The low price of corn has some growers looking to fill bunks instead of bins. Randy Ebert and his family operate a dairy and beef operation near Algoma, Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield it’s been a tough stretch for the cash crop farmers. “Multiple guys that cash crop in the area, they are looking to the…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Wisconsin budget supports ag exports, dairy processors, research, roads
Wisconsin’s dairy industry will continue to benefit from state budget investments. Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells Brownfield the budget provides $2 million in continued funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). “It’s been a tremendous return on investment. Last year, for instance, a 500-thousand dollar investment in dairy exporting…… read more
Poor soybean seed germ affecting stands, yields
A soybean researcher warned of possible seed germ problems this spring, and now says his prediction of poor stands has come true. Shawn Conley with the University of Wisconsin Soybean Program told Brownfield in February and again before planting time that farmers need to read the seed tags and watch for seed germ ratings below…… read more
Del Monte files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Del Monte Foods has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In a statement, the food products producer says, “it is pursuing a value-maximizing sale process as part of an overall strategic balance-sheet restructuring.” Many central Wisconsin farmers are under contract with Del Monte to raise vegetables for the Plover, Wisconsin canning facility. The company has secured…… read more
Important ag provisions included in Wisconsin budget package
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
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