New legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin that would require school districts to serve real butter in school meal programs. State Senator Howard Marklein is the Senate author of the bill. He says, “Representative Todd Novak and I have drafted a bill, and it’s being circulated right now, which basically says that you can’t serve…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Wisconsin FFA members win at national convention
Some Wisconsin individuals and chapters brought home awards from the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. First, The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources in six divisions — either individually…… read more
Wisconsin Pork Association urges participation in Thursday rule hearing
The Wisconsin Pork Association is urging producers to testify Thursday in favor of removing state guidelines for PRRS and PEDv testing. Morgan Worek tells Brownfield the testing guidelines within ATCP10 added cost and red tape without helping pigs or farmers. “We have not seen improved swine health benefits specifically related to PRRS and PEDv. We’ve…… read more
Wisconsin bill would require labeling lab grown protein
Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require additional labeling for cultivated protein. State Senator Romaine Quinn says Senate Bill 560 would place labeling requirements on food products that contain cultured animal cells or tissue. “I think consumers truly want to support their local farm economies and you can only do that if you…… read more
Hearing held on Wisconsin foreign ag land ownership bill
Note: Wisconsin Radio Network’s Bob Hague covered the hearing at the Capitol for Brownfield. State legislation prohibiting foreign adversaries from acquiring Wisconsin agricultural or forestry land had a hearing this week. Representative and Assembly author William Penterman said according to USDA, 2.6% or roughly 600,000 acres of Wisconsin farmland is owned by foreign persons. “It…… read more
Legislation introduced to halt Wisconsin animal fee increases
Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced legislation that would take away the ag department’s ability to raise fees on animal markets, animal dealers, animal truckers, and animal transport vehicles. Farmer and State Representative Travis Tranel tells Brownfield the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s proposed fees go up as much as 17-hundred percent, which is unreasonable…… read more
Dairy farmer suggests alternative to Argentine beef imports
A dairy farmer is opposed to importing beef from Argentina. Mike Yager farms near Mineral Point in southwestern Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield there’s a way to increase beef supplies while helping to solve another problem. “I think that maybe we need to encourage sales of dairy cows, strictly going to slaughter. That will put beef…… read more
Combines keep rolling in Wisconsin
Harvesting continues in Wisconsin. Joe Amberg has farmland near Hillsdale that he rents to a neighbor, and says his combines are rolling. “Corn hasn’t been touched in this area yet but beans are getting worked on, yes.” Amy Penterman and her husband Sander have a dairy farm near Thorp, and they have wrapped up corn…… read more
Eastern Equine Encephalitis reported in central Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s first 2025 case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been reported. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says a five-month old colt contracted the disease in Marathon County. Both Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus are carried by mosquitoes and cannot pass directly between horses and humans. The ag department says EEE…… read more
Wisconsin farmers fear Portage County ordinance would make it harder to keep farming
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau is concerned that a patchwork of local regulations could severely impact the state’s agriculture industry. Farm Bureau’s Director of Local Government Nate Zimdars tells Brownfield a proposed ordinance Portage County board members are fast-tracking would be more restrictive than existing state law. “Extra restrictions that would regulate things such as air quality, emissions,…… read more