"Close alignment" on effort to grow large animal agriculture industry in North Dakota

(Fargo, ND) -- There is a push right now in Bismarck to expand North Dakota's livestock industry. 

"You see a very close alignment between the North Dakota House, the North Dakota Senate, and the Governor is trying to do something about the absence of large animal agriculture in the state of North Dakota," said Senate Majority Leader David Hogue. 

Hogue tells WDAY's New First the state does not have a competitive advantage, and is losing ground to states like Minnesota and South Dakota when it comes to establishing larger dairy, swine, and poultry operations. Hogue says "antiquated laws" make it hard for ranchers to set up and run large-scale operations.