A Wisