our (zoning) regulations in place as adopted, and we still have our self declaration."

The county bypassed the state's program and declared itself "livestock friendly" in March, acting under the belief that the program would require changes in the county's existing zoning regulations.

Commissioner Leigh Hoyt told Sanne that Red Willow County's boards are already "very livestock oriented," and that he is against "big government coming in and telling us what to do." Hoyt said he wants to maintain local control.

Sanne replied, "This program does not take that away from you. There is nothing in the statutes to take zoning control away from you. You're not giving up anything."

Rex Nelson, director of McCook's EDC told board members he sees the state's designation as an advertising tool. "Why wouldn't you advertise?," he asked.

Nelson said there would also be advantages to clusters of counties with the livestock friendly designation. There would be some merit, he said, is working together as a region, promoting all of Southwest Nebraska. "Everyone wins," he said.

Commission member Mike Kircher said the programs regulations "scare people." "But now that you tell us these are examples, I get it now," he said.

Sanne encouraged officials to read the regulations for what they are and think, "Oh, why wouldn't we do this?"

Planning commission members will discuss the program further at their next meeting.