The University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension is pleased to announce Leonard Polzin as Extension’s new Dairy Markets and Policy Specialist. Polzin will identify needs and incorporate research findings into high-quality education programs in the dairy markets and policies aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Wisconsin’s dairy farms.
Financially viable, healthy agricultural businesses are essential to Wisconsin’s $100 billion agricultural economy. Farmers must constantly identify and evaluate opportunities to achieve their mission and goals and improve their competitive position. With this comes the need for effective business management. Farmers rely on research-backed information and resources to make strategic business decisions to expand, transition, diversify or invest. The Dairy Markets Outreach Policy Specialist will provide strategic business information to farmers regardless of their career stage.
Part of the Institute of Agriculture’s Farm Management program, this position will emphasize:
- Situation of the domestic and export market of dairy products
- Price forecasting and futures market expectations
- Dairy price risk management programs
- Federal Milk Marketing Orders
- The structure of farms and the processing sector is developing
Polzin grew up on a century-old dairy farm in Wisconsin and earned a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and agribusiness from UW River Falls and a master’s degree in agricultural and resource economics from Michigan State University. In this role, he has extensive teaching and analyst experience, having developed and presented programs on topics including market updates, market outlook and expectations, risk management reviews and policy analysis. He will have the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Mark Stevenson, Director of the University of Madison’s Center for Dairy Profitability on current dairy market and policy issues.
Source: University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension