Residents on both sides of Manitoba–U.S. border urge province to halt planned ‘mega’ dairy farms

Concerned residents from both sides of the Manitoba–U.S. border gathered in Winnipeg on Wednesday to issue a stark warning about a proposed mega-dairy farm development in North Dakota. They say the farms could have devastating consequences for the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.

The two large-scale farms are planned for the communities of Hillsboro and Abercrombie, North Dakota. Together, they are expected to house more than 37,000 cows and produce as much waste as a city of 1.5 million people.

That waste would be rich in phosphorus and nitrogen—two key contributors to the formation of toxic blue-green algae. This same species of algae has become increasingly common in Lake Winnipeg in recent years.

Riverview llp, the owner of the proposed farms did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday but had previously told CityNews that their goal was to be a good neighbour, and that all manure or waste will be stored on-site. 

“Blue-green algae—while not all of it, a lot of it—contains really dangerous toxins, harmful to humans, animals, and all life that depends on Lake Winnipeg,” said Vicki Burns, director of the Save Lake Winnipeg Project.

Burns stressed that while there is still time to protect the lake from further algae bloom outbreaks, immediate action is required. She and others are calling on all levels of government to intervene and stop the proposed farms from moving forward.

“We need to let our governments know that this is a really important issue,” she said. “We want them to engage in serious discussions with our southern neighbours to ensure this terrible threat does not proceed.”

Of particular concern is the location of the farms’ waste storage lagoons—planned to be built just over a kilometre from the Red River, which flows directly into Lake Winnipeg. Members of the Dakota Resource Council say the environmental risk far outweighs the potential business gains.

“From a business point of view, it makes perfect sense,” said Madeline Luke of the Dakota Resource Council. “But from a biological, animal health, and water quality perspective, it’s probably not a good idea.”

Minister Moyes said in a statement to CityNews:

“The health of lake Winnipeg and our waterways is a top priority for us. I am aware of plans south of the border that could increase nutrient levels here in Manitoba.  To ensure we have a full picture of the potential impacts on the lake, I requested that the international joint commission’s international red river watershed board engage with north Dakota on impact mitigation. We are exploring every avenue to protect lake Winnipeg for generations to come.”