Valley Oaks Steak Co., located near Lone Jack, Mo., has announced that it closing its operations in Johnson County, effective immediately. In making its announcement, the company cited economics as a cause of the shutdown, as well as the backlash that the company received due to its recently announced expansion plans.
The business, which grew to nearly 1,000 cattle two years ago, applied for a permit to expand to nearly 7,000 cattle, reports KMBC News. The company said it would be among the most environmentally friendly animal feeding operations in the country. However, 141 surrounding property owners raised concerns about the expansion and filed a lawsuit. There were also concerns that the expansion would affect nearby Powell Botanical Gardens.