A livestock economist says tight supplies will force more beef imports in 2025. Brenda Boetel with the University of Wisconsin River Falls tells Brownfield says the U.S. imported almost 4.4 billion pounds of beef in 2024. “That’s about an 18-19 percent increase over 2023 and we really expect in 2025 we’ll probably continue to increase…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Nitrogen optimization program already helping farmers plan for ‘25
The State of Wisconsin is backing a nitrogen optimization pilot program, and some of the early research is helping farmers plan for 2025. Matt Ruark with the University of Wisconsin says field experiments will continue as the second year of the study begins. He tells Brownfield his team is working with farmers around the state…… read more
Agristo selects North Dakota for expansion
A major potato processor has chosen Grand Forks, North Dakota as the site for a new plant to make frozen potato products. In a statement, Agristo says it chose the North Dakota as its first U.S. location for their high-quality potato farming, availability of potatoes, and sufficient market scale for its private label products. The…… read more
USDA reports higher hay production in 2024
U.S. hay production was up in 2024. The USDA says total production of 122.462 million tons was 3% larger than 2023, with a decline in harvested area to 49.39 million acres more than canceled out by a rise in average yield to 2.48 tons per acre. That included 49.84 million tons of alfalfa and mixtures,…… read more
Hemp growers eyeing farm bill discussions
The president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association says the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill means their industry can continue to flourish under current federal regulations. Rachel Berry says the hemp industry is closely monitoring the ongoing negotiations of a new five-year bill. “There are talks of changing the farm bill and making things…… read more
Winter wheat planted area rises
U.S. farmers planted more winter wheat. The USDA says all major types saw higher acreage on some expectations for improved export demand, along with continued solid domestic demand. The total of 34.115 million acres was up 2% on the year, including a 1% rise for hard red winter wheat in the southern and central Plains…… read more
2024 U.S. soybean production tops 2023
The USDA says 2024 soybean production topped 2023. The crop of 4.366 billion bushels was up 5% on the year, with an average yield of 50.7 bushels per acre on harvested area of 86.05 million acres. In 2023, production was 4.162 billion bushels with an average yield of 50.6 bushels per acre on harvested area…… read more
Snowier second half of January expected for Upper Midwest
An abnormally dry start to winter in the Upper Midwest could soon give way to wetter conditions. Bret Walts with BAMWX says the western half of the country has been warmer than the eastern half, which favors a southern storm track. “But what happens as we work into I would say mid-January and beyond, the…… read more
Salentine named Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair
Wisconsin has a new Fairest of the Fairs. Megan Salentine from Kewaunee County was selected from a group of 33 county and district Fairest of the Fairs to serve as ambassador for the Wisconsin Association of Fairs. Salentine is the daughter of Jenny and Josh Salentine of Luxemburg and is a student at St. Norbert…… read more
December in Wisconsin warm, mostly dry
December was warm and dry for Wisconsin. The USDA says average statewide temperatures were nearly 5 degrees above normal, while precipitation was just under usual levels, with some farmers reporting concerns about the effects of low snow cover on fall planted crops. Fieldwork during the month included the application of fertilizer and manure. The USDA’s…… read more