Wisconsin Ag Connection - Baldwin Proposes Effort to Support Cheesemakers

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Baldwin Proposes Effort to Support Cheesemakers
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/22/2018

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has introduced legislation that she hopes will support dairy product innovation, while providing resources to help cheesemakers and other dairy businesses get a start in the industry. The so-called 'Dairy Business Innovation Act' would establish regional initiatives to spur innovation in dairy businesses. It would also foster the development of new and innovative dairy products, modernize existing dairy plants and support new dairy entrepreneurs.

"Wisconsin's dairy businesses are a key driver of our state's economy, but recently our dairy farmers have faced very challenging times with an oversupply of milk and low milk prices," Baldwin said. "It's critical that farmers, cheesemakers and dairy processors have tools to innovate and develop new Made in Wisconsin dairy products to build a brighter future for our dairy farms and drive our rural economy forward."

Specifically, the bill would provide resources to serve prospective and established businesses that produce a product made from milk from a dairy animal, including farms with their own dairy production facilities and dairy processors including cheese plants, ice cream manufacturers and milk bottlers. Dairy businesses could get assistance with product innovation, marketing and branding, packaging, distribution, supply chain innovation, food safety training and consultation, dairy product production training.

Meanwhile, the measure would further assist with dairy plant modernization and process improvement.

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