Wisconsin Soybean Association



Wisconsin Ag News Headlines
Walker Discusses Dairy, Taxes & Energy Policy with Ag Media
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/29/2014

Despite the effects that last year's drought conditions are having on milk production this year, the state's dairy industry can still achieve annual milk production levels of 30 billion pounds by the year 2020. That's what Governor Scott Walker told agriculture reporters during a question-and-answer gathering in his office at the State Capitol on Wednesday. Addressing questions regarding the possibility of not fulfilling the goals of the Dairy 30x20 program, which awards grant money to farmers looking to boost output by improving efficiency or through expansion, the governor said the industry will likely get back on its feet in time.

"But they [farmers] will have to be aggressive in doing so," Walker said. "Last year I mentioned that Wisconsin was importing about 10-percent of its milk from other states in order to meet the demand for cheese production. That figure is probably closer to 15-percent now. But we can get there by growing our operations and helping farms become more productive and efficient."

The USDA's April milk production report shows that Wisconsin's total output has been lower than year-ago levels for six consecutive months. Poor feed quality and higher cull rates are mainly to blame for the drop in production.

Walker was also pleased to see the long awaited Implements of Husbandry bill come across his desk this spring. The governor said he understands that if Wisconsin is going to grow one of it's most important industries, farmers are going to need the ability to haul their equipment on local roadways.

"It's going to take dairy farmers of all sizes to meet our goals and that will involve some larger types of equipment. I think the jury is still out on how the Implements of Husbandry legislation will impact farmers, but folks are telling me they were happy that 'something' has been started... it will take some time to get everything balanced, however."

The governor also expressed his desire to keep pushing for lower taxes. He cited the fact that property taxes are lower now than when he first took office; and said he will strive to keep pushing them lower over the next four years. He added that the use-value assessment law will remain in place for as long as he is in office. But when pressed about how lower taxes could potentially hurt funding for rural school districts, he responded by saying that less taxes would in turn boost local economic activity.

When asked about his plans to fill the shortages of technical jobs in the state, Walker said he likes how the medical community offers programs that provide financial incentives and college loan forgiveness to graduates who choose to stay in Wisconsin to work.

"Something like that could be done for agriculture and other technical industries. It's something I would definitely consider," he said.

The state's gaps in broadband Internet connectivity is something Walker still plans to address if re-elected governor later this year. He said he doesn't like to have the government provide the types of services that private industry would be better suited to handle, but said he realizes that local telecom firms may not be able to profitably wire all areas of the state--especially up north where there's a lot of forestland and long stretches of sparsely populated areas.

Walker said he has not forgotten about this past winter's propane crises.

"When I was asked to chair the Midwest Governor's Association, I said I would only agree to it if I could make the propane issue one of my key agenda items," Walker touted. "I think we can do much more to make propane more accessible so we don't have issues like this past January and February."

One of his ideas would be to create local propane reserve facilities so local communities could tap into an emergency supply, much like the federal government has for oil and petroleum. He went on to say that Wisconsin, and the nation as a whole, could do much more to boost its alternative energy sources like wind, solar and biofuels.

And finally the Republican Walker said he embraces the fact that a high number of legislative districts will see new faces next year. With a much higher number of lawmakers not running for re-election this November, the governor said he would rather see politicians treat their jobs as an act of service than a life-long career.


Other Wisconsin Headlines
Pipping Concrete
Freudenthal Manufacturing
Copyright © 2024 - Farms.com. All Rights Reserved.