Dairy Numbers Dwindle in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is on track to see its biggest decline in dairy farms since 2013.

The state has 429 fewer licensed dairies than it had when the year began, falling to 8,372 as of Sept. 1, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. It lost 47 dairy farms in August.

Mike North, president of the Dairy Business Association, said it’s not surprising given the current market and long-term trend toward consolidation.

“There’s lots of motivating factors in this but it’s a trend that’s been going on for my entire lifetime,” North said.

He said recent price reactions to new tariffs on United States dairy products have definitely motivated some farmers to leave the industry early this year.

Shelly Mayer, executive director of Professional Dairy Producers, said low milk prices for more than three years also contributed to the shrinking industry.

“For some of these farm families, they just can’t continue on with the businesses, and that’s what we always find difficult and devastating, to lose the farm numbers in that way,” Mayer said.

Retirements—and the absence of a successor to take over the farm—are driving the number as well.

Source: Wisconsin Public Radio