Special Report

A opportunity to sell Wisconsin agriculture

With some 70,000-plus visitors from more than 90 countries, World Dairy Expo is a showcase for Wisconsin and the state’s dairy industry. Ben Brancel is Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; he has used Expo as a golden opportunity to sell Wisconsin agriculture. “The other night we had supper with, going around the table, a gentleman from Columbia, a woman from Brazil, a guy sitting next to me from Malaysia, across the table was China, Taiwan and Japan. China, Taiwan and Japan…these are countries that normally don’t see eye-to-eye on any policy but they were laughing and joking with each other but they’re all here for the purpose of purchasing items for their dairy industries.” Brancel puts it, “It looks like the cow has developed some pretty good relationships in Asia.” He says they are looking for everything dairy, genetics, feed, technology, quality equipment and such.

As a result of such efforts, Wisconsin agricultural exports for the first six months of this year are up ten percent compared to a year ago at $1.6 billion. Dairy exports are up 23 percent at a $283 million pace for the year. The Secretary notes what is really interesting in those numbers, “We gained that even though ethanol, which is our largest trading product, fell 46 percent.” When the largest item falls that much yet overall exports are up 10 percent, “that says we’re doing very well in a lot of areas.”

As one looks around World Dairy Expo, everything is geared toward growth in the industry and Brancel says his department is committed to doing everything possible to make sure Wisconsin is leading that growth.

AUDIO:Brancel describes the opportunity 8:29 mp3