The critical role that U.S. dairy exports play in Wisconsin's economy took center stage at a virtual town hall among dairy leaders this week. 

You don’t need to remind Wisconsin dairy farmers about the importance of exports.

“We speak a lot in Wisconsin about the 90:90 rule, where 90% of the milk in the state gets turned into cheese and 90% of that cheese goes outside the state (to domestic and foreign destinations),” Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, told those attending a virtual town hall forum on Tuesday.

“Our farming families produce nutritious and wholesome milk that ends up in dozens of international markets as ingredients or dairy products,” he said. 

Vincent emphasized the importance of "open and fair access" to the Canadian and Mexican markets and utilizing the resources provided by the U.S. Dairy Export Council in opening up relationships and sales opportunities abroad. 

VIDEO: USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack moderates a discussion about Wisconsin dairy export opportunities. 

"We know that dairy exports will help build a brighter future for our industry, from the thousands of proud Wisconsin dairy farmers to the multi-generation business exporting world-class cheeses abroad," said USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack, who moderated Tuesday's panel discussion. 

This town hall was co-hosted by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and Farmers for Free Trade, a coalition of pro-trade farm organizations, as part of an ongoing series titled AgTalks.

Read a USDEC news release about the town hall forum here. 

Mark O'Keefe is vice president of editorial services at the U.S. Dairy Export Council. 

Learn more: 

• U.S. Dairy has evolved into an export powerhouse

• U.S. dairy export volume hits 2-year high

• Record sales to Southeast Asia drive April U.S. dairy export numbers higher

• RIP: U.S. Dairy honors the legacy of NAFTA
  
  

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The U.S. Dairy Export Council fosters collaborative industry partnerships with processors, trading companies and others to enhance global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients. USDEC is primarily supported by Dairy Management Inc. through the dairy farmer checkoff. How to republish this post.