Milk contractors purchasing milk from Wisconsin producers or producer agents must comply with
Chapter 126 Wis. Stats., and
Chapter ATCP100, Wis. Adm. Code.
A list of licensed milk contractors can be
found here.
Milk contractor licenses expire on April 30 of each year. In order for milk contractors to obtain a license to procure producer milk in this state, they must do the following:
If the annual hundredweight (cwt) of milk procured from producers and producer agents exceed 150,000 cwt. they must demonstrate their financial condition by filing a reviewed or an audited annual financial statement. An audited annual financial statement must be filed, if the cwt. exceeds 2,500,000 cwt of milk. For reviewed statement file a Financial Statement Affidavit.
If their financial condition measured by their current ratio and debt-to-equity ratio does not meet minimum requirements, they must participate in the Wisconsin Agricultural Producer Security Fund (Fund) and pay annual assessments into the Fund.
A milk contractor will be required to file and maintain security with the department at 75% of the maximum milk payroll obligation, if their financial statement has negative equity when first licensed.
Pay monthly license fees for the administration of the Fund at the rate of $.0015 cwt.
Pay monthly procurement fees at the rate of $.01048 cwt for grade A milk, and a rate of $.0020 per cwt for grade B milk.
In June of each year, notify producers and producer agents whether the milk contractor is a participant in the Fund and the manner in which they participate (can be voluntary). The disclosure can be found in § ATCP 100.20(2), Wis. Adm. Code.
Maintain fire and extended coverage insurance that covers the value of all milk and milk products in possession, custody, or control of the milk contractor.
Pay producers, and producer agents, timely and provide them with pay statements disclosing specified information relating to the period milk is delivered.
Maintain accurate records of milk receipts, payments, and amounts owed to producers for a minimum of six years.
For more information about the
Agricultural Producer Security program, call our offices at (608) 224-4998.