Wednesday, December 16, 1998
8:00 am - 3:45 pm
Ramada Conference Center
201 N. 17th Avenue
Wausau, Wisconsin
"If you’re going to have agriculture as
part of your future community, then you have to plan for the future of agriculture"
Ralph Grossi, American Farmland Trust
Agriculture is crucial to Wisconsin. It contributes $40 billion
to Wisconsin’s economy and accounts for a fifth of Wisconsin’s business revenue.
Animal agriculture predominates despite the fact that there has been a decline in the
number of small farms. To remain viable and competitive many farmers have expanded their
operations, spreading operating costs over more livestock. Today we have an increasing
number of expanding livestock farms.
These expanding farms, however, are not always acceptable to
residents. Expansion of livestock farms raises environmental questions, including how to
deal with the increased volume of manure. Some people believe that bigger farms push
smaller farms out of business, bring environmental degradation and undesirable odors, and
are detrimental to local economies. Some members of the agriculture community are
concerned that the public’s fear of livestock expansion could affect the
industry’s viability.
Unquestionably, animal agriculture impacts the environment, rural
communities and the economy, and raises important issues that stakeholders must explore. Animal
Agriculture and Wisconsin’s Future will provide this opportunity. Stakeholders
from all sides of the debate will convene for an objective look at the issues related to
animal agriculture. Animal Agriculture and Wisconsin’s Future will pay
particular attention to the issue of livestock expansion. The conference will closely
examine the economic and environmental impacts of expansion, help participants gain a
clearer understanding of each others concerns about expansion and identify issues for
further study.
In early 1999 Work Groups from throughout Wisconsin will work
with the findings from Animal Agriculture and Wisconsin’s Future to produce
consensus-based recommendations for profitable livestock farming that protects the
environment. This report will be widely distributed by Wisconsin Environmental Initiative.
Confirmed Participants
Ben Brancel, Secretary, Department of Agriculture,
Trade & Consumer Protection
George Meyer, Secretary, Department of Natural
Resources
Elton Aberle, Dean, College of Agriculture & Life
Sciences, UW-Madison
Larry Swain, Community Development Specialist,
UW-River Falls
Mike Krutza, President, Farm Credit Services, Wausau
Real People - Practical Examples
Livestock producers and processors will discuss
economic and environmental issues affecting both conventional and alternative farming
systems. They will share their challenges and successes.
Topics include:
Changing farming practices
Economic challenges of change
Contracting locally for feed and other commodities
Obtaining local credit
Access to processing facilities
Farm ownership
Siting of animal and processing facilities
Addressing social conflicts
Improving environmental performance with new practices and
technology
Who should attend?
Livestock farmers of all types
Conventional and alternative farmers
Processors
Farm equipment and supply dealers
Financial professionals
Consultants
Town and County Board members
Local zoning administrators
State regulators
Interested citizens
Conference Schedule
8:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 Introduction and welcome by WEI Executive Director John Imes
9:10 Panelist Presentations & Discussion
Ben Brancell, Secretary, DATCAP
George Meyer, Secretary, DNR
Elton Aberle, Dean, CALS, UW-Madison
Larry Swain, Community Development Specialist, UW-River Falls
Mike Krutza, President, Farm Credit Services, Wausau
10:00 Moderated discussion among panelists and audience
participants
10:40 Break
10:50 Economic Issues
Livestock producers and processors discuss economic
realities of livestock agriculture, sharing challenges and successes.
11:50 Facilitated discussion between presenters and audience
12:20 Lunch
Presentation: "Lessons from the Danish hog
industry"
Myron Just, Director, Minnesota Agri-Growth Council Former North Dakota Commissioner of
Agriculture
1:20 Regulatory Issues
Livestock producers and local government officials discuss
regulations, environmental performance, best practices and social conflicts.
2:20 Facilitated discussion between presenters and audience
