A newly released study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals Wisconsin's agricultural economic impact has grown to $116.3 billion.

On Monday, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced the findings with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

The study, conducted by UW-Madison's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, provides an update on the contribution of agriculture to the Wisconsin economy undertaken by Deller using data for 2022, which is the most current available.

According to the study, between 2017 and 2022, the Wisconsin agricultural production and food processing sectors have increased 10.9 percent and contributed to a combined $116.3 billion in economic impact in 2022. That's 14.3 percent of the state’s total economic output.

“Here in America’s Dairyland, our farmers, producers, agricultural industries, and rural communities are such an important part of our state’s heritage and tradition as well as our economy and our future, providing 353,900 jobs, contributing $116.3 billion to the economy annually,” said Evers. “From launching our Wisconsin Farm Support Program in 2020 to working to increase our state’s agricultural exports to investing in safe, reliable roads to get from point A to point B, we’ve been hard at work to bolster this vital industry for the past five years, and we will continue our work to strengthen Wisconsin’s agriculture industry for years to come.”

The study goes on to say Wisconsin’s dairy farms and processors continue to be an industry leader, contributing $52.8 billion annually to the state’s economy. Wisconsin agriculture also remains a major employer, according to the study, and is responsible for 353,900 jobs across the state, or 9.5 percent of the state’s workforce.

“I am pleased that the economic impact of Wisconsin agriculture is growing due to the hardworking and innovative farmers and food processors across the state,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Wisconsin is fortunate to be home to a thriving agricultural industry producing and processing quality products for consumers around the world. This study confirms that diversity is one of Wisconsin agriculture’s greatest strengths. Anchored by the dairy industry, Wisconsin agriculture is well-positioned for the future with its leadership in cranberries, snap beans for processing, corn for silage, and more.”

Source - https://www.wisn.com