Tax credits for the dairy and livestock industry are helping build market share here in Wisconsin. Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation (AB 756) which extends dairy and livestock investment tax credits through 2012. “This is a good first step,” said the bill’s author, state Representative Amy Sue Vruwink. “We need to show dairy farmers that we’re behind them. This is a 26 billion dollar industry for our state. We need to show our farmers that the state is committed to helping them improve and grow and modernize.”
Ken Heiman, a Marshfield dairy farmer, cheesemaker and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board member, says the tax credits help Wisconsin dairy farmers compete with dairies in the western U.S. – and build market share at home. “We’re producing more and more milk locally, and there’s less and less milk coming in from other states,” said Heiman. “We’re building more and more market share for Wisconsin.”
Doyle also signed a bill (AB 746) to help Wisconsin schools have easier access to locally grown produce. “Some of the local organizations in this area are beginning to buy from local people, or asking anyway,” Heiman said. “They’re trying it, they’re going to take a look at it, and see what will work for them.” The bills were signed, fittingly, on a Marathon County dairy farm.
Bob Hague (:60 MP3) AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:60 MP3)