North Dakota has passed a bill that modernizes the state’s corporate farming law in order to spur growth in animal agriculture. Governor Dough Burgum signed the bill this week, saying it will “take the handcuffs off our farmers and ranchers and allow capital investment to to flow into our state.”

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring noted that in neighboring states, 40% to 50% of agriculture receipts come from livestock, while only 16% to 18% do in North Dakota. The bill (House Bill 1371) provides more tools to support animal agriculture amongst family farmers and ranchers.

Effective immediately, the bill passed with a non-partisan vote of 77-20 in the House and 41-5 in the Senate.

Read more on the corporate farming bill in North Dakota here.