dairy consolidation

Wading into Hostile Waters

This Week's MPCA Meeting on Riverview Highlights the Importance of Being Allowed to Ask Authentic Questions

When debating a controversial topic in public, a well-proven trick is to never ask a question you don’t already have the answer to. That technique was on full display Tuesday evening in a packed-to-the-gills meeting held at Old No. 1 Bar & Grill in Morris, Minn. The topic at hand was a proposal by Riverview…  Read More

LSP White Paper Highlights Dairy Consolidation’s Negative Impacts in Minnesota & Calls for Direct Policy Action

Riverview Proposal Could be a ‘Game Changer’ for State’s Farmers & Rural Communities

MORRIS, Minn. — As state regulators consider an unprecedented proposal for creating the largest livestock operation in Minnesota, it’s clear a convergence of rapid consolidation, economic distress and large-scale expansion raises urgent questions about whether existing policies are adequately protecting fair competition, rural communities and public resources, argues a new white paper released by the Land…  Read More

Land Line: Riverview, Nitrogen Cuts, H20 Poll, Bridge Payments, Meatpackers & Antitrust, Gutting Emerging Farmer Support, Rural Population

Sign Up for Email Delivery of The Land Line Plan for Largest Dairy in Minnesota History Raises Water and Pollution Concerns (4/1/26) Sentient reports on Riverview’s expansion proposal that would crate the largest dairy CAFO in Minnesota. Highlights: The expansion would more than double the capacity of an existing Riverview LLP dairy facility near Morris,…  Read More

Land Line: Riverview, Community Foods, State Farm Bills, Avian Flu, Nitrogen Fertilizer, Glyphosate & Cancer, MCOOL

Proposed Dairy in Morris Would Become Minnesota’s Largest Feedlot (3/16/26) The Minnesota Star Tribune reports on a proposal to create the largest livestock operation in Minnesota. Highlights: Riverview LLP, the state’s largest milk producer, has applied for permits to build the single largest dairy and feedlot in the state’s history by expanding one of its…  Read More

LSP’s 21st Family Farm Breakfast at the Capitol Highlights the Importance of Fighting for Choices

Farmers & Others Lobbied Lawmakers on Healthy Soil, Clean Water, Sustainable Animal Ag, Farm to Kids, Land Access & Fair Markets 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Guaranteeing a brighter future for rural Minnesota is about creating the opportunity for farmers and nonfarmers to make choices, Pine County livestock producer Hannah Bernhardt told over 150 Land Stewardship Project (LSP) members and allies gathered at Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill in Saint Paul on March 11. The event…  Read More

LSP Calls for Full Environmental Review of Unprecedented CAFO Proposal in West-Central MN

Riverview Expansion Would be Nearly Double the Size of Any Existing State Livestock Operation; MPCA Comments Due by May 7

MORRIS, Minn. — The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is calling for a thorough environmental review of an unprecedented proposal that would create the largest livestock operation in the state. Riverview, LLP is proposing to expand an existing concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in Stevens County to 18,855 dairy cattle, resulting in 26,397 animal units housed…  Read More

Land Line: Bridge Payments, Food Pyramid, Farmland Prices, Riverview Dairy, CAFO Funding, Restoring Habitat, ICEing Ag, Nitrates in Winter

Bridge Payment Rates Are Here — But Are They Enough to Help Your Bottom Line? (1/7/26) Writing for Farm Progress, Joshua Baethge describes concerns that the aid package being issued to farmers in February to help them deal with damage caused by the trade war will not make up for years of mounting losses in…  Read More