30 That Have Made A Difference

By Brenda Murphy, Managing Editor
Thursday, September 1, 2005 12:11 PM CDT

Throughout early summer we asked our readers to nominate and vote for those they felt had been most influential during the last 30 years of Wisconsin agriculture.

The response from around the state was outstanding. The volume of people and companies that were nominated was a true testament to the rich history of Wisconsin's agricultural industry. It also shows that it took more than a handful of people to shape the future of the industry. The nominations for People & Companies, Ideas & Technologies and Issues and Events covered all vocations in agriculture - from agriculture instructors, equipment dealers, AI companies and legislators to producers and co-ops.

The managers at Agri-View tallied your votes to provide the top 10 for each category. Many received the same number of votes or were separated by only a few. Below is the list, as voted by Agri-View readers in no particular order.

People and Companies

Farm Credit Services of Wisconsin - Farm Credit provides some $86 billion in loans to more than a half million growers, agribusiness and agricultural cooperatives, electric and telephone cooperatives, and rural utility and water systems. Overall, Farm Credit institutions meet more than 25 percent of the credit needs of U.S. agriculture.

Farm Bureau - The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general farm organization representing the needs and interests of all farmers for all commodities.

Dr. Dave Dickson - The number of people's lives he's influenced as a dairy team coach or professor is immeasurable. Many of his former students are leaders in the dairy industry. Dickson is an active member of the Holstein Foundation Board of Trustees and also consults for other dairy industry groups and organizations.

National Farmer's Organization - For decades, National Farmers has strived to develop new ideas in agricultural marketing - ideas that benefit independent and family producers. The vision of better farm marketing began in the 1970s, when National Farmers created grain, livestock and dairy sales programs. Producers in 37 states began realizing the positive ways marketing plans impact their farm businesses. The Wisconsin membership of the National Farmers Organization is dedicated to the preservation of farm families in Wisconsin. It collectively works for improved commodity prices as well as state and federal legislation that are vital to the survival of its farm family members.

Louis Wysocki - Helped author the Wisconsin groundwater policy on pesticide use. While serving on the DATCP board he made changes to Chapter 96 - the agricultural marketing act that enabled the dairy industry to pass a checkoff for promoting dairy products.

National Farmer's Union - For more than 100 years, National Farmers Union's primary goal has been to sustain and strengthen family farm and ranch agriculture. National Farmers Union believes that good opportunities in production agriculture are the foundation of strong farm and ranch families and that strong farm and ranch families are the basis for thriving rural communities.

Marv and Ruth Espenscheid - As executive directors of the Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association for the past 14 years, The Espenscheids have made young livestock enthusiasts their focus. Through the WLBA, the Espenscheids work to organize a spring preview show, five district shows and two livestock show camps for Wisconsin livestock exhibitors each year. This dynamic couple worked tirelessly to continue the efforts of the WLBA after state funding was cut and were successful in their efforts allowing the groups activities and youth events to continue to ensure the strength and future of Wisconsin's livestock industry.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board - Increasing demand for Wisconsin's raw milk remains WMMB's goal. Because the majority of Wisconsin's raw milk is used to make cheese, the most effective way to accomplish this goal is to focus on marketing and promotion programs for Wisconsin Cheese. Around 90 percent of Wisconsin's cheese is marketed outside of the state.

Dr. Lee 'Doc' Allenstein - The awards his career has generated are too numerous to mention but among the most prestigious are Wisconsin Veterinarian of the Year, 1973; Bovine Practitioner of the Year, 1982 and World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year, 1992. He worked in private practice in Whitewater before joining the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine where he taught numerous vet students and was selected as the Outstanding Professor in the school in 1992. His work has influenced many large animal practitioners throughout the United States.

