AEM and Member Companies Testify in Support of Dairy Innovation

Earlier this month, AEM appeared before the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenueon the creation of a Dairy Innovation Fund to support the state's small and mid-size dairy farms. Chelsea Jerominskiwith the AEM Advocacy Team was joined by Brad Shaller and Jim Miller from BouMatic, as well as Steph Faymovillefrom GEA,to testify in favor of Senate Bill 323(SB 323).SB 323 will create a zero-interest revolving loan program for dairy farmers with less than 714cows to invest in new technologyand innovative equipment.

The hearing served as an opportunity for AEM and the equipment manufacturing industry to highlight major concerns that dairy farmers in the state are facing and how modern dairy equipment can help them thrive in today's marketplace. AEM's testimony highlighted how rising costs, labor shortages, and industry consolidation have led Wisconsin to lose half of its farms in the past ten years.

Modern dairy equipment provides these farmers with significantlabor, environmental, and economic benefits that can help them stay afloat. In her testimony, Jerominski explainedthat "modern dairy and manure equipment help small dairy farmers to maximize the yield produced from each animal and minimize their use of resources like land, feed, and water. These decreases equate to lower costs for farmers and helpsmall farmers maximize some of the competitive advantages otherwise afforded to larger farming corporations."

BouMaticand GEA echoed these points and underscored the positive impact of equipment on workforce recruitment and retention. This equipment brings abouta cleaner and less laborious work environment, which in turnmakes it easier to attract employees.

AEMand its member companiesconcluded by urgingthe committeeto advance SB 323, which wouldbring timelyrelief and a pathway to better compete forsmall and medium dairy farms. SB 323 is still awaiting a vote in committee, but AEM will continue to work with lawmakers to advocate for passage of the bill before the end of the year.