Dairy Plant Investment Tax Credits—Wisconsin will provide $1.3 million in new tax credits for dairy farms to buy much-needed equipment and implement new technologies to become more efficient and enhance quality. Credits are available for 10 percent of modernization or expansion costs, with up to $200,000 per facility.

Whey Initiative—Totaling up to $10 million in support, the whey initiative will help plants invest in the growing international market for whey to generate new revenues, helping plants increase their whey capacity. Since 2006, whey exports have increased from $13 million to $37 million, an increase of 170 percent.

Cheese Cooperatives Credits—These new credits, worth $1.3 million, will allow cheese cooperatives to work together to invest in new cheese plants and streamline their businesses.

Nutrient Management Program—To complement industry efforts, the state will provide farmers with $13 million in funding for the most comprehensive nutrient management system of its kind. The advisory system will help farmers reduce runoff pollution, explore new ways to manage wastewater, and make better and safer working conditions.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative—This initiative will ensure Wisconsin farmers can grow while practicing stewardship and effective land management. The state will provide $800,000 to help farmers manager their resources, becoming more efficient producers and better stewards of the land.

Meat Modernization Credits—This new initiative will provide up to $1 million in tax credits to modernize meat processing plants through new investment and technical assistance. The credits will help more plants become efficient and productive, strengthen partnerships between meat processors and technical colleges, and move plants toward leaner manufacturing processes.