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It isn’t easy to get up
before the sun does, day after day. It isn’t easy to work on seemingly
endless rounds of milking in the parlor. It isn’t easy to clean the barn, or
tend to the field work, or care for the calves. Frankly, the work Wisconsin
dairy farmers do, day in and day out, is callous-building and back-breaking.
But, it is also a labor of love, one that most farmers take a lot of pride
in doing.
This is why I get excited each year when June rolls around. In case you
didn’t know, June is Dairy Month. It’s a time to get together with friends
at local dairy breakfasts, possibly enjoy one-too-many ice cream sundaes,
and to celebrate an industry that has played such an integral role in the
story of many farm families and in the economic development of the State of
Wisconsin.
This year, we all have a lot to celebrate and of which to be proud.
A report was just released, showing that Wisconsin cheesemakers continue to
lead the nation in the craft cheese department, with a record-setting year
of production of cheeses like feta, blue, and provolone. Overall, the amount
of dairy exported from Wisconsin has increased almost 103 percent in the
past year, totaling $65 million in sales. (Take note, California, our cows
must be pretty happy, too!)
This sort of growth doesn’t happen on its own; much like running a farm,
there’s a lot of hard work and personal investment involved. Studies show
that Wisconsin’s dairy processors have spent an estimated $500 million in
the last year, to modernize their operations. In the process, they’ve opened
up more than 30 new dairy plants and have expanded 54 existing plants.
The State of Wisconsin is supporting their efforts, too. I was proud to be
part of a bipartisan push this past legislative cycle to create the “Buy
Local, Buy Wisconsin” program, which promotes the sale of locally produced
foods. I’ve also worked to expand the dairy manufacturing investment credit,
so that local co-ops can claim the funding.
These sorts of investments, both on the individual level and on the part of
the state, fuel our economy and create many jobs. You might not realize it,
but the dairy industry has a $20.6 billion annual economic impact in
Wisconsin. Again, I have to say, it’s success worth celebrating.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Trempealeau County
Dairy Breakfast in rural Arcadia. It was a great event and I want to thank
the John & Kay Wiemer family for being this years host in Trempealeau
County. The Pepin County Dairy Breakfast will be held on the farm of Doug &
Toni Knoepke. The location can be found six miles east of Durand on Forster
Rd. The Buffalo County Dairy Breakfast will be held June 26th on the farm of
Randy & Deb Rotering off CTH S, on Rotering Rd. near Alma. If you have not
attended a dairy breakfast yet, these upcoming events provide a good
opportunity to do so.
It is important to appreciate the work accomplished this year in Wisconsin
Agriculture. So, this Dairy Month, I’d encourage you to pick up an extra
chunk of cheddar or tub of Rocky Road at the grocery store and toast our
farmers on hard work, well done!
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