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Exports and renewable energy are at the top of Rod Nilsestuen’s priority list these days.
Nilsestuen, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary, visited Tomah Thursday and touted numbers that show a significant increase in Wisconsin agricultural exports.
Wisconsin’s exports rose by 45 percent and surpassed $2 billion in 2007.
“Agriculture has been on a real roll in Wisconsin thanks to record prices and increased exports,” Nilsestuen said.
The export story includes:
*Dairy products up 131 percent. Nilsestuen cited a “very strong demand for whey. It’s such a fungible and versatile product -- it can be used in anything from energy drinks to candy bars.”
*Dairy genetics up 40 percent. Much of the demand is driven by Mexico, which has a growing dairy industry.
*Dried distilled grains, up 245 percent. A by-product of the state’s growing ethanol industry, distilled grains are sought as high-protein livestock feed in Asia.
*Prepared vegetable exports up 135 percent. Potatoes went up 218 percent, driven by demand for frozen potatoes.
Nilsestuen even sees more exports for cranberries, a commodity which has traditionally received a cool reception abroad.
“Other countries, like Japan, where there were never cranberries before are accepting cranberries,” he said.
Nilsestuen said part of the export boom can be traced to the weak American dollar.
“The purchasing power of the nations we export to is increasing significantly, but it isn’t just the buck,” he said.
On the alternative energy front, Nilsestuen is promoting the use of ethanol through an ethanol blend called E85. His goal is for 400 stations in Wisconsin to sell E85 by the end of the year.
He defended corn ethanol from charges that it fails to create a net gain of energy.
“With the energy ratio comparisons, there are dozens out there, and you have to be careful which ones you use,” Nilsestuen said. He said many studies use farm productivity models that are outdated by more than 20 years. He also said ethanol plants have made considerable efficiency gains.
Nilsestuen also promoted biomass as a way to heat school buildings, especially schools in northern and western Wisconsin that have access to plentiful nearby wood supplies.
“Biomass is part of a portfolio for Wisconsin’s energy independence,” said Secretary Nilsestuen. “A school wood study illustrates that Wisconsin has both the renewable resources and innovation needed to reach Gov. Doyle’s goal of 25 percent renewable energy and fuel by 2025. We have a lot of biomass and a lot of under-utilized wood.”
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