Minnesota’s mega-dairy movement crosses paths with public scrutiny

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is hosting virtual meetings July 28 about the growing influence of large-scale dairy operations.

On the heels of a controversial decision, the public is asked to share its views about this aspect of corporate consolidation. The state says it is gathering input in response to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s move to not require an environmental impact study for a proposed mega-dairy expansion near Morris.

Joe Neaton, an independent farmer from Watertown who used to raise dairy cattle, is among those who question why the project is not getting a higher level of scrutiny.

“People don’t understand that farms are very important to our state’s economy and the rural communities. And when you put all of it in one spot, it empties out another spot, a big hole in the state,” Neaton noted.

Neaton pointed out it is not just environmental concerns like manure management. Neaton explained dairy farming involves a lot of jobs, like machinery techs and veterinarians, who are employed across rural areas. He warned industrial operations have the resources to keep such functions in-house.

The Pollution Control Agency said the Morris project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects. The project in question is proposed by Riverview Dairy, which is gaining a larger foothold in western Minnesota and the Dakotas. Its Morris plans involve boosting the operation by more than 10,000 cows.

Matthew Sheets, policy organizer for the conservation group the Land Stewardship Project, lives in Morris and suggested large expansions and the side effects they create are hard to address once they become final.

“Once it’s consolidated, they’re just at the whims of these handful of people who control these corporations and just want more money,” Sheets contended.

Sheets added because of the large amount of feedback solicited by the agency, the state missed an opportunity to learn more about the effects of mega-dairies.

There are still more regulatory hurdles for Riverview at the state and local levels. The company said its plans represent a long-term investment in the Morris area, supporting local jobs and local businesses.