Tax Credit to Help Dairy Farmers
Modernize, Stay Competitive
MADISON (March 1, 2004) - At a bill signing ceremony at the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law today a bill that provides a tax credit to help Wisconsin's dairy farmers modernize, make needed investments in their farms, and remain competitive.
"A healthy dairy industry is critical to a strong Wisconsin economy," Governor Doyle said. "Unfortunately, if modernization does not occur, our dairy industry is in danger of losing its farmers and the infrastructure needed to remain America's Dairyland."
The average age of Wisconsin's dairy facilities dates to the mid-1960s. And many of the state's 16,500 dairy farmers need to upgrade their facilities and equipment and take advantage of new technologies in order to remain competitive and increase their dairy profitability.
Assembly Bill 283 provides a tax credit of up to $50,000 to cover expenses of modernizing or expanding a dairy farm. The credit is broad, and applies to improvements of any size, ranging from better fencing to new milking facilities.
"This bill provides an economic incentive to Wisconsin dairy producers - regardless of size - to modernize their dairy operations," Governor Doyle said. "And it ensures that our farm families stay in dairying, and make the commitment and investment to modernize so they can pass a modern and efficient facility on to the next generation of the family."
Governor Doyle thanked the many legislators who worked hard to move the bill through the Legislature, including Representative Al Ott, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee; Senator Dale Schultz, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Representative Bobbie Gronemus; and Senators Jon Erpenbach and Dave Hansen.
The Governor also thanked Bill Oemichen, John Manske, and the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives for their leadership and support, and Mike Krutza, CEO of FCS Financial Services in Wausau, for generating the idea and working with key legislators to get the bill drafted and passed. Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, was also instrumental in communicating the value of the bill to the non-farming public, the Governor said.
Governor Doyle also signed Assembly Bill 284, cosponsored by Representatives Al Ott and Bobbie Gronemus and Senators Sheila Harsdorf and Dale Schultz. The bill streamlines requirements for fish farmers reporting fish health. Since DATCP took over fish health responsibilities in 1997, the Department has established a comprehensive and nationally recognized program for fish health regulation.
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