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Doyle: Wisconsin is Still America's Dairyland!
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/05/2008

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says there was a time in the not-so-distant past where California began making claims that they have taken over as the nation's top 'dairy state,' but that title is no longer in dispute. During the annual convention of the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association on Thursday, the governor announced that the state's agricultural exports increased by seven percent to a record $1.5 billion during the three quarters of the year--with dairy exports at a record $176 million, up 39 percent compared to the first nine months of 2007.

"The dairy producers of this state have done a remarkable job," Doyle told DBA delegates at the forum in Madison. "We are finally at a position now where Wisconsin's dairy industry is growing while California's is declining. But we can't stop here... there's more to be done."

Doyle says exports were driven by a healthy demand for cheese and butter. And cheese exports set a record value of $75 million for the first nine months of 2008, a robust 47 percent increase. He went on to report that 34 new dairy plants were opened in the state during the past year, with another 50 facilities being expanded.

Congressman Ron Kind also addressed the convention. He took time to praise the dairy industry for its accomplishments, but said Wisconsin agriculture is also in an important position to begin taking the lead in the production of renewable fuels.

"There are a lot of win-win-win opportunities for agriculture and the renewable energy industries to work together," Kind said. "With the systems we currently have in place, there's no reason why Wisconsin can't be the next Silicon Valley for the renewable energy sector of America."

Governor Doyle also touched on renewal fuels during his remarks, reminding DBA members that $4.00 gasoline prices will likely return in the future; and that proactive measures can be implemented for the state to become 'energy independent' with the right set of policies.

Also during this week's convention, a panel discussion was held about the topic of protecting quality ground water. Dennis Frame of the University of Wisconsin Discovery Farm Program; Hugh Mulliken, president of Lake Michigan Land & Water Conservation Association; and Bill Hafs, Brown County Land Conservation Department shared findings from the 2007 Karst Task Force, which showed the amount of soil that lays on a field's bedrock has to be carefully looked at when determining where and when to spread animal waste.

"The solutions to these issues are 'not' more regulations and increased involvement from agencies," Frame stated. "It's about working with the producers and encouraging them to implement 'effective' nutrient management plans that they can work with in a reasonable manner."

The Dairy Business Association also honored out-going Rep. Barb Gronemus from Whitehall with its Lifetime Achievement Award. U.S. Senator Herb Kohl was given the DBA Leadership Award. And Molly Jahn, Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agriculture, was the Communicator of the Year.

Beforing adjourning, members elected Jim Winn from South Wayne as a 'producer member' to its board, and Jen Keuning of Conestoga-Rovers and Associates as a 'corporate member.' DBA President Jerry Meissner of Chili was also elected for another term on the panel.


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