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Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Farmers Union to make dairy supply management presentation

The Presidents of Wisconsin’s top two farmer organizations are working together on a dairy supply management presentation. 

Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden tells Brownfield they presented research by the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability Director Mark Stephenson to national leaders, and now along with Farm Bureau, they will share that information at the state level. Von Ruden says, “We’re going to do the same presentation, have Dr. Stephenson come along with and really look at what are some possibilities that could have happened if this would have been a part of the 2014 Farm Bill.”

Farm Bureau delegates have not supported specific supply management systems but have voted to consider them.  President Joe Bragger says his delegates clearly expressed desire for research and development of a dairy growth management system and other options to stabilize the dairy industry in Wisconsin for farmers, and it’s great to have the discussion. “Ultimately, there isn’t anything out right now to, I mean, we have certain processing plants in the United States that have things. We also have Vermont put together with their dairy commission, but our folks really want to see what’s possible, what could it be, and then carry that discussion further to see if it matches up with them.”

Von Ruden says farmers should not expect support for a supply management system like Canada has. “Their quota system, they don’t really like it, so that’s off the board. We’re not even going to look at a quota system. What we need to do is figure out how to keep supply and demand in balance, and I think that’s, you know, what Farm Bureau is looking at, too.”

February 26^th is when Bragger, Von Ruden, and Stephenson will make their presentation to the State Legislature.  Bragger says that presentation is also being sponsored by the National Farmers Organization and the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin.

The 2023 Farm Bill is right around the corner, and Von Ruden says now is the time to start looking at options, especially on the dairy side.