America`s Dairyland is hurting and Wisconsin seeks solutions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — America`s Dairyland is hurting and a new task force plans to spend the next year figuring out how to save the industry that`s integral to Wisconsin`s economy and identity.

Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday announced creation of the task force tasked with coming up with recommendations to save the Wisconsin dairy industry, which pumps $43.3 billion into the state`s economy every year, accounts for nearly 80,000 jobs and produces roughly 14 percent of the nation`s milk — second only to California...

...Wisconsin lost 500 dairy farms in 2017 while the total number of milk-cow herds is down about 20 percent from five years ago....

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Ken Notes: CAFO`s reduce cost exponentially and increase milk production while thriving on lower prices. We need to require better environmental controls like digestion and pasteurization at these facilities which will level the playing field and slow the tide. Our small farms provide jobs and stability in the industry we need to support these farmers.

I like the idea of a task force, but if they become advocates for only larger farms we are defeating the need for diverse agriculture in the state.