The McLeod County Board voted unanimously Tuesday (May 6) to approve a conditional-use permit allowing Skyview Dairy, about two miles east of Hutchinson, to expand from 1,620 to 2,582 animal units.

The state Pollution Control Agency is reviewing two additional state-required permits before the Luthens family-owned farm can begin its expansion. The farm has 1,157 dairy cows and wants to grow to 1,850 cows. The plan also includes the addition of three total confinement barns and two pole barns.

On April 16, the Hutchinson Area Joint Planning Board recommended approval of the permit. Some of the conditions to the permit include:
• obtaining and keeping all other necessary federal and state permits current,
• review of the permit by McLeod County, Hutchinson and Hassan Valley Township officials every three years or upon change of ownership,
• maintaining a state-compliant manure management plan on file with McLeod County Environmental Services, and
• limiting manure spreading in the Joint Planning Area to between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Garrett Luthens — son of farm founder Daryl Luthens — and one of five siblings involved in Skyview’s operation, said the farm limits manure spreading to twice a year and works with neighbors to schedule spreading at the least obtrusive times.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)