Jonny Hunter (CC BY 2.0)

Series: The Dairy State Economy

Dairy is iconic in Wisconsin, with the production of milk and cheese a longstanding foundation of the state's identity and global reputation. This industry is a significant component of Wisconsin's economy, dependent on the fluctuations of international markets and tastes of consumers, with each affecting the livelihoods of farmers and their employees. Meanwhile, the structure of the business is changing, with the number of farms decreasing as their average size is increasing. Around Wisconsin, the direction of the dairy industry will define the future for producers and communities.
 
Series: The Dairy State Economy
Series: CAFOs, Manure And Water

Why Wisconsin's Livestock Farms Are Growing In Size

Karen Faster
WisContext
Farms that raise animals — be they poultry, pigs, cows or other livestock — are growing. But whether smaller farms are simply updated with modern technologies or are concentrated animal feeding operations with hundreds or thousands of animals, they enable farmers to reduce costs and increase output.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

USDA Plans To Buy Another $20M In Surplus Cheese

Hope Kirwan
Wisconsin Public Radio
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the purchase plan after a roundtable discussion with Wisconsin farmers. The cheese will go to food banks and nutrition assistance programs.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

Wisconsin Loses Nearly 400 Dairy Farms Since 2015

Hope Kirwan
Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin lost almost 400 dairy farms in the last year, according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

Dairy Prices Predicted To Increase Despite Record Production

Hope Kirwan
Wisconsin Public Radio
Dairy economists have an optimistic outlook for milk prices despite continued increases in production.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

As Sales Of Milk Alternatives Grow, So Do Dairy Farmers' Frustrations

Haleema Shah
Wisconsin Public Radio
Most Wisconsinites – and Americans – have a special place in their hearts and kitchens for dairy milk. But the last few years have seen a growth in popularity of milk alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk and rice milk.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

Why Milk Producers Get Whip-Sawed By Price Changes

Mark Stephenson
UW-Extension
High prices are a signal from customers indicating that they demand more product. In 2014, dairy farmers in Wisconsin and the rest of the U.S. received the highest prices for milk on record, signaling a demand that the world wanted more dairy products.
Series: The Dairy State Economy
Series: Wisconsin Ag And Global Trade

Dairy Producers Ready For Better Milk Prices In 2017

Hope Kirwan
Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin dairy producers saw an increase in milk prices in December, reaching the highest price in the last two years.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

Dairy Defends Its Turf Over The Definition Of Milk

Scott Gordon
WisContext
To create the concept of "milk" as people know it today, the U.S. dairy industry exerted considerable energy — spending a lot of money to develop new technologies and build political clout.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

Wisconsin's Specialty Cheesemakers May Be Better Off Than Other States

Hope Kirwan
Wisconsin Public Radio
As markets for artisan and specialty cheese grow, a new national survey found many cheesemakers have a hard time staying in operation.
Series: The Dairy State Economy

A Challenge To The Good Name Of Milk

Kristian Knutsen
WisContext
Over the past several years, a pair of trends have been putting pressure on the dairy industry in the United States.