WisBusiness: the Podcast with Ben Miller, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Ben Miller, vice president of industry relations at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. 

He discusses the impact of the dairy industry in Wisconsin and the landscape going into 2025, touching on dairy farmer worries and opportunities as well as what’s ahead for the industry more broadly. Miller references findings from a recent report on the state’s ag industry, which contributed more than $116 billion to the Wisconsin economy in 2022, including $52.8 billion from dairy alone. 

“You don’t have to be an economist to look at this report and get excited for dairy, and in fact, all of Wisconsin agriculture,” he said. 

He highlights the rise of dairy processing firms in the state, noting the role these businesses play in getting more dairy products into the hands of consumers worldwide. 

“Demand for dairy is also strong, and I should say, as a result our processors are investing in those operations, both here in Wisconsin and across the country, which will mean more demand for high-quality milk,” he said. 

The podcast also touches on the Center for Dairy Research and innovations happening there, ranging from integrating new technologies on the farm to improving long-term freshness for Wisconsin dairy products such as cheese curds. 

“You and I know about squeaky cheese, and what it means … they’re studying how that happens, why that happens, and how we can extend shelf-life and freshness and quality so people all over the world can bite into that cheese and experience the same things that you and I experience,” he said. 

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Miller points to continued interest in expanding dairy exports and reaching new markets. He says “there’s a little bit of anxiety and uncertainty” around prospects for international trade, but adds efforts are underway to capitalize on the opportunities for Wisconsin dairy products. 

“For every pound of cheese purchased in Wisconsin almost $17 runs through the state’s economy, and for every gallon of milk about $15 goes through the economy,” he said. “So we’re the heart and soul of the state in many different ways.” 

Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:

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