The Belleville News-Democrat reported Online last week that, “Hog producers in Illinois have already filed half as many expansion notices with state regulators as they did all of last year.
“According to the state Department of Agriculture’s website, there were 61 intent-to-construct applications filed so far in 2016. There were 122 such applications for the entirety of 2015.
“Final regulatory say on new Illinois hog farms is with the state Department of Agriculture, which notes there are usually 100 to 120 applications for new and expanded hog operations each year.”
The article indicated that, “Phil Borgic, who has a hog operation near Raymond, said the expansion is being driven by demand from consumers and improved pork prices. He said exports to Asia have played a part in heightening demand for pork from the state.”
“In 2012, Illinois was the fourth-biggest state for hog production with $1.5 billion in annual sales, per the most recent census of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”