MADISON – The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors is voicing concerns regarding transmission line projects proposed in Southern Wisconsin. In an internal analysis of the projects’ scope, WFBF estimates that more than 3,000 Farm Bureau member landowners could be directly impacted by the projects, with many more potentially affected by the broader impacts on farms, agribusinesses and farmland.
“While we continue to identify and document the full range of impacts these projects will have, one thing is certain: there will be significant consequences on Wisconsin agriculture,” said WFBF President Brad Olson. “These projects are moving too fast to properly address our members’ concerns and thoroughly evaluate the negative consequences of infrastructure of this scale.”
The proposed transmission corridors cross some of the most productive agricultural land in the state. Agronomic analyses estimate average yields of 199.8 bushels of corn and 55.2 bushels of soybeans per acre along the proposed routes, demonstrating the significant agricultural productivity at stake.
The economic consequences could be substantial. Initial analysis estimates approximately $2,330 per mile per year in direct and near-tower crop losses for a typical corn-soybean rotation, which would approach $450,000 in lost agricultural production every year. These estimates do not account for additional costs associated with farming around transmission structures such as soil compaction, drainage disruptions, insurance increases, reduced operational efficiency and other long-term impacts to agricultural productivity.
“Lost production value doesn’t only impact the farmer directly but extends to the local rural economies and small businesses that depend on those acres for their book of business,” said WFBF Executive Director of Government Relations Jason Mugnaini. “That estimate also does not include construction damage, drain-tile repairs, ongoing operational and management challenges, property-value impacts or longer-term losses caused by these projects.”
A transmission line of this scale can permanently change how surrounding acres are farmed and reduce productivity and efficiency of agricultural land well beyond the footprint of an individual structure.
Olson added, “Wisconsin agriculture understands the importance of reliable and resilient energy infrastructure. Farmers, like all Wisconsinites, depend on it. But recognizing the importance of reliable electricity does not mean that infrastructure of this magnitude should advance without a clear demonstration that it is necessary, properly located and worth the costs it imposes on Wisconsin ratepayers and the people whose land, livelihoods and communities will bear its impacts. Until those fundamental questions are answered, moving these projects forward is premature.”
The Board of Directors is encouraging landowners along the BECI study segments and the MariBell proposed route to share how their farms and businesses would be impacted. Landowners from across the state are also invited to share their personal experience with transmission projects to help identify what concerns need to be addressed by the developers before the projects move on to the formal application process with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