PDPW - PDPW provides educational programs for its members, while offering a forum for idea interchange and promoting the profitability of the dairy business. PDPW embraces a positive and professional image for the dairy business. Educational programs identify topics facing the dairy industry and focus on possible solutions and new avenues to increase bottom line profits. Regardless of your herd size, management style and business structure, PDPW's programs target issues that affect your business.

Several Wisconsin and national organizations were nominated and voted for in this category. Please see the Capitol Update for more information on some of these.

Ideas and Technologies

No-Till Farming - For a more detailed description of No-Till Farming see Crops.

Computers - Changed the way producers track information. From recordkeeping to GPS assisted technology to steer tractors and equipment, computers have become an integral part of Wisconsin agribusiness.

Calf Hutches - Changed the way dairy youngstock are raised and have provided healthier replacements that are in demand.

Liquid Manure - The storage and application procedures have changed the way manure nutrients are managed. Previously, producers spread manure daily and didn't allow for storage. Now many larger producers have at least 6 months of storage, some have more than 12 months of storage.

Biotech Hybrids (RoundUp Ready) - Reduced chemical and pesticide use. Also reduced farmers operating costs and assisted in increasing profits.

Ethanol - With four state plants now operating, an estimated 80 million bushels of corn - or 20 percent of Wisconsin's corn crop - will be processed into ethanol this crop season. The influx of ethanol plants into Wisconsin has changed and continues to change producers crops and markets.

Forage Advancements (Bunker silos, big square hay bales) - Thirty years has changed the way producers make their forage. Whether the change is in how its ensiled or how its baled, these advancements have changed the way Wisconsin producers make their feed and impact the profitability of their herds and flocks.

rBGH - The introduction of this synthetic hormone to boost milk production created great controversy in the state and throughout the nation. It has made an impact on the amount of milk produced per cow.

Irrigation - The implementation of irrigation on a greater scale has helped secure profitable yields during years of weather-related stress and made some lands able to produce a viable crop.

Parlors/Freestalls - Technological advancements made in housing cattle has brought numerous changes to the way Wisconsin dairy producers manage their herds.

Issues and Events

Use Value Assessment - For more detailed information about Use Value Assessment see news.

World Dairy Expo - More than 65,000 dairy industry enthusiasts make the trip to World Dairy Expo in Madison. It's the international meeting place for the dairy industry. Expo offers the most elite combination of dairy cattle and exhibits in the world. You'll find the most modern dairy equipment and the newest dairy technology and innovations.

Right to Farm Law - The state's Right-to-Farm Law was enacted in 1981 and was strengthened in 1995. The law was needed to protect farmers from lawsuits, or the threat of lawsuits, where a plaintiff alleges that a normal farming practice poses a nuisance. There have been two lawsuits since the law was enacted; but farm groups warn a suit involving a Sawyer County cranberry grower that is scheduled to go to trial in September could seriously threaten the Right-to-Farm Law.

Stray Voltage - One Agri-View reader comments on the nomination form, "Since the late '70s this has been a problem and this issue is no further than it was back then. I'm willing to bet that 50 percent of the dairy farms we have lost has been due to electrical issues."

Urban Sprawl - The constantly changing landscape and addition of urban neighbors has impacted all producers and their farming practices.

Dairy Breakfasts - More than 80 dairy breakfasts are held in Wisconsin each year. It is a place that can promote Wisconsin products to producers and their urban neighbors. The dairy breakfast has served as a positive way of encouraging those less familiar with agriculture to learn more about the workings of their local dairy, its employees and its owners.

Animal Welfare - Influential groups have made their voice heard and impacted legislation and the common farming practices of all species.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days - The meeting place for producers and technology. It has been, and continues to be, the place for equipment dealers and new products to be showcased - literally a one stop learning center for producers.

New animal diseases (BSE, FMD) - The occurrences of such devastating diseases such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalapathy, Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza have caused farmers to step-up biosecurity measures and realize the global impact such an outbreak can have.

Checkoffs - Producer funded marketing support for their products have helped to open new markets.

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