Higher milk prices helped farmers make about $1,200 per dairy cow in 2014. But prices have slipped in early 2015.

On Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, the McLeod County Board will again discuss feedlots within the Hutchinson Joint Planning Area. Previously, it approved a change in the ordinance that would allow feedlots to be built up to a half-mile from Hutchinson. Now the board will consider two proposed feedlots that will take advantage of that change if a conditional-use permit is granted.

The first feedlot, if approved by the McLeod County Board, will be at 18896 210th St., Hutchinson Township, north of Hutchinson, and the second will be at 17186 Vale Ave., Lynn Township, southwest of Hutchinson. The first request was submitted by Kevin and Kelsey Buss, and the second was submitted by Kurt Reiner and Jamie Scharfencamp.

The Buss site would use existing structures for a large animal dairy operation, which places it within a quarter-mile of residential property. Because of this, a variance will also be needed. The Hutchinson Area Joint Planning Board has recommended a conditional-use permit for 381.6 animal units.

The Reiner feedlot was found to meet the half-mile setback from Hutchinson. It is within 545 feet of the Scharfencamp residence, but because that property is listed as part of the feedlot on the application, a variance is not needed. The Hutchinson Area Joint Planning Board has recommended a conditional-use permit for the maximum capacity of 399 animal units. Kurt Reiner told the Planning Board he would likely only have around 200 animal units due to space limitations, but wanted a permit for the limit in case he added more animals.

If the County Board approves a conditional-use permit for the Reiner property, the process will be complete. If a conditional-use permit is granted for the Buss property, it will go back in front of The Hutchinson Area Joint Planning Board for recommendation for a variance. The final decision will then be made by the McLeod County Board of Adjustment.