Agriculture Commons^™

Complex Effects Of Value-Added Livestock Ventures, Matthew A. Diersen

Economics Commentator

Value-added agriculture ventures are generally touted as being positive for a region’s economy. A product formerly shipped elsewhere may now be processed or modified locally or regionally, providing additional employment and related economic activity. Ethanol production, for example, disrupts the pattern of sending corn out of a region, but usually occurs where corn production is already prevalent. Consider, instead, the implications of a new livestock production facility. In this article, observations are made at the state and county levels related to livestock ventures. Kingsbury County is examined for potential effects on the production agriculture (or farming) sector. A livestock venture …