Producers like Raymond Dietrich from the Green Bay area highlighted the importance of expanding the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP), pointing out that weight restrictions on key bridges have hindered timely transport of silage and other essential feeds. Farmers argue that improving rural infrastructure is vital not just for everyday operations but also for maintaining reliable access to fields and feed sources.

In addition to roads, dairy leaders pressed for updates to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) regulations, which they say currently constrain the movement of farm products on B-class roads. Producers such as Jeremy Heim of Hillcrest Dairy and Duane Ducat of Deer Run Dairy stressed that enhancing CDL flexibility and road access would ease the logistical challenges of hauling milk, feed and equipment.

Legislative support for rural veterinary care was also a focus. Cody Carpenter from Redrock View Farms called on lawmakers to pass a bill providing partial tuition reimbursement for veterinarians who commit to serving rural areas — a provision dairy farmers say is crucial in addressing chronic shortages of large-animal vets that complicate herd health management.