Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/320427
30 | I nsIgh t • J u n e 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m i n s i g h t o n AgriBusiness B y S e a n P. J o h n s o n I n 2013 the state's dairy producers exported products valued at $399 million, a 41 percent increase from the year prior. to meet that demand, Wisconsin dairy farmers produced 27.6 billion pounds of milk, a new record for the state. It still wasn't enough. Wisconsin dairy farmers produce about 90 percent of the volume demanded by producers to make dairy products, such as cheese. In an effort to close that gap, gov. scott Walker "Our investment in Wisconsin's agriculture industry through these grants will enable these farmers to improve their profitability, and allow Wisconsin to thrive as a leader in the nation's dairy industry," Walker said in a statement. "Agriculture contributes more than 350,000 jobs to the state's economy." Wisconsin is home to nearly 10,500 dairy farms. e state ranks fourth in the nation in dairy exports. Wisconsin's dairy industry: » ranks first in the nation, at $158 million for the export of whey. » ranks second in the nation for the export of cheese in 2013 ($183 million). » tops the list for cheese production. » produces more than 13 percent of the nation's supply of milk. e top destinations for Wisconsin's dairy products include Canada, Mexico, Japan and China. While Wisconsin has seen an increase in the number of corporate dairy farms, more than 86 percent of the state's dairy farms are still owned by an individual or a family. More milk, please Wisconsin announces grants to farmers to help boost production announced a third round of grants under the Dairy 30x20 Initiative, which has a goal of state dairy farmers producing 30 billion pounds of milk by 2020. In this latest round of funding, 11 new north dairy farms will receive grants of up to $5,000 that farmers can use for a range of projects, including new facilities to improve business operations and cow comfort that will increase milk farming production, efficiency and profitability. A total of 43 grants were made statewide. » Jay Fitzgerald, Reedsville » Chad Krzewina, Crivitz » Lloyd Meyer and Larry Meyer, Chilton » Richard Navis, Cleveland » Jeffrey Pionek, Manitowoc » Dennis Rank and Josh Salentine, Luxemburg » John Reudinger, Van Dyne » Mark Ryan and Leroy Smith, Fond du Lac grants to new north farmers f n b fo x v a l l e y. c o m Member FDIC Your Business Banking Partner. Sarah Celine Photography - Appleton WI "Now I have my beautiful new studio thanks to FNB!" - Sarah Celine Elliott Tim Vogelsang VP-Commercial Banking 920.882.1672 tvogelsang@fnbfoxvalley.com