Turkeys upset neighbors

[JABIII]

Apr. 17, 2007

Turkey farm plan upsets neighbors

Third-generation farmer wants to raise 28,000 birds on Kershaw County property

By MARJORIE RIDDLE
mriddle@thestate.com

Some Fairfield County residents are fighting a proposed turkey farm near Lake Wateree.

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials say they have received more than 150 e-mails and letters opposing a plan by Jay Branham to raise 28,000 turkeys on his Flint Hill Road farm.

The state environmental agency will hold a public meeting in May to hear residents before deciding whether to issue a permit for the operation. No date has been set.

Branham already raises some cattle on his 720-acre property, which has been in his family for three generations.

“This is a business opportunity,” Branham said. “If it wasn’t safe — 100 percent environmentally safe — I wouldn’t do it.”

A concern for nearby residents — some of whom live on properties considered among the county’s priciest — is the proximity of the property to Dutchman Creek, a tributary that flows into Lake Wateree.

Turkey waste will “wash into the creek, and if we get 1 percent, it will be more than we need,” said Bill Hubert, who lives less than two miles from the farm.

Hubert said he and other neighbors already have concerns about the environmental impact of other animals being raised on the property. The addition of 28,000 turkeys “would make a bad situation worse,” he added.

Annette Murphy, who lives on Flint Hill Road less than a quarter-mile from the farm, agreed.

“Sometimes we go down to fish in Lake Wateree where Dutchman Creek empties off to,” she said. “The farm probably would be really damaging because we’re on a hill and all that water would go that way to Dutchman Creek.”

But Branham said the turkeys would be housed on roughly two acres, more than a mile away from Dutchman Creek and several miles from Lake Wateree.

“My family has a house on Lake Wateree also and has for more than 30 years,” he said. “I want my children to enjoy it the way I did, so I wouldn’t do anything to harm the lake.”

A plan, drawn up by agricultural engineers for the turkey farm, was submitted to the state environmental agency with the permit application, Branham said.

“DHEC has guidelines I fully intend to follow, and DHEC assures me there’s no harm to the environment,” he said. “The turkey farm will be perfectly safe if the management plan is followed.”

The plan addresses waste disposal and placement of the turkey operation in relation to creeks, ponds, wells and property lines.

Branham plans to raise the turkeys and send them to Prestage Farms in Cassatt for slaughter.

Bill Chaplin, an environmental health manager with DHEC, said the agency will determine within a month after the public meeting whether to grant the permit for the turkey operation. In the interim, it will do more research.

Reach Riddle at (803) 771-8435.

[2thDoc]

“DHEC has guidelines I fully intend to follow, and DHEC assures me there’s no harm to the environment,” he said. “The turkey farm will be perfectly safe if the management plan is followed.”

seems to me to be the end of the argument. what he does on his land that has no impact on the environment is his choice to make.

[Candor]

No question about it. However the argument is that most folks involved seem to think that he will impact other properties.

I don't know whether this will or won't have a significant impact.

Livestock farming practices have come under intense scrutiny in the last 5 years. How the waste is managed is a huge issue.

If someone was planning on raising 28,000 dogs, turkeys, chickens, pigs, cows, kids, rats, or roaches near my house I would have an interest in how they plan on managing and the integrity of the organization. I wouldn't fight it ignorantly but if it was a less than reputable company or a less than satisfactory management plan I would be a NIMBY.

[Catdaddy]

Twenty eight thousand is a small turkey farm. The one down the road has over 50,000. They don't need to worry about the waste. The scoop it all up off the concrete and dry it and then spread it over their fields. It's the same as 10/10/10. It's too valuable to waste this day and time.

I've turkey hunted near it a few times and there is nothing like 50,000 gobbling at one time. It really gets the wild ones fired up.

[Countrygirl]

I know Jay and I wish him and his family success; however, I will continue to write my emails in opposition to this location.

[Love2BOutdoors]

If a man/woman pays taxes on a piece of property, wants to anything on it (abidding by the law), and follows all legal parameters to such, then they should be allowed to do just that. Telling someone they can't operate a farming operation in SC, or the US, only hurts our farming society. While I have lived and enjoyed the 'river' all my life, I do not feel this farming operation is what we should fight. What about all the HOH pollution from upstream that big money backs?

For all those which oppose anyone for trying to do this (and in the right way), go buy your chicken and turkey from foriegn countries and take your chances with West Nile.

[Countrygirl]

I agree Love2B, but I will continue to oppose this location. I support local farmers, however I believe it is too dangerous for this particular location. I have no doubt that farm will be ran in accordance with all regulations because the Branham family has integrity, however I was baptized in Dutchmans Creek, fished in Dutchmans Creek with my Grandpa for the first time 25 years ago, took my daddy's boat without permission and killed his prop and foot in that creek "stump creek", caught the biggest catfish I have ever caught in that creek, and still live right down from there. (Damn that is a run on sentance!) I don't want to hurt local farmers, I also don't want the farm at that location. And it is my position and my right to keep writing my emails.

