Ag exports program a win for Wisconsin dairy

By Tim Trotter, executive director

Late last year, DBA worked diligently — both in the spotlight and behind the scenes — to support adoption of a new program that would invest $5 million into export development for the Wisconsin agricultural community. 

The new program, called the Wisconsin Initiative on Agricultural Exports, aims to increase the exports of dairy, meat and other products by 25 percent within five years. The program will be run under the Center for International Agribusiness Marketing, housed in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). DATCP will also work with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. 

Half the expenditure will be committed to dairy. At least 15 percent of the funds must be used for grants. We expect more specific details of the plan to be available soon.

Even before the program made it to the floor for voting, Chad Zuleger, DBA’s associate director of government affairs, represented our members at a Joint Committee on Finance hearing, explaining the importance of the effort to the dairy community. The committee unanimously approved the funding structure, paving the way for its swift move through the full Legislature and to the governor. 

In an increasingly competitive market, the importance of growing dairy export markets is paramount. Fluid or beverage milk continues to maintain a shrinking share of the consumer beverage market. Total domestic dairy consumption is growing but fails to match the increases in milk production. 

If dairy farms continue growing, export markets are essential to maintaining a strong milk price. It is truly encouraging to see our policymakers widely commit resources to carry on Wisconsin’s storied dairy tradition and history. 

In dollars and cents, dairy farming and processing are keys to Wisconsin’s economy. Dairy’s value amounts to $45.6 billion annually, nearly half of all ag revenue, and represents 7 percent of the state’s overall economy. Tens of thousands of jobs are tied to the industry.

Allowing any sort of decline would be detrimental. This is why the ag exports program is so important. It is truly a win for farmers, processors and our rural communities. 

DBA is proud to have been a leader in bringing about this opportunity.