Farm groups in the state are rallying behind a new bill from GOP lawmakers that would create an innovation program across three UW System schools to bolster the state’s struggling dairy industry.
The bill, from Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Rep. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, would create a “Dairy Innovation Hub” to look at developing new dairy products and new uses for those products, as well as opening additional markets for them.
In a joint release, the state Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Farmers Union and Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin said the proposal is vital for the future of the state’s dairy community.
“Unfortunately, the dairy industry and agriculture is in crisis,” Marklein said during a news conference yesterday at the Capitol. “We’re often asked to do something about it. I believe the hub has real potential to answer this call.”
The bill would allocate $7.9 million in general purpose revenue annually to the UW-Madison, Platteville and River Falls campuses for new dairy industry innovation programs. Fifty-two percent of all funding will go to UW-Madison, while the remainder of the money would be split evenly between the other two campuses.
Marklein said the hub is meant to attract “world-class researchers” who will help steward the environment, improve nutrition, care for animals and grow dairy businesses.
“It’s important to point out that the Dairy Innovation Hub is not about increasing production,” Marklein said.
Tranel, a dairy farmer himself, said the bill is a long-term solution and is “not gonna help overnight.”
The dairy industry has seen a steady decline in milk prices since late 2014, and hundreds of dairy farms closed last year at a rate of nearly two a day, while others are struggling to stay in business.
“Today, the challenges facing our farmers, processors and others are increasingly complex and the stakes could not be higher,” said Tom Crave, president of the Dairy Business Association. “It’s critical that we remain at the forefront through next-generation research.”
Marklein and Tranel said the idea for the bill originated from the Dairy Task Force 2.0, formed by former Gov. Scott Walker last year with the goal of creating a profitable dairy industry.
Both lawmakers said they hoped the legislation could be incorporated into the final budget bill.
Evers spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff said the guv recognizes “the importance of continued research, innovation, and development for our state’s dairy industry.”
“That’s why The People’s Budget includes a number of important initiatives, like a $150 million investment in the UW System, portions of which could be used for the proposed Dairy Innovation Hub,” she said.
See a WisEye video of the news conference:
http://www.facebook.com/WisconsinEye/videos/2121590811290740/
