WASHINGTON (September 11, 2025) – Today, the Livestock Marketing Council (LMC) of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced opposition to two proposed rules released by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) that raise fees on local sale barns by as much as 1700%.

“Local sale barns are an important part of the cattle industry, local communities, and the economy. They also serve as an essential way for Wisconsin cattle producers to market their livestock,” said LMC Chair Holly Foster. “The proposed rules from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture raise fees on sale barns from $450 to $7,500. This massive increase makes it even harder for local sale barns to stay in business, and these regulations pose a significant threat to Wisconsin’s cattle industry.”

This massive fee increase would make Wisconsin one of the most expensive states for sale barn licensing. By comparison, Minnesota only charges about $300, Illinois charges $200, and Iowa charges just $50 for similar user fees. If this fee increase becomes law many local Wisconsin sale barns will be forced out of business and local cattle producers will have fewer places to sell their cattle, with many being forced to truck their cattle out of state.

“These massive fees are a burden that Wisconsin’s cattle farmers and sale barn owners simply cannot survive,” said Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association President Tressa Lacy. “We urge Governor Tony Evers and Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski to abandon this fee raising plan that would forever harm Wisconsin agriculture.”

Individuals interested in making their voices heard on this proposed regulation are invited to participate in public hearings on Tuesday, September 16 at 1:00 pm or Wednesday, September 17 at 1:00 pm. These hearings will be held at the Prairie Oaks State Office Building, Room 106, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI 53708 and may be attended in-person or virtually. Written comments may also be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by October 15. For more information, please visit www.wisconsincattlemen.com.