Walker touts milk initiative to Wis. cheesemakers - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker says a new initiative to increase Wisconsin's milk output is good news for the state's cheese industry.

The governor spoke Thursday in Milwaukee to the International Meeting of Dairy Manufacturers.

He says Wisconsin cheesemakers account for one-fourth of the nation's cheese production. He says the state's industry is strong but could be even stronger with a better milk supply.

He says 10 percent of the milk used in Wisconsin cheese has to be imported. That's one reason he introduced the Grow Wisconsin Dairy 30-by-20 program last month.

The goal is to help the state produce 30 billion pounds of milk by 2020. Wisconsin harvested 26.1 billion pounds last year.

Walker says by producing more milk in the state, Wisconsin cheesemakers have a rich opportunity to grow.