Wisconsin unveils MVP program

Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum recently introduced a program of low-interest loans known as the Milk Volume Production program. It’s designed to help producers expand their milk production capacity, and is open to all state dairy producers — from start-up operations to existing dairies.

Participants may borrow $500 per additional cow up to $1 million. Repayment is deferred the first year of the loan, and payments for the second year are interest only. The loan balance is repaid in years three through seven.

State officials believe the program can help stem the state’s production losses blamed on the reduced equity positions faced by many Wisconsin dairies. “The combination of low milk prices in 2000 and the record-high cost of replacements have really slowed expansion projects in the state,” notes Tim Griswold, director of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce’s Dairy 2020 program.

For more information about the program, contact Griswold at (608) 266-7370.

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