Wisconsin farmers will gather together for several upcoming meetings addressing the future of the dairy industry.
Meeting locations include:
- MARSHFIELD – April 10, 7:30-9:30pm, Richfield Town Hall Municipal Building, 8478 Richfield Drive, Marshfield. Milk and meal provided. RSVP at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/upcoming-events.
- PLATTEVILLE – April 12, 7:30pm, UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm, 29200 College Farm Road, Platteville. RSVP at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/upcoming-events.
- BARRON – Monday, April 16, 12:30-3pm, Barron Electric Co-op Meeting Room, 1434 Highway 25 N, Barron.
These meetings come on the heels of a series of Dairy Together events organized by Wisconsin Farmers Union in mid-March, which featured speakers from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. The events sparked interest in whether some elements of dairy supply management could work in the United States.
The Canadian speakers’ presentation was filmed and will be shown at the Marshfield and Platteville gatherings. All three meetings will offer opportunities for thoughtful farmer-led discussion on the current dairy crisis. Government officials, dairy processors and other decision makers will also be invited.
Refreshments will be served in Platteville, and there will be a meal at the Marshfield event; attendees are asked to RSVP to Deb at 715-590-2130 or at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/upcoming-events.
The Barron meeting is being co-organized by Barron County Farm Bureau and Barron County Farmers Union. Farmers planning to speak at that event will be limited to 3 to 5 minutes and are strongly encouraged to bring a written copy of their statements. For more details contact Barron County Farm Bureau President Karyn Schauf at 715-790-7203 or Barron County Farmers Union President Dale Hanson at 715-537-9309.
“We’ve been losing about 500 dairy herds each year here in Wisconsin, yet we continue to see milk production climb, even with a flooded market and low prices that, in many cases, don’t even cover the farmer’s cost of production,” said WFU President Darin Von Ruden, a Vernon County dairy farmer. “It is vital that the dairy industry pulls together to consider how we can reduce volatility and ensure a future for our dairy farm families.”
