DBA In Action

Lobbying for Your Dairy's Future

DBA is your voice - changing laws to protect your business. Issues DBA is working on for you include the following:

  • Farm Bill Update: Margin Insurance Without Supply Management
    • A federal dairy policy called the Dairy Security Act includes a margin insurance program tied to supply management that would restrict the ability of a dairy farmer to produce milk without having their milk check deducted
  • Siting Legislation (ATCP-51)
    • Ensures that local government follows statewide siting standards when granting a permit to expand or modernize your dairy operation
  • Dairy Tax Investment Credit
    • Allows for up to $200,000 of investments to be made by Wisconsin’s dairy production plants to expand or modernize their operating structure and processes
  • DATCP Soil & Water Resource Management Rules (ATCP-50)
    • DATCP regulation to prevent water pollution
  • Permit Rules for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (NR-243)
    • Important to understand when considering expansion (over 1,000 animal units) or your operation experiences a “discharge incident”
    • Regulates WPDES permit (over 1,000 animal units)
    • Sets standards for manure management practices for concentrated animal feeding operation
  • Air Emission - Best Management Practices (NR-445)
    • Air emissions regulation (different from odor)
    • Developing Best Management Practices
    • Help producers afford emission controls
  • High Capacity Well (NR-820)
    • Groundwater Quantity Regulation
  • Runoff Management Rules (NR-151)
    • Performance water quality standards
  • Immigration
    • Working to provide a work force for the dairy industry
 

Grow Wisconsin’s Dairy Industry

  • DBA Green Tier Charter Development (DBA-GTAP)
    • Governed by DBA to help producers take necessary steps to bring their dairy above compliance and receive benefits from DNR for participation
    • Individual support for producers to learn what they really must do to comply with Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
  • Wisconsin Discovery Farms
    • DBA supports research that benefits the dairy industry
    • DBA collaborates to find funding sources to continue the beneficial work on these research farms
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
    • Incentive program for waste storage to all producers to find funding sources to improve water quality
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grant
    • Locate money for producers who identify and respond to environmental challenges and build a one-on-one relationship.
  • Conservation Security Program (CSP)
    • Helping producers with a program through NRCS that provides monetary incentives to producers who comply
  • The Right People on Your Team
    • From registered lobbyists, to government officials and industry leaders, DBA is rallying support for Wisconsin's dairy industry
  • Campaign Financing
    • DBA helps elect candidates who understand agriculture and support the dairy industry
  • Competitive Wisconsin
    • Making sure that agriculture is part of State economic development packages which promote the modernization and growth of the dairy industry.
  • Wisconsin Ag Coalition
    • Meet with lobbyists monthly to learn what agriculture legislation lobbyists are working on and position ourselves accordingly
  • Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB)
    • DBA encourages active Wisconsin dairy producers to serve as nominees to represent their district on the WMMB board