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Wisconsin farmer supports Dairy Revitalization proposal

A northcentral Wisconsin dairy farmer likes the proposed Dairy Revitalization Plan authored by two University of Wisconsin economists.

James Juedes is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and Farm Bureau member who operates Pleasant View Dairy with his wife near Ringle, Wisconsin.  Juedes tells Brownfield he supports the proposal written by Mark Stephenson and Chuck Nicholson. “I think it’s really good. I think they’ve put a lot of time and effort into it and the numbers speak for themselves, and I think that’s where this is going to be successful is because the numbers are there to back up what we are trying to get accomplished.”

The proposal would limit growth by requiring producers who expand beyond guidelines to pay a market access fee that would be distributed to the other farmers who stayed within limits.

Juedes says the Dairy Revitalization Plan is not like Canada’s quota system, which also makes it difficult for new or next-generation farmers to enter the dairy business. “This is completely about growth management. We’re not saying you can’t grow or you can’t expand, but we have to do it in a smart way in order to make sure that we stay profitable through all sectors of the farming spectrum.”

Juedes says if the concept is adopted, the implementation language will have to be carefully written to prevent loopholes that defeat the purpose of the program.  He’s hoping the changes can become part of the next farm bill.

Brownfield interviewed Juedes after a presentation explaining the Dairy Restoration Plan in Abbotsford, Wisconsin Wednesday. Local Farm Bureau and Farmers Union chapters are hosting more informational meetings in Cashton, Wisconsin Thursday, March 24th, and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Friday, March 25th.

James Juedes discusses the Dairy Revitalization Plan with Brownfield’s Larry Lee 3/23/22

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