Mount Vernon Hog Farm, Neighbors Battle Over Smell

MOUNT VERNON, S.D. (AP) — Neighbors of a large hog farm in Davison County are complaining about the smell, but the company managing the facility says it has done everything it can to diminish the odor.

Barry Kerkaert with Pipestone System says officials never promised that Jackrabbit Farms south of Mount Vernon would be odor-free. The company's attorney says Pipestone has done what the county and neighbors have asked, including spending $30,000 on biofilters.

Neighbor Lyle Reimnitz says he was told before construction that the hog facility would smell less than 2 percent of the time, and that hasn't been the case.

The Daily Republic reports the two sides met with county commissioners this week but commissioners took no action. Commissioner Denny Kiner says he thinks the two sides are making progress in discussions.

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