April 22, 2004

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Tourism industry critical to state's northern counties

The travel and tourism industry's impact on incomes in Wisconsin's northern counties is twice that in the rest of the state.

In 2001, travel and tourism spending accounted for an estimated 12.5 percent of wages, salaries and proprietors' incomes in the state's 27 northern counties. In central and southern counties, the percentage was a more modest 5.8 percent. This is one of the findings in a new study by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to public-policy research and citizen education.

Door County ranked first on this measure of economic impact, with tourism spending generating nearly two-thirds of wages, salaries and proprietors' incomes in 2001. Bayfield (63.9 percent) was second and, in two other counties, tourism accounted for more than half of wages and salaries: Vilas (57.9 percent) and Iron (52.5 percent).

The report, "Room Taxes and Tourism Trends," also examined tourism spending per capita. Statewide, per capita tourism spending averaged $2,141 in 2002. In Wisconsin's 27 northern counties, 2002 traveler spending averaged $2,806 per resident, 40 percent more than in the southern part of the state, WISTAX noted.

In nine of the state's 72 counties, per capita spending was more than twice the state average. Tourism spending per capita was highest in Door County ($15,684), followed closely by Sauk ($15,110). Vilas County ($10,950) was the only other county with per capita tourism spending of more than $10,000.

Of the top 10 counties, Walworth is the only one in the southern part of the state. Sauk, Adams and Green Lake are all in central Wisconsin, while the remaining six are in the northern section.

The WISTAX report also details estimated traveler expenditures provided to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism by Davison-Peterson Associates. The report notes the significant differences in travel/tourism spending by season. In 2002, summer travelers spent $1.4 billion per month; fall travelers spent $945.8 million; and winter/spring tourists spent $685 million per month.

In 2002, more than half of the $11.7 billion spent by travelers was on shopping (30 percent) and food (24 percent). Lodging accounted for 13 percent and transportation 6 percent. The remaining 27 percent was spent on recreation.

The growing importance of Indian casinos is evident in the figures; nearly one in four recreation dollars was spent on wagering.


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Wisconsin gasoline prices still rising

The state gasoline average increased more than 7 cents in the last month, according to AAA.

The current average price for a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Wisconsin is $1.821, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report. The current average is 7.1 cents higher than a month ago at this time and 23.6 cents higher than a year ago.

Other average prices for gas in the region are: Illinois, $1.819; Iowa, $1.711; Minnesota, $1.740; and Michigan, $1.774.

The national average is currently a record high of $1.780. Wisconsin's record high stands at $1.953, recorded in June 2000.

AAA Wisconsin, which serves more than 590,000 members, offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group, the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest.

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Detecting sick cattle early could mean life or death

Identifying a sick calf early can make the difference between life and death.

When treated early, most calves have an excellent chance at survival. However, if a calf is sick for even a few days, treatment regimens are less likely to be effective, resulting in a chronically ill or even dead calf.

"It is critical to recognize a sick calf, especially early on. All of the drugs in the world won't work if no one knows the calf is sick," said Dr. John Lynch, a veterinary consultant.

Starting a calf on a treatment regimen late one afternoon instead of the next day could make a big impact on its recovery, according to YourCattle.com.

When identifying a sick calf, Dr. Bob Bohlender, a veterinarian in North Platte, Neb., said there are several things to look for when identifying a sick calf.

"Often a calf will hang back away from the others the day before he shows other symptoms," Bohlender said.

A sick calf is typically listless, droopy and nonresponsive, according to Lynch.

"He might lay down and not want to get up. Or if the pen has just been fed, he won't eat with other cattle."

The calf might also stand near the water, but rarely drink.

"Notice his appearance, Lynch said. "Watch for dull eyes and a droopy head. He may or may not cough or have a nasal or eye discharge."

Dr. Blane Lowe, senior veterinarian with Pfizer Animal Health, said, " A calf may also hold his neck stretched out and appear dehydrated. Look for the degree of fill," he said.

A calf that is not eating or drinking will be sunken in behind the ribs, especially on the left side.

"Some cattle will slobber," Bohlender said, "while others will have some edema, or swelling, under the jaw. Edema is typical of a calf with BRSV."

As the air temperature increases, so will the symptoms.

"Heat adds an additional stress, even on healthy cattle," Lowe said. "But a sick calf carrying a degree of lung disease will look even worse. Due to the health, sick cattle are usually easiest to find first thing in the morning. Once they are jostled around, they are harder to detect."

The key to recovery is early detection. Being attuned to know what to look for helps insure a sick calf will be identified when it first shows symptoms.

For more information on cattle, check www.yourcattle.com.

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March 2004 unemployment rates announced

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development secretary Roberta Gassman announced Wisconsin's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2004 is estimated at 5.1 percent in preliminary figures.

The March 2003 seasonally adjusted rate was 5.8 percent and the February 2004 seasonally adjusted rate was 5.2 percent. The March 2004 seasonally adjusted rate for the United States was estimated at 5.7 percent.

"While Wisconsin's job market experience last month shows improvement over one year ago and the prior month, difficulties with manufacturing continue to weigh upon the state's struggling labor market," Gassman said.

Job growth in the nonfarm wage and salary economy was positive but not robust. Wisconsin's increase between February and March was 13,400 jobs, which is near the seasonal norm. Over the past 12 years, the normal increase in jobs between February and March has been just under 9,000.

Industries seeing the biggest increases were construction, trade, leisure and hospitality and government. Although the government sector saw an increase of 2,400 jobs between February and March, the government sector remains 6,800 jobs below the March 2003 level.

Construction, trade, private education and health services, leisure and hospitality have all seen sizeable increases from last year's March figure.

Although manufacturing losses in March 2004 are fairly small, that industry is still reporting losses. Manufacturing is down 4,700 jobs from March of 2003 and lost 1,600 jobs between February and March.

In unadjusted figures, Wisconsin's unemployment rate was 6.2 percent compared to 6.9 percent in March of 2003 and 6.5 percent in February of 2004.

The number of people reported to be unemployed in Wisconsin's labor market was estimated at 191,200 for March compared to 200,100 in February and 209,800 in March of 2003. That was the fewest number of people unemployed in March in Wisconsin since March of 2001, the beginning of the latest national recession.

The drop in unemployment rates was more attributable to a decrease in job seekers rather than an increase in employment.

There were 6,900 fewer people in the labor force in March than in February. The number of people estimated to be employed increased by 2,200 from February figures.

There are 64,700 more people employed in Wisconsin in March 2004 than there were in March 2003. The national unadjusted unemployment rate for March 2004 was 6.0 percent.

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