11-06-2025
Organizations concerned about planned dairy farms in North Dakota and impact on watershed in Manitoba
Several organizations are joining forces to raise concerns about a potential dairy industry expansion in North Dakota that could impact the watershed in Manitoba.
There are plans for a 25,000-cow farm in Trail County and a 12,500-cow farm in Richland County, both of which would be along the Red River.
Organizations in Manitoba and North Dakota are concerned about what these farms could mean for pollution and the health of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.
'We recognize that watersheds don't respect political boundaries and that, particularly, our watershed that ends in Lake Winnipeg covers four provinces and I think two or three states in the United States. So it's a massive watershed area, and obviously, what happens in North Dakota serves to impact us here in Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg in particular,' said James Beddome, the executive director of Manitoba Eco-Network.
Madeline Luke—a retired internal medicine doctor and now a volunteer with the Dakota Resource Council—said having so many cattle in a small area that is near a significant water source can provide a number of health concerns for people and animals.
'I've come to understand the value of working in the framework of One Health. One Health is an approach that recognizes the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Unfortunately, putting 37,500 dairy cows in confined barns in two projects close to the Red River is in direct contradiction to this,' said Luke.
She warned millions of gallons of waste could end up in the Red River every year that could carry harmful bacteria like E. coli.
On top of the impact on humans, Luke said excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus could enter the water as well as hormones and antibiotics.
'Between inexact manure spreading protocols, the vagaries of flooding, spring melts and heavy rains, nutrients and other pollutants will enter the Red River and proceed downstream, ultimately ending in Lake Winnipeg.'
Vicki Burns, the director of the Save Lake Winnipeg Project, also touched on the increased nutrients in the water, saying it will lead to blue-green algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg.
'I actually grew up on the shores of Lake Winnipeg and had a cottage there. We used to swim in all kinds of pea soup algae, but that was not the blue-green algae that we need now,' said Burns. 'A lot of it contains really dangerous toxins to both humans and animals, and all life that depends on Lake Winnipeg.'
During the news conference Wednesday, speakers mentioned the International Joint Commission, which is an organization that deals with water disputes between Canada and the United States and also gives advice to governments on water management and protecting the environment.
Luke said the provincial government should bring this issue up with the commission so steps can be taken to protect Manitoba waters.
CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to the province for comment and is awaiting a response.
