As electricity prices continue to rise in Wisconsin and the costs of renewable energy systems continue to fall, a growing number of the state's large farms are implementing anaerobic digestion to reduce their utility bills and improve the environmental performance on the farm.

These numbers are particularly noteworthy given the dislocation with markets closed to our livestock for a long period of time. Even when we hit a bump, our diverse agriculture enables us to rebound.

We have worked with a steering committee that represents organizations and stakeholders with a vested interest in this project. The committee members want to further the knowledge of the current technologies to reduce air emissions and odor levels in livestock operations. The Wisconsin DNR will also begin in 2007 to implement regulations related to air emissions from livestock operations.

Attending this conference is the single best way for a fish farmer to get expert, hands-on working knowledge of fish farming and to connect with other fish farmers.