Commissioners seek public input

Raising livestock at Jay County Retirement Center may not make financial sense.

But before county commissioners make any decision, they want input from the public and would like to hear some innovative new approaches.

“There’s always been cattle out there,” said commissioner Mike Leonhard. “I’d like to have a lot of public input. … I think it would be a shame to see the cows go.”

Commissioner Chuck Huffman, however, said his analysis indicates the livestock represents a losing proposition.

“Total savings, I estimate, would be just shy of $10,000 annually,” said Huffman.

Working with area farmers, Huffman estimated the expense of raising cattle on site at $18,097 per year, including feed, labor, veterinary services and butchering expense.

That’s offset by the estimated cost of buying four steers and four hogs each year and having them butchered, which Huffman said would be about $12,100.

By his calculations, the “excess cost of raising livestock on site” is $5,997. 

In addition, the 20 acres of land currently used as pasture could be rented to local grain farmers. Based on a rent of $195 per acre, that land could generate $3,900, bringing the total deficit from the livestock operation at $9,897 per year.

Huffman noted that in the 19th and 20th century, residents at the center helped with raising the cattle, but that’s no longer the case.

“What we’re hearing now is the residents just aren’t interested in doing it,” he said.

One alternative, Huffman noted, would be to get the Purdue Extension program and 4-H involved.

“But I don’t know how that would work,” he said.

“Get the FFA in on it too,” urged Leonhard.

Commissioner Barry Hudson said it might also be possible to create a community garden that would provide an activity for the center’s residents.

“Which direction do we want to go?” said Huffman.

That’s the question commissioners are posing to the public. They hope to hear comments, suggestions and new ideas at their July 7 meeting.