Planning Commission recommends county approve feedlot expansion

Luke Scherger’s request to expand his existing feedlot from 3750 head/1125 animal units of finishing hogs to 7500 head/2250 animal units was unanimously approved by the Dodge County Planning Commission last week. The request now goes to the County Board for final approval.
Feedlots have become a controversial issue in Dodge County in recent years and last week’s public hearing had comments on both sides of the issue.
Scherger operates his feedlot in Wasioja Township and received his Conditional Use Permit in 2008 allowing him to expand his original feedlot to a capacity of 3750 head. The CUP was Phase 1 of a three-phase project and the CUP amendment represents a completion of that project, said Zoning Administrator Melissa DeVetter.
Scherger said his feedlot is managed under Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regulations and all required permits are in place.
His permit from the MPCA, DeVetter said, was recently re-issued by the agency and is good until 2021.
“As of today