Madison - After waiting for six years, a third-generation Rock County dairy producer now must wait for a decision from the Court of Appeals to approve his siting application.

The Rock County Circuit Court recently handed down a decision in a case involving Larson Acres and considering the authority of the Wisconsin Livestock Facility Siting Review Board to remove conditions on the farm imposed by the local government that conflicted with the law.  "The judge’s decision is incorrect and leads to an illogical result that the legislature and Governor never intended when the Livestock Siting Law was passed and signed into law," said Laurie Fischer, executive director of the Dairy Business Association.  "We are confident that the Court of Appeals will get it right and will fully support the Larson’s and the Livestock Facility Siting Review Board's appeal.  Wisconsin’s dairy industry is the one bright spot in an otherwise bleak economy; the Livestock Siting Law is an imperative component of moving our dairy industry and state economy forward."

The suit was filed against the Livestock Facility Siting Review Board by the Town of Magnolia and eight residents of the Rock County township.  The plaintiffs asked the court to decide if the Livestock Facility Siting Review Board had the authority to strike zoning conditions imposed by a local political subdivision when those conditions are not provided for by the Livestock Siting law.  The judge’s decision recognized that it would likely be appealed so the court let stand the Siting Review Board’s decision while the case is on appeal.

The Dairy Business Association is an industry organization comprised of dairy producers, corporate and allied industry supporters.  DBA promotes the growth and success of all dairy farms in Wisconsin by fostering a positive business and political environment.