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Dairy Business Association leader says WI ag bills need to pass soon

The executive director of the Dairy Business Association says several bills need to cross the finish line during the final weeks of the Wisconsin legislative session.

Chad Zuleger tells Brownfield legislation close to getting final floor votes would help veterinary students pay for their education if they work in rural Wisconsin. “They’re free to do cat and dog veterinary services, but large animal veterinary services has to be part of that portfolio and then, yeah, the state could kick in up to twenty-five thousand dollars to repay a veterinary school loan.”

Zuleger says DBA is closely watching legislation to freeze animal health inspection fees, which have seen two agency-proposed increases. “We recognize these programs are vitally important to the dairy community and agriculture at large, however, we also see a place for the state to provide some support in this too, and we’d like to see some GPR general purpose revenue enter the equation.”

Zuleger says he is closely watching bills that would modify eligibility for the Ag Road Improvement Program, assist with CDL driver training grants, and increase weight limits on state roads to 91-thousand pounds on six axles.

Zuleger says another bill would use twenty million dollars for a dairy cattle innovation program.  He says DBA is reviewing some late amendments before taking a position on the bill. Zuleger spoke to Brownfield during Dairy Day at the Capitol. 

AUDIO: Chad Zuleger outlines state legislative priorities with Brownfield’s Larry Lee during Dairy Day at the Capitol, February 4th, 2026.