Public meeting tonight on Winona County’s biggest dairy farm wanting to nearly triple herd

Winona County’s biggest dairy farm wants to expand and neighbors will get a chance tonight to find out more about the plan.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)  holds a meeting at 6 p.m. at the Lewiston Community Center to review the proposal to increase Daley Farms.

The company wants to nearly triple its dairy herd from 1,700 cows to more than 4,600. It is already over the county limit of 1,500 animal units at its dairy.

Environmentalists are worried about air and water pollution which could result from a larger feedlot.

MPCA spokeswoman Cathy Rosshus said most projects like this lead to a common series of health concerns about odors, the impact on drinking water and the impact on lakes and streams.

MPCA has to approve the Daley Farms expansion before Winona County gets to vote on a zoning change.

Written comments to the agency will be accepted through Nov. 15.