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Your input is crucial! Together, we can create change in our communities to further the policy objectives of our organization. Find out about the current actions you can participate in.
Submit Comments on DATCP Livestock Regulation Fee Increases
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is proposing changes to Wis. Admin. Rules § ATCP 10 and 12, which regulate Animal Disease and Movement and Animal Markets, Dealers and Truckers. The proposed changes include significant fee increases, the largest of which is a 1700% increase in the Animal Market Class A registration. These proposed fees will force markets like sale barns, livestock dealers, and truckers to raise prices, which will be inevitably passed onto farmers at a time when there is already a crisis in farm country.
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We encourage WFU members to share with DATCP how these proposed changes would impact their farm, business, and Wisconsin agricultural community by submitting written comments by October 15th, 2025.
To easily submit comments, copy and paste the template letter below into the body of your email. Be sure to replace placeholder text with your own information. Send your email to angela.fisher1@wisconsin.gov.
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​If you have any questions or would like more information about the proposed rules, or submitting comments, please contact WFU's Government Relations Director, Michelle Ramirez-White, at mramirezwhite@wisconsinfarmersunion.com.
EMAIL: Angela.fisher1@wisconsin.gov
SUBJECT: Comments on Proposed Changes to ATCP 10 & 12
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Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Division of Animal Health,
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My name is [FILL IN] and I’m a [ROLE] from [LOCATION]. I am writing to oppose the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP) proposed changes to rules, ATCP 10 and 12, which regulate Animal Disease and Movement and Animal Markets, Dealers and Truckers.
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The proposed changes to ATCP 10 and 12 include significant fee increases, the largest of which is a 1700% increase in the Animal Market Class A registration. These proposed fees will force markets like sale barns, livestock dealers, and truckers to raise prices, which are inevitably passed onto farmers during a time when there is already a crisis in farm country. Farm bankruptcies are up 95% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024. These substantial fee changes increase the financial burden on farmers and reduce livestock marketing options available in Wisconsin.
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In other Midwest states, inspection costs associated with livestock regulatory rules like ATCP 10 and 12 are funded by the state, while Wisconsin now relies on industry fees. Rather than shocking the system with up to a 1700% increase in livestock industry fees, DATCP should pursue a gradual, tiered fee increase that considers the number of animal units and number of rule violations, while also exploring options for state funding. I support setting state inspection fees at an appropriate level according to the size of operations in addition to allocating state general purpose revenue to maintain sufficient numbers of state inspector positions.
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Animal health inspections and protections under these programs serve a broad public service by protecting both animal health and consumer safety. The role of the state in partially funding these programs is necessary because the benefits are shared by all.
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Thank you for your attention to this topic.
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Sincerely,
[NAME]
Oppose 287(g) Immigration Agreements in Your County
Section 287(g) agreements are signed between local Sheriff's offices and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under which local police officers are emboldened to act as ICE agents, allowing them to investigate immigration status, detain individuals, and begin deportation processes.
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Law enforcement performs vital services for rural communities. 287(g) agreements redirect officers in a way that leaves gaps in the services they typically provide. 287(g) erodes trust between local officers and their communities, undermining public safety. Immigrant families, and those who employ immigrants, may fear reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement because of the 287(g) agreement.
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13 counties in Wisconsin currently have active 287(g) agreements with ICE, but the agreements can be terminated at any time. Click the button below to view scripts for calling your local Sheriff's office to oppose 287(g) immigration agreements in your county!
Act 73 Trailer Bill - Save Wisconsin Wedding Barns!
Act 73, slated to go into effect on January 1, 2026, will decimate wedding barns and other farm event venues, which are a growing segment of Wisconsin’s agricultural tourism industry.
Act 73 incorrectly expands the long-standing definition of “public places” to include privately-owned event venues and restricting such venues to either operating as a tavern/pub with a Class-B liquor licensing or to operating on no more than six days per year and a maximum of one day per month. With this restriction in place, family farms won’t be able to meet demand for their venues and reduces the ability for farms to generate supplemental income.
A trailer bill would update Act 73 by increasing the number of events that no-sale event venue permit holders could host from six to 36.
This simple numerical change would enable many family farms to diversify and supplement their incomes, which would help keep Wisconsin farmland in production and ensure that farm family legacies are protected.​
Write to your legislators and urge them to support a trailer bill to Act 73!
Effect of Federal Executive Actions Survey
Recent federal executive actions have influenced agriculture, rural economies, healthcare, environmental policies, and more. Have these actions had an impact—positive or negative—on your farm, business, or family?
Your feedback will help us better understand the real-world effects of these policies and strengthen our advocacy efforts.
WFU Member Story Survey
You're invited to submit updates, stories, and good news through this portal!
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Tell us what's happening on your farm, a great event that you hosted, how local or state policies are impacting you, an innovative project you're working on, or anything else that other WFU members may want to know.