Managing for Profit

New livestock facilities add tens of millions to state’s economy

It’s estimated that Illinois added more than $50 million in 2015 economic activity through livestock.  The Illinois Livestock Development Group is dedicated to doing just that.  Nic Anderson, the livestock business developer for that organization, tells Brownfield Ag News that Illinois considered more than 120 notices from farmers in 2015 to construct livestock facilities.  The notices, required by the state, are for all species, but Anderson tells Brownfield that most Illinois livestock enterprises involve hogs.

“We’ll probably add some 18,000 sows to Illinois’s inventory through new farms,” said Anderson.  Because livestock operations are not short term businesses, even with tight margins in the livestock business, Anderson says the investments reach well into the future.

AUDIO: Nic Anderson (3 min. MP3)