Hog farm nuisance suit leads to $1.1 million settlement

STOCKTON, Mo. -- A Cedar County couple has reached a $1.1 million settlement in a nuisance suit filed against the operators of a hog farm.

Last week, Ed and Ruth McEowen learned of the settlement, which also prevents the hog farm from any future odor releases that might negatively affect them.

The defendants in the suit included the Missouri Farmers Association, which supplied the hogs, and its insurer, Missouri Farm Bureau.

The case revealed that one of the six barns constructed for the concentrated animal feeding operations was built without a required construction permit.

Also, the barns were built closer than 1,000 feet to the McEowen's home in violation of Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations.

An attorney for the couple, Charlie Speer, said the settlement "sets the bar for future settlements."