Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation: Dairy policy summit set for Aug. 18

Contact: Jeff Lyon, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, 608-828-5713

Shelly Mayer, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, 262-644-0855

MADISON – With 2012 Farm Bill discussions already underway, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin will host a Dairy Policy Summit for all dairy farmers and persons with an interest in the success of the dairy industry.

The “Dairy Policy Summit – A Road Map to Success” is scheduled for Aug. 18 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. It will feature speakers discussing dairy policy options that will make the dairy industry more market-orientated to meet the changing needs in domestic and international markets.

“The dairy industry is at a crossroads. We will either produce for the market or have the government attempt to manage supply,” said Bill Bruins, dairy farmer and Wisconsin Farm Bureau President. “I believe that proposed policy changes will have a greater impact on dairy farmers’ profitability than nutrition and genetics combined.”

“Part of PDPW’s mission is to provide education-based programs that focus on the business side of dairying and seek solutions to challenges shared by fellow producers and collectively by our industry,” said Eric Hillan, dairy farmer and Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin President. “We are pleased to partner with Farm Bureau in an event that will give dairy farmers a chance to better understand policy options being discussed.”

Jerry Kozak, president and CEO for National Milk Producers Federation, will discuss his organization’s ‘Foundation for the Future’ plan. Other confirmed speakers for the one-day conference include: Mark Stephenson, the new Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, who serves on the USDA Dairy Industry Advisory Committee. Additional speakers will be announced at a later date.

“We’re glad to be partnering with PDPW which has done a great job helping dairy farmers be successful,” Bruins said. “I hope dairy farmers will take time to attend the summit. I believe it will help them better understand the opportunities for farmers and processors if we can make significant changes to our federal dairy policy.”

More conference details are forthcoming. Contact Jeff Lyon at (608) 828-5713 or Shelly Mayer at (262) 644-0855 for more information.