Act Now: Stop This Oregon Factory Farm Before It’s Built

A group of cattle looks up towards the camera from inside a crowded indoor feedlot. The animals are confined here until sent to slaughter.

Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals

Act Now: Stop This Oregon Factory Farm Before It’s Built

Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals

Your voice is needed right now: The fight to stop Columbia River Ranch’s factory farm in Central Oregon is heating up! If you live in Oregon, please send a public comment to [email protected] by August 4 (scroll down for a sample message).

This proposed beef feedlot plans to confine 3,500 cows in crowded conditions that will cause immense suffering. That’s nearly 7000% larger than the average U.S. beef farm. 

Last month, we shared the threats this proposed factory farm poses to animals, local communities, and our environment. Thanks to Oregon community advocates like you who took action, we recently won a significant victory: the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) corrected a serious undercount in the proposed Columbia River Ranch’s water usage. Initially, this massive facility’s water needs were underestimated by a staggering 50,000 gallons a day—in a drought-stricken area with fragile groundwater resources.

This progress shows the power of grassroots advocacy. But the fight isn’t over yet!

Approving this factory farm permit would have devastating consequences for farm animal welfare, nearby rural communities, and Oregon’s beautiful shared environment. 

Take Action

Want to help? Submit a public comment by August 4 at 5 p.m. PT, asking ODA to deny Columbia River Ranch’s proposed permit! 

If you don’t live in Oregon but know a compassionate person who does, please encourage them to send in their comment as soon as possible!

Your voice is crucial, and every comment makes a difference. Feel free to use our sample message below or write in your own words.

Sample Comment Email: 

Email Recipient: [email protected]  

Email Subject: Attn: Columbia River Ranch Comments

Email Body: 

Dear Oregon Department of Agriculture,

I strongly urge you to deny the permit for Columbia River Ranch.

This industrial operation seeks to confine 3,500 cows. That’s nearly 7000% larger than the average U.S. beef farm. It would also draw 84,000 gallons of water daily from Oregon’s Upper Deschutes Basin, a groundwater mitigation area already struggling with drought and overuse. This level of water extraction is unsustainable and threatens the health of the entire watershed.

In addition to animal welfare and water usage concerns, this facility would:

  • Jeopardize the health and safety of nearby communities through air and water pollution 
  • Put Cove Palisades State Park, a treasured natural and recreational area Oregonians adore, at risk of harm 

Approving this permit would directly undermine Oregon’s commitments to protecting water resources, safeguarding public health, and advancing animal welfare.

Please protect Oregon’s people, ecosystems, and animals by rejecting this permit.

Sincerely,
 [Your Name]
 [Your Address]
 [City, State ZIP]