Madison…The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced results of the 2024 Dairy Producer Survey. DATCP sent a survey to more than 5,400 bovine milk producer license holders and 1,611 responded. Senator Ballweg released the following statement:
“Almost every respondent (97%) identified their farm as family-owned and having one generation or more, and one family or more, working on their dairy farm. Whether as a senator or owner of an agribusiness, I am proud to serve these families that make up Wisconsin’s $45.6 billion dairy industry.
“Farmers are the best stewards of the land. This survey shows these farmers care about conservation with 67% having a nutrient management plan, 57% working with a conservation professional and 60% incorporating cover crop practices.
“I am glad to see several initiatives I advocated for this past session support this conservation work. Through my work on the state budget, we invested over $22 million for county conservation staffing and $3.6 million to fund nitrogen optimization grants and cover crop insurance rebates. I also authored 2023 WI Act 32 to ensure agricultural stakeholders are represented on county conservation committees.
“The survey also identified challenges for farmers such as burdensome regulations and difficulty finding labor. I am glad to see the dairy industry is already benefiting from 2023 WI Act 158, which I authored, to allow dairy haulers to carry more products, like whey, at higher weight levels. I will also continue to support the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC). Because of my work to increase access to financial aid for more students through 2023 WI Act 80, FISC students can receive Wisconsin Grants. I will continue to advocate for my proposal, 2023 SB 370, to ensure consistent funding for FISC, too.
“I look forward to building on our successes and working on these issues with partners in the dairy industry during the next legislative session.”
Senator Ballweg serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Tourism, as a member on the Joint Committee on Finance and as a member on the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council.
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