Massive Fee Increases Proposed for Wisconsin’s Livestock Industry

Farmers across Wisconsin are raising concerns after learning about a new proposal from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). It includes massive fee increases for licensing and would impact auction barns, livestock dealers and truckers who transport animals like cows and pigs from farms across the state. Pam Jahnke, also known as “The Fabulous Farm Babe,” joined John and Gordy in the Morning on WMDX Radio, to discuss the changes that could raise fees from $400 a year per location to more than $7,000. It’s a jump of 1,666%. 

Listen to the entire discussion at the half-way mark here:

“To you and I, that seems absolutely ludicrous,” Jahnke says. “And for farmers, it’s not optional. These fees get passed down whether they like it or not.”

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation officials issued a call to action and are urging farmers, dealers, truckers and auction house owners to attend DATCP public hearings or submit written comments about how the new fee structure would impact their businesses.

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Public hearings on the proposal:

• In-person at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 16 and 17, 2025, at the DATCP headquarters in Madison. Find more information here.
• Virtually at the same time and dates. Register here.
• Written comments will be accepted through October 15, 2025. Submission details here.  

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According to a statement about the proposal, these fees haven’t been increased since 2009 and the department indicates it “no longer has adequate revenue to recover costs.” DATCP officials say they’ve also had to reallocate funding due to “decreased federal funding” for other programs.

Curt Larson is the president and CEO of Equity Livestock Sales Cooperative. It operates 12 livestock yards statewide. Jahnke says Larson tells her there’s no justification for the increase. He argues the hours state staff spend on licensing does not support the new costs. And Larson explains that much of the traceability work is already being handled by farmers through ear tags and meticulous recordkeeping.

Jahnke also says farmers fear Wisconsin will be put at a competitive disadvantage. Neighboring states such as Minnesota and Iowa have found ways to manage livestock oversight without imposing heavy costs. 

“If it’s going to cost that much more to do business here, farmers may take their animals elsewhere,” Jahnke says.

The DATCP proposal reveals that livestock market licenses in places like Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois range from $50 to $300, making Wisconsin’s proposed $7,430 market license a notable outlier.

Jahnke is urging farmers and producers of all types to stay engaged. 

“If you’re not paying attention, the next bill you get for sending livestock to market could be a real shock,” Jahnke says.