Virtual Meat Industry "Office Hours" Scheduled for November 6
Join us to learn more about the Humane Handling Institute, plus information about MPSCR and MPIG Grants!
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will host its next virtual meat industry “Office Hours" on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. This event will provide the opportunity for those in the meat industry to connect with DATCP staff, receive industry updates relevant to their operations, and ask questions.
- This session will feature DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist Jeff Swenson, who will give a brief update on the Meat Talent Development program.
- In addition, Paul Humphrey, Director of DATCP's Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses, will share updates and reminders from the Bureau.
- Special guest speaker, Dr. Kurt Vogel, will present on the Humane Handling Institute, its successes to date, and the Institute's future.
- Brandon Claire of JM Watkins in Maiden Rock will discuss his experience attending the Humane Handling Institute and his Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Project (MPIG).
- Jake Collins of Country Pride Meats in Clinton will discuss Country Pride's use of MPIG funds for their recent plant update.
Attendees are encouraged to submit questions or topics for discussion in advance of the "Office Hours." Those can be submitted to datcpmeatpoultrylicensing@wisconsin.gov.
We look forward to having you attend the event! Register on Microsoft Teams.
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
Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants
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.
Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grants
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.
Meat Talent Development Program
This program aims to help attract students to meat careers, provide financial support to studnets 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 (DATCP) 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
- July 30, 2025: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Investments to Support Wisconsin’s Meat Processing Industry
- May 2, 2025: Continued Investments Grow Wisconsin's Meat Industry
- January 14, 2025: DATCP Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Application Period Open through February 24
- June 26, 2024: DATCP Announces 2024 Meat Processor Grant Recipients
- 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