Two national farm leaders called for federal protection for large-scale hog confinements such as the Smithfield operation that faces a federal jury’s order to pay $473.5 million to neighbors of North Carolina hog farms who had complained of odors and illnesses, Successful Farming reported. Iowa is the nation’s largest hog producer, and the state, like many others, has moved to protect confinements from nuisance suits in certain situations. “It is time for our elected leaders to step up and stop this madness,” said Howard Hill, speaking for U.S. hog farmers. “The regulations need to be on the trial lawyers,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. A key issue the industry has faced is complaints against farms that were already there before people decided to build homes amid the farms. The Smithfield decision came on the same day farm leaders from around the country met in Raleigh to discuss how to deal with nuisance lawsuits.