DATCP's Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses (BMPB) held its quarterly industry Office Hours on February 23, 2024 via Zoom. Those who missed the Office Hours can review: For meat processor news and updates and to receive the weekly livestock market update, please sign-up for DATCP email updates.
Funding Opportunities
DATCP Meat Initiatives Timeline and Updates
The Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant strives to grow Wisconsin’s meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the livestock sector through services to meat processing establishments.
Governor Evers created the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant, investing up to $10 million to continue to grow Wisconsin's meat processing industry and improve the long-term viability of the state's livestock industry.
This program aims to help attract students to meat careers, provide financial support to students in Wisconsin meat processing training programs, support program development, and connect the meat processing industry with potential employees.
Livestock and Meat Processing Industry Economic Contribution
Since the late 1800's, Wisconsin's livestock and meat industries have played a key role in our state's economy. They directly employ more than 43,000 people and, with warehousing and distribution included, they contribute $34 billion to our state's economy.
Wisconsin's rich environment allows farmers to raise a wide variety of livestock including beef cattle, hogs, and poultry. Of the 3.5 million cows in Wisconsin, approximately 1.4 million of them are beef cattle. There are also about 732,000 hogs and nearly 56 million chicken broilers across the state.
There are around 500 state, federal, and custom exempt meat processing facilities in Wisconsin. In 2018, Wisconsin's livestock and meat industry harvested more than 2.1 million animals for beef, pork, and chicken with a combined live weight of nearly 2.2 billion pounds. These meats are sold domestically across the U.S. and to more than 90 countries globally.
DATCP Meatings
October 27, 2022 Recording
Materials: Wisconsin Technical College System Presentation | University of Wisconsin-River Falls Presentation
Weekly Market Update Sample | Rule Change May Require Retail Food License at Meat Establishments
FAQs: Separation of Meat and Retail Food Operations | Important Reminders for Wisconsin Meat Establishments
DATCP Meat Initiatives Timeline and Updates
DATCP Engagement
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Animal Health, Food and Recreational Safety, Agricultural Resource Management, and Agricultural Development Divisions are highly engaged with the producers and processors that provide safe and quality meats. These division staff also serve as a resource to connect producers with university, state, and federal programs.
Announcements
February 5, 2024: DATCP Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Application Period Open Through March 8
May 10, 2023: DATCP Announces 2023 Meat Processor Grant Recipients
November 29, 2022: DATCP, UW-Platteville Announce New Meat Programming
October 21, 2022: UWRF and DATCP Launch Humane Handling Institute
October 12, 2022: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Meat Processors Selected to Receive Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grants
September 19, 2022: UWRF and DATCP Partner to Support the Wisconsin Meat Industry with High School Curriculum
August 2, 2022: DATCP to Provide Tuition Reimbursement for UW-Madison HACCP Training
July 15, 2022: DATCP Reminds Processors to Apply for Meat and Supply Chain Resiliency Grants, Attend Grant Writing Webinar on July 29
May 23, 2022: Gov. Evers Announces an Additional $10 Million Investment in Meat Processing Infrastructure
May 5, 2022: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce 2022 Meat Processor Grant Recipients
January 11, 2022: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Investment in Statewide Meat Talent Development
October 28, 2021: DATCP Meat Processor Grant Application Period Open through January 14