Aerial view: Google Maps
Headline: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/26/2022
Tap water photo: Appleton Post-Crescent, 6/8/2017
Kinnard Farms is one of Wisconsin's largest dairy farms. Kewaunee County, in northeastern Wisconsin, is home to 16 industrial farms and has been struggling with agricultural pollution for years after testing showed levels of contaminants in residents' private drinking water wells. The farms are known as CAFOs, concentrated animal feeding operations.
The permit, issued by the DNR at the end of March, said Kinnard Farms could not exceed 11,369 animal units, equating to about 8,000 cows, which is the number the farm currently houses.
"An unreasonably low animal unit maximum of 11,369 animal units will prohibit Kinnard from expanding or even temporarily maintaining its herd size beyond its current level, with a loss of competitive flexibility," the petition says. "If Kinnard is restricted from increasing its herd size, Kinnard may lose revenue associated with the sale of milk from additional dairy cows." [emphasis added]
Photo credit: Progressive Dairy
This Wisconsin Dairy is Built for the Long Haul. (Dairy Herd Management, 12/18/2019)
Tending 13,000 acres of crops and a barn full of cows in the thumb of Wisconsin surrounded by water has plenty challenges.
No mention is made in this puff piece of the number of cow on this concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).
9/17/2015 update, " On June 6, 2014, employees of Michael, Best & Friedrich donated $28,046.81 to Scott Walker and $500 to Mary Burke", starts here.
DNR OKs expansion of large Kewaunee County dairy farm. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/12/2015)
The agency approved plans by the Kinnard Farms in Kewaunee County to increase the size of its cattle operations from 4,000 milking cows to 6,700 milking cows, according to Lee Kinnard.
[snip]
Kewaunee County has become a focal point of opposition of large dairy farms because of numerous instances of polluted wells in the area. Also, the county has areas of karst geography, which is formed by the breakdown of rocks and contains underground drainage systems. This type of landscape makes it easier for manure to seep through soil and enter the aquifer.
As quoted in the JS article
Photo credit: State of Wisconsin
Of related interest:
Depleted DNR's reorganization appears cosmetic, former secretary say. (Madison.com, 7/29/2015)
Wisconsin DNR mulls dissolving science bureau. (Madison.com, 4/7/2015)
Cathy Stepp tells panel DNR may sell naming rights to state parks. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/4/2015)
[Original post starts here.]
An anti-D-Day 70th anniversary celebration?
Is it any surprise that we find Lee Kinnard running into their arms.
After criticizing judge, DNR secretary declines to ‘correct’ ruling on Kewaunee dairy water permit. Wisconsin Watch, 11/25/2014)
But on Nov. 20, Kinnard, represented by the Madison law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, asked Stepp to “correct” the judge’s ruling, saying the agency lacked the legal authority to impose such permit conditions.
And that's not all folks!
Law firm knee deep in state's many hot-button issues. (Wisconsin State Journal, 1/22/2012)
As a result, the most influential three names in state politics, outside of Walker, Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald, just might be Michael Best & Friedrich.
Collective bargaining. Mining. Redistricting. Recalls. Recounts. John Doe. Ethics charges. Michael Best & Friedrich has become the go-to law firm for all of the big issues facing Republicans.
Uh-oh! I feel another song comin' on.
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