Relationship with Shanghai Dairy Group continues to develop

The dairy industry is a worldwide business, and the relationship between the Shanghai Dairy Group and the State of Wisconsin continued to develop recently.

The Shanghai Dairy Group visited the state to hold business meetings and participate in tours.

"While visiting China in June, I signed a letter of intent that recognized Wisconsin as the preferred supplier of agricultural goods and services for the Shanghai Dairy Group," said Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Ben Brancel.

Brancel added, "This visit to Wisconsin was part of the long-term cooperation and partnership with the Shanghai Dairy Group that will be mutually beneficial."

The Shanghai Dairy Group in China includes 40,000 cows on multiple farms, a feed facility, dairy processing, food retail, beef steers, dairy equipment and dairy technology research.

The goal of Shanghai Dairy Group's visit was to find partners from Wisconsin to grow their dairy business.

The Shanghai Dairy Group traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Madison recently, as well as Didion Milling, Crave Brothers Dairy Farm, Blackstone and Mark Riecher's farm.

"By visiting our farms, the Shanghai Dairy Group was able to learn from Wisconsin's technology, management and way of thinking," explained Secretary Brancel. "The Shanghai Dairy Group sees their future success in replicating the dairying of the United States."

A business meeting between Shanghai Dairy Group and Wisconsin agribusinesses was held at the State Capitol in the Governor's Conference Room.

The Shanghai Dairy Group met with companies involved in the feed, genetics and equipment industries who are interested in growing their exports to China.

"Shanghai Dairy Group was very interested in Wisconsin's genetics, feed and technologies," added Brancel. "From this meeting, we believe conversations started that will continue in the months to come, resulting in increased exports from Wisconsin."

In 2011, Wisconsin exported $2.85 billion of agricultural products, a record for Wisconsin and increase of 18 percent over 2010. Wisconsin ranks 16th in the nation for agricultural exports.