A Door County dairy farm’s herd could double in size by 2026, according to a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit receiving a hearing next month.

S&S Jerseyland Dairy, owned by the Schmidt family near Maplewood, looks to increase the number of animal units on its operation from 7,156 to 14,711 by March 2026. That is the equivalent of 9,200 cows, 560 heifers, 1,500 small heifers, and 1,575 calves. It would put them on par with other large dairies in Kewaunee County.

Of greater concern to some residents is the over 95 million gallons of manure the farm is expected to produce, up from the almost 47 million gallons the site produces now. According to documents from the DNR, Jerseyland Dairy has 9,256 acres approved in its nutrient management plan, including more than 7,000 approved for manure spreading, depending on the time of year. In addition to its anaerobic digester on site, S&S Jerseyland Dairy has 191 days of liquid manure storage space, 11 more days than the DNR’s mandated minimum of 180 days.

There is pushback from groups like the Friends of the Forestville Dam, which says the agricultural run-off over the top of thin soils and fractured bedrock has damaged the Ahnapee Watershed, which flows through much of Door and Kewaunee counties. The DNR has pre-approved the WPDES permit, but they will hold a virtual public hearing on February 7th at 10 a.m. You can click on this link to preregister for the hearing.