Lawmaker wants strong dairy support in C-19 crisis

The Brillion News

MADISON – State Representative Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, sent a latter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking it to explore ways to help struggling farmers.

The letter was sent to federal Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and was copied to President Trump, U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, and to Representatives Mark Pocan, Ron Kind, Brian Steil, Glen Grothman, Jim Sensenbrenner,. Mike Gallagher and Gwen Moore.

“In Wisconsin, agriculture is critical to our state’s overall economy. It is our second largest industry, providing more than $104.8 billion in economic activity and employing over 437,000 people,” Tranel wrote. “I do not have to elaborate on the pure catastrophic devastation that will be caused by $11 milk and $2 something corn the market is currently facing due to COVID-19.”

Tranel asked that the USDA adjust support programs that are currently in place, or will be created due to COVID-19, to reflect actual production up until the virus hit.