Instead Of Expanding, A Cattle Feedlot Near Powell Gardens Shut Its Doors

[Sherman A1]

A cattle slaughterhouse and feedlot near Powell Gardens says has closed instead of keeping up a drawn-out legal battle over its planned expansion.

Valley Oaks Steak Company, which had been around since 2016, wanted to expand the number of cattle it finishes and processes from 600 to nearly 6,999. But the Jackson County business said in a Facebook post Monday that it shut down due to mounting costs from legal battles, and also blamed a “fear-mongering” campaign.

Residents and Powell Gardens had raised concerns about the proposed expansion’s effect on air and water quality, filing suits in Jackson County Court. Valley Oaks said that opponents threatened and slandered the company.

Powell Gardens CEO and President Tabitha Schmidt said she was disheartened about the Valley Oaks’ characterization of opposition.

https://www.kbia.org/post/instead-expanding-cattle-feedlot-near-powell-gardens-shut-its-doors

[3Hotdogs]

1. My favorite part of the linked article, 6,999 was the limit on the application because,

7,000 head of cattle would have required more monitoring.

[lastlib]

2. A great victory for the environment!

This facility is less than five miles from my house, and its odor stinks to high heaven! It would've made the neighborhood unliveable if that expansion had taken place. Powell Gardens was almost right next to it, and it would have literally had to shut down if Valley Oaks had expanded operations; the odor and pollution would have been unbearable.