last week, governor evers approved wisconsin’s 2025-2027 biennial budget, which included key funding that would enable more dairy farmers to modernize their equipment.
although the budget deadline was june 30th, the wisconsin legislature had fierce negotiations into the first week of july. the $111 billion budget was passed through both the house and assembly in one day and signed into law by governor evers hours later on july 3rd.
included in the budget was a last-minute amendment that added $20 million for a new dairy cattle innovation program. with program funding allocated, the state’s budget paves the way for aem-endorsed senate bill 323.
introduced in june by state senator rob stafsholt (r-new richmond) and state representative clint moses (r-menomonie), the bill would establish a zero-interest revolving loan program through the wisconsin economic development corporation, allowing dairy producers to upgrade outdated equipment, adopt precision agriculture tools, and modernize manure management systems.
in particular, the bill would help small and medium-sized farms – who have left the state at an alarming rate due to rising costs, labor shortages, and industry consolidation – invest in next-generation technology. according to the u.s. department of agriculture, wisconsin has lost more than half of its dairy farms in the last decade.
aem applauds the wisconsin legislature and governor evers for investing in the state’s dairy farms and opening a pathway for smaller farms to compete. in the coming weeks, aem will continue to support sb 323 as state lawmakers debate the specific parameters of the program.
