Farm leaders call the 2004 legislative session one of the most productive in 25 years. Gov. Doyle and the Legislature worked in a bi-partisan way to strengthen agriculture in a number of ways:

Dairy Investment Tax Credit
If you make capital investments to modernize your dairy operation, you may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $50,000 to cover expenses. The tax credits start in the 2004 tax year and must be applied to your annual Wisconsin income tax liability.

Livestock Siting
The new law, Act 235, aims to provide predictability for farmers seeking new or expanded livestock operations while protecting the environment and honoring local decision making. A panel of technical experts is developing criteria for protecting water, air and land.

Healthcare Co-ops
The new law creates five pilot programs to bring affordable health insurance and lower deductibles to farmers and other self-employed people. The first pilot program is underway and may be able to sign up a limited number of participants before year’s end.

Producer Security
The new law aims to strengthen the agricultural producer security program while freeing up capital for re-investment.

Property Taxes
Two new laws reduce property tax on wetlands and agricultural woodlands. One allows additional woodland and wetlands on farms to be assessed at 50 percent of its value. This is an important step to keep this land in its most appropriate use. It also strengthens our overall farmland use value law and the effort to make Wisconsin farms competitive with neighboring states.

Livestock Premises Identification
The new law establishes an identification system essential for animal health officials to track and contain animal disease outbreaks. Producers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary registration program coordinated by the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium. Under the new law, registration will be mandatory in 2006.

WHEDA CROP Loan
The new law allows greater discretion in the size of agricultural production loans.

Growing WITH Wisconsin Agriculture Conference
January 2006 conference information