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Wisconsin farmers get issue updates, lobby state legislature during Ag Day at the Capitol

Most of Wisconsin’s agriculture groups jointly outlined their legislative priorities for this session.  Ag Day at the Capitol is underway today virtually.

Farmers had plenty of questions about changes to the Farmland Preservation Program, and the DNR’s nitrate rule NR151, and broadband expansion.

Bill Esbeck is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association.  He says rural areas continue to need upgrades in broadband access to meet the FCC’s download/upload minimum speeds. “The data tells us that 78% of our rural homes have that 25-3 (download vs. upload speed in megabits) service, and 22% of our rural homes do not have that 25-3 broadband service.”

Farmer members of Wisconsin Farm Bureau and several farm groups will spend the afternoon meeting virtually with lawmakers to lobby for several initiatives, including the revived legislation from the last session addressing meat and dairy labeling.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company and GROWMARK Inc. are major sponsors of this year’s online event. Co-sponsors include the Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Hemp Alliance, Wisconsin Horse Council, Wisconsin Pork Association, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.