[Love2BOutdoors]

Yes it is your right as it the landowners right!!
I, too, have hit many a stump and caught fish and believe it or not shot ducks there (years ago), but the not in my backyard mentality is everywhere. If a farmer can't farm in an agricultural community, where's he going to do it, Shandon or Forest Acres? Do you have the same concerns for the ATV park on Wateree Creek w/ the posibility of sediment running into the lake, or the concern of the Catawba Basin being devistated by the recent use and want of its waters. Wateree has been nothing but a catch basin for NC pollutants for the last few years, do you really think a properly run farm over 2 miles away with all procautionary measures in place (and state mandated) is of concern when there is a mulititude of other poluutants being sent downstream.

CG, I really appreciate your concern, but fell a turkey operation is the least of Waterees problems.

[Countrygirl]

I am doing what I can to save my Lake by addressing the issues you mentioned and more. I don't want a turkey farm less than a mile from the water, I don't want to continue to be a dump site for NC, I don't want chain stores and hotels following the ATV park, but I know they are coming. I fight for what I believe in, and my emails and letters will continue. I realize we have bigger problems, however I thought this thread was about the proposed turkey farm, that is why I was specifically talking about that issue.

[Sportin' Woodies]

I support local farmers, however I believe it is too dangerous for this particular location. I have no doubt that farm will be ran in accordance with all regulations because the Branham family has integrity, however I was baptized in Dutchmans Creek, fished in Dutchmans Creek with my Grandpa for the first time 25 years ago, took my daddy's boat without permission and killed his prop and foot in that creek "stump creek", caught the biggest catfish I have ever caught in that creek, and still live right down from there. (Damn that is a run on sentance!) I don't want to hurt local farmers, I also don't want the farm at that location. And it is my position and my right to keep writing my emails.

he's building turkey houses because cows dont pay the bills. but. i dont care why he is doing. its his land. do any of you and your email gang even know how turkey waste is disposed of?
i imagine much of it will be sold and hauled to a large row crop operation somewhere in the state. the rest will be spread over his pasture. he has to constantly take soil samples to make sure he's in compliance with DHEC regs. he can't spread too close to riparian zones. the organic fertilization of his pastures will prob help runoff problems. what are you worried about?
if you want to start your environmental war, pick on somebody actually causing a problem.

and i expect you to stop eating turkey.

[Catdaddy]

Good post SW.

The one i'm familiar with probably only takes up 10 acres out of a 1000 acre farm. The spread the manure on other cropland. There is no run off. The farmer planted trees around it so no one can even see it. They raise 50000 at a time.

Again, there is no runoff to get in any ditch,stream,river,or lake.

[2thDoc]

i didn't read what SW said, but I bet he's right.

earnhardt woulda won if it weren't for montoya.

[Turd Ferguson]

WAS EARNHARDT EVEN IN THAT RACE YESTERDAY?

gobble gobble--

NIMBY rules--

[Countrygirl]

Turkey manure is not the only issue. I do not think I am starting a war you freaking idiot, I hardly consider a few emails an environmental war. I just don't want the farm on my lake. And the stop eating turkey comment, are you serious? [img]graemlins/fu.gif[/img] I realize that the farm is more than likely going to happen, and I am glad it will be ran by the Branhams if it does.

[Sportin' Woodies]

Turkey manure is not the only issue.

thats the only issue you mentioned.

I just don't want the farm on my lake.

1. the farm isnt on the lake (turkeys cant swim, houses dont float)
2. its not your lake.

I do not think I am starting a war you freaking idiot

starting a war? maybe not, but your ignorance is not helping a family farm, who most likely has enough to deal with already. when calling someone an idiot, always make sure youre not making any gross grammatical errors.

and I am glad it will be ran by the Branhams if it does.

...will be run...
people love to bitch about farms, but enjoy buying the cheapest food in the world at their local grocery store. people love to bitch about trees being cut, but wipe that ass with it every day. 3-4 times a day now on avg with the local influx of mexican cuisine. for me.

[CAMO SNOB]

You son's a bitches have gone to far this time. South carolinians have built the largest tamie duck production site in the SE and now they are building a tamie turkey house. Whats next??? tamie Doves??? [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] JK'n, carry on.

[Slaya]

Countrygirl,
Having grown up on the lake, I too have and will continue to enjoy time spent on the lake. The turkey operation should not be your focus if you want clean water on Lake Wateree. The Catawba River is a cess pool. Take a ride up above Fishing Creek and check out the refrigerators, tires, needles, and the basketballs (a small sample of the more normal items seen), I've never been up there without seeing a basketball float by. Not to mention all of the septic systems and industry along the rivers and lakes. Wonder where that sewage goes when the water gets up? Right past your dock, that's where. And now, NC wants more water from the system. All that refuse and waste will trickle on by a little slower, with less water to flush it through...