I do beleive that subsidies are needed to keep the smaller guy's going,but just like anything else it gets taken advantage off. Many farmers split there farm up on paper to get more money. I have looked on the list and see that even a "hobby farmer" can get a decent amount of money. We need to keep farms small though. The worst part for me is they take tax dollars then many of them hire illegal imigrant's

Back on the subject. I have been to Mr. Tuls farm in Nebraska and it is impressive. I would rather have milk and cheese from his farm than some smaller farms I have seen. This dairy will employ a fair number of workers and help this area more than people realize. I see alot of negative comments on these blogs and wonder why people can't see the positive in things?

dianem and chell thank you. For the others take a look at the ewg site, you will notice payments are down from years past. I say go ahead and take away the payments, when smaller farms can't make it, I can rent or buy more land and I can get bigger. Sounds fair to me. Also, keep in mind that the next generation on many farms may not want to run the family farm.

Officerfriendly, calling subsidy programs for farmers welfare is an ignorant remark. You obviously have no idea what farm life is like. Farmers get no holidays off, vacation, snow days. They get no 401k, health, dental, life, vision insurance, they don't get regular paychecks....they work 365 days a year regardless of the weather, or that its Christmas, Memorial Day, 4th of July. They pay a whole lot more for fuel costs than you could imagine, not to mention vet bills, maintenance of buildings and equipment, gas and electric bills, breeding costs, seed costs, purchasing feed and hay if their crops tanked due to the weather, oh lets not forget property taxes; income taxes; auto~home~farm insurance....So many people think farmers get rich and do nothing....spend a day in July when temps are in the 90s unloading hay wagons, go to the barn when winds are blowing and temperatures are -30 with windchills or colder to milk...not to mention going to other barns to feed heifers and calves...or going out in the dead of night because a heifer is in labor; our lambs were always born January - March; there were times we were going to the barn every two hours to check to see if we had ewes in labor; the first year we had lambs, one was in the water tub; fortunately we were able to warm her and she survived and shown at the Rock County Fair 2 years and showed as a Champion, she also produced some of our best lambs. Oh, and lets not forget the ewe we had that had quintuplets and no milk. Yes, that meant bottle feeding every couple hours...instead of beating the farmers down you should be thanking them for the food you eat. We are a blessed nation because of them, they feed this country. Without them, we would starve ~~ look at the people of Haiti, Africa...is that what you want for Americans?

I grew up on a farm, was in 4-H and FFA, and have a degree in Livestock and Dairy Farm Management. I guess I'm qualified to state my opinion.

Sounds like a good chance for some of the GM workers to get jobs....

whats wrong with you peaple? as a former member of a 5 family farm busines and were all forced out of farming in 1983 because of low prices, im all for trying to keep wisc. the dairy state. and a large operatio like this would be supporting our local farmers by buying there grains and other feeds giving them a hand up and a choice not to have to sell to coop. for less.and you can never have enough milk and cheese.it would create some jobs witch we all know is needed.local businesses would get a boost in there sales.and as far as the waste gas and fertlizer are always needed. if you know anything about farming you know our family farms are dying out here and could us all the help they can get,,I SAY GO FOR IT AND LETS NOT LET CALIF. TAKE OVER THE TITLE OF DAIRY STATE. wish i was still on a farm, DIANE M

I remember when milking 50 cows was doing pretty good. Then, years later, 500 head seemed unthinkable. Now, 5000 is the new 500.

I think the Livestock Facility Siting Board will have the final word on this issue if it becomes contentious. I wish the town of Bradford well. The state likes to take care of local control at the state level. They know best (sarcasm).

Even though this article is not about farm subsidies, I've looked at the list from 2009 in Rock County. $14,625,000 for one year, and just for Rock County. CRP makes up 10% of that amount. Supply and demand would take care of this issue on its own. If a farmer can't make any money growing corn and they are not subsidized, they can grow something else. The markets will determine how much "food" should be grown.

Taxpayer subsidies to grow the genetically modified corn to feed the dairy cows. Taxpayer subsidies to cover the balance of the milk price. Schools promoting milk loaded with sugar (like soda) to our children. Taxpayer subsidies to pay for Medicaid to cover resulting obesity problems, early onset diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
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This is the type of government we need to shrink.

Without farm subsidies, you don't have food on your table. Period.

officerfriendly is exactly right. There are a lot of people that could live off 200,000 plus per year. As of 2000, there were 152307 people, so each person in Rock county gave the Metcalfs 1.55 per year. They may be nice people, but it is a lot easier to be nice and good at business when you have 3.5 million given to you. Sorry to put this off topic, but farm subsidies are out of hand.

Anyone want a little milk with their hormones?

"No".... http://www.causecast.org/news_items/8581...

Also the amount of $3,553,376 appears to be a large sum. Well split that up over the amount of years. $236,891 per year. Go price out a new combine at any farm dealer. Also look at the improvements on there farm. Note that money also led to jobs for some. Even if small.

The Metcalf's have always been a class act family and very smart in ag. business. They received the subsidies like any other farm would have been entitled to. What you do not understand officerfriendly1. Those were given to those who qualified. In order to basically not plant crops in order to keep the price up so other farmers earned a fare market price for there crops that were planted. Those have always been offered all over the U.S. I am kind of curios how many that do not like this have farm background?

Glad to see interest in the "Dairy State"! I suppose the winers will cry about wanting dairy products from a place they can't see, as many feel about electric utilities and cell phone towers.

I hope if this gets to the point of being a reality they get more flack from county board, township and residents...as what Larson Acres got. At least Larson's grew up here and have been here helping the community in so many different ways, from donations of dairy products for 4-H, FFA, Dairy Breakfast, etc. Other than bringing in 5,000 cows, taking out crop land and lining the pockets of Metcalfs some more what will they do for Rock County?

Well said officerfriendly1.

The DNR fast tracks these applications for approval - for some unknown reason. Contact the WI DNR and voice your opinion. Watch Frontline's "Poisoned Waters", and get involved. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/...

Bad idea - bad for our current Wisconsin dairy farmers - bad for the cows - bad for our environment...don't let it happen. The DNR will probably allow the permit - maybe not this time, but eventually. This will be your government at work - good intentions - bad results. Why flood the market with even more milk and drive prices down for the "family farm" and force them out of business. Stay in Nebraska where you are already screwing things up!!

This is wrong on so many levels. The water table on the Rock Prairie will suffer from the pollution from the huge amount of manure that will be produced by another 4,600 dairy cows.

And that ain't no BULL.