Wisconsin Faces 30% Decline in Dairy Farms Since 2017, New Census Data Reveals
Source: The DairyNews
Recent census data has brought to light a concerning trend for Wisconsin's agricultural landscape, indicating a 30% reduction in the number of dairy farms since 2017. In 2022, the state had 58,521 farms, reflecting a nearly 10% decline over the five-year period.
Despite the overall decrease in farm numbers, the statistics reveal a silver lining with a growing presence of new or beginning farmers in Wisconsin. Approximately 28,000 individuals, farming for a decade or less, were reported, marking a notable 16% increase from the 2017 census.
The dairy industry in Wisconsin has experienced a substantial contraction, with the number of dairy farms dropping from just over 9,000 in 2017 to 6,216 in 2022. As of February 1, 2024, the state had 5,644 milk cow herds. Notably, while the number of farms is dwindling, the census data indicates an increase in herd size on each farm, maintaining relatively stable cow numbers.
Wisconsin's agricultural diversity is highlighted as a strength, producing an abundance of milk, grains, specialty crops, and livestock, according to Randy Romanski, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The state ranks tenth in the U.S. for the total value of production, amounting to $16.7 billion, with a net farm income of $77,839 in 2022.
Romanski emphasized the significance of family farms, constituting 95% of the over 58,000 farms in the state, occupying 13.8 million acres dedicated to farming. He also noted that approximately 10% of Wisconsin producers are under 35 years old, reinforcing agriculture's dynamic role as an employer.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the industry, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of delivering agriculture policies that create multiple streams of income and foster competitive models for small- and mid-sized farms. Vilsack highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to enhance independent meat and poultry processing capacity, support local and regional food systems, and create new revenue streams through renewable energy and ecosystem markets.
Despite the challenges, Vilsack pointed to early signs of progress, with the highest net farm income on record over the first three years of the Biden-Harris Administration and a growth in the rural population for the first time in a decade. He urged a collective effort to choose a more expansive, newer model for agriculture, fostering opportunity and resilience in the face of a changing agricultural landscape.
The dairy industry in Wisconsin has experienced a substantial contraction, with the number of dairy farms dropping from just over 9,000 in 2017 to 6,216 in 2022. As of February 1, 2024, the state had 5,644 milk cow herds. Notably, while the number of farms is dwindling, the census data indicates an increase in herd size on each farm, maintaining relatively stable cow numbers.
Wisconsin's agricultural diversity is highlighted as a strength, producing an abundance of milk, grains, specialty crops, and livestock, according to Randy Romanski, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The state ranks tenth in the U.S. for the total value of production, amounting to $16.7 billion, with a net farm income of $77,839 in 2022.
Romanski emphasized the significance of family farms, constituting 95% of the over 58,000 farms in the state, occupying 13.8 million acres dedicated to farming. He also noted that approximately 10% of Wisconsin producers are under 35 years old, reinforcing agriculture's dynamic role as an employer.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the industry, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of delivering agriculture policies that create multiple streams of income and foster competitive models for small- and mid-sized farms. Vilsack highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to enhance independent meat and poultry processing capacity, support local and regional food systems, and create new revenue streams through renewable energy and ecosystem markets.
Despite the challenges, Vilsack pointed to early signs of progress, with the highest net farm income on record over the first three years of the Biden-Harris Administration and a growth in the rural population for the first time in a decade. He urged a collective effort to choose a more expansive, newer model for agriculture, fostering opportunity and resilience in the face of a changing agricultural landscape.
