Wisconsin’s legislature plans to vote Wednesday, July 2nd on the biennial budget package. Farmer and 49th Assembly District representative Travis Tranel tells Brownfield several programs good for agriculture and rural communities will be funded. “At the end of the day, we were able to fund the dairy processor grants, 800-thousand for that, meat processor grants,…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Final Wisconsin state budget package renews ag road program
The Wisconsin biennial budget package could be sent to the Governor Wednesday, and if signed, would renew a popular rural road improvement program. Farmer and 49th Assembly District representative Travis Tranel tells Brownfield the Agricultural Road Improvement Program, or ARIP will continue through 2027 at the same 150-million dollar funding level as the last biennium.…… read more
Tick issues on rise
A central Illinois veterinarian says he’s seeing an increase in tick-related issues. Dr. Derek McFarland, of Jubilee Hills Veterinary Service in Princeville, says a stretch of relatively mild winters has led to more overwintering by the parasites. “The amount of bugs, and the amount of ticks in particularly, the past two years are coming out…… read more
Rainfall, crop conditions vary along Illinois-Wisconsin line
USDA says most Wisconsin crops remain in good condition after a week of mixed weather conditions. Just over three days were suitable for fieldwork in the week ending Sunday. Mike Berget raises corn and soybeans in LaFayette and Green County, Wisconsin and Stephenson County, Illinois. He tells Brownfield rainfall amounts vary widely. “South of Highway…… read more
Baldwin says proposed SNAP cuts impact farmers, state budgets
A Wisconsin Senator opposed to reconciliation bill cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program says farmers would be hurt as well as low-income families. Democrat Tammy Baldwin tells Brownfield in her state alone, farm direct food sales to pantries and nutrition programs are impacted. “Those have had significant impacts on farms throughout the State of…… read more
Reliable Rail Service bill reintroduced
Two U.S. Senators are making another attempt to bring reasonable rates and reliable service to America’s railroad customers. Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin says she and Kansas Republican Roger Marshall have re-introduced the Reliable Rail Service Act. “Our farmers, our manufacturers, our producers, they’re paying sky-high prices for sub-par rail service to get their goods to market,…… read more
Forage harvest going well for SW Wisconsin farmer
A southwestern Wisconsin dairy farmer has been busy bagging forage. Mike Yager raises crops to feed his 275 Holsteins near Mineral Point, in Iowa County. He tells Brownfield, “We got our triticale chopped on Sunday and then we done about 120 acres of second-crop on Monday.” Yager says three and a half inches of rain…… read more
Warm and wet conditions spurred Wisconsin crops
Last week’s warm temperatures and scattered showers were good for crop growth. USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says corn emergence was at 96% as of Sunday, with 76% of the crop in good to excellent condition. That’s up 5% from a week ago. Ninety-four percent of Wisconsin’s soybeans have emerged, and there are some scattered…… read more
Weather systems are not bringing rain to everyone
Rainfall amounts have varied widely in Wisconsin during June, affecting crop conditions. Andy Bensend raises corn, wheat, and soybeans near Dallas in northwestern Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield moisture has not been a problem for his farm so far. “Since the last ten days, we’ve been getting enough moisture so that our topsoils are fully recharged. …… read more
More wheat in rotation helps Wisconsin farm
A northwestern Wisconsin farmer has been busy haying and spraying but is spraying less after gradually changing his crop rotation plan. Andy Bensend raises corn, soybeans, and wheat in Barron County and does custom harvesting of hay for nearby dairies. He tells Brownfield the sprayers have been out. “We’re doing the second pass of residuals…… read more