New Corporate-Farming Law May Boost Hog Production in Kansas. (Originated from The Wichita Eagle, Kansas)

Apr. 8--Proponents of corporate hog farming won a victory Thursday that they'd sought for years when Gov. Joan Finney signed legislation allowing corporations to own hog-production facilities or contract with farmers to raise company-owned hogs.

Supporters of the new exemption to Kansas' corporate-farming law said it will help stop a 10-year decline in hog production in the state. Opponents said that it will hurt independent hog farmers and that they were surprised by Finney's approval. She vetoed a similar bill last year.

"I'm very excited about what she's done. The Kansas pork industry should feel very good about her decision," said Sharon Schwartz, a Washington …