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Beef cattle are in a rotational-grazing program at Rush Creek Ranch near Viroqua, Wisconsin. The ranch raises about 7,000 head of cattle. There are about 14,000 beef farms in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Cattleman s Association. About 7,000 dairy farms across the state also contribute to the beef supply chain.Â
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Wisconsin is a major beef-producing state, with an inventory of about 3.5 million head of cattle. The beef industry contributes to Wisconsinâs economy by generating about $1.7 billion in cash receipts for cattle and calves. That s equal to about 15 percent of all Wisconsin agricultural cash receipts, according to the Wisconsin Cattlemen s Association.
WCA supports meat labeling requirement
Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association
Representatives of the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) testified in support of Senate Bill 82, legislation authored by Senator Howard Marklein and Representative Clint Moses, which would allow only products that are derived from animals to be labeled as “meat.”
“The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association supports the clear labeling of meat products,” said Matt Ludlow, President of the WCA. “WCA firmly believes that the establishment of clear labels will protect the integrity of our beef products. Our beef industry has spent a significant amount of time, money, and effort to establish and maintain a healthy, wholesome, and nutritious product.
Viroqua father-and-son duo win national cattle award
Father-son cattle ranchers, Reid and Matt Ludlow, have been named BEEF Magazine s 2020 National Stocker Award winner.
With their Viroqua-based operation Rush Creek Ranch, dad Reid has been in business since 1976, with son Matt joining the operation in 2008 not long after he graduated from college. The pair raise nearly 7,000 stocker steers and heifers each year, separated into groups of 600-900 head, on a spread of 2,000 acres.
But those acres aren t actually all used for grazing at once. Matt said his dad has perfected the art of rotational grazing . When he first started raising stocker cattle, he rotated between 40-acre pastures, but nowadays he s narrowed it down to 5 acres at a time, Matt said. He added it helps them preserve the land better, even if the practice has its costs.