The North Dakota House has voted to allow corporations to own dairy and hog operations in the state.
Those are two exceptions to North Dakota’s anti-corporate farming law.
Supporters say both the dairy and swine industries are declining in North Dakota.
"There are only 90 dairy farms in North Dakota, down from 350 just 12 years ago," said Rep. Dennis Johnson (R-Devils Lake). "We have gone from 49,000 dairy cows to 16,000. This has put our dairy processors in the position of importing milk to meet the demand, and keep their operations running to capacity."
Johnson called the bill a “win win” for the dairy and hog industry. But House Minority Leader Kenton Onstad (D-Parshall) says there are other factors that have led to the decline in those two industries.
"Marketing decisions are based on the cost of production," said Onstad. "North Dakota has a higher cost of production for the dairy industry and the swine industry. And we have a lack of processors. If we want to do something in this state, it's to bring processors to the state."
The bill passed on a 56 to 37 vote. The bill now goes back to the Senate for further work.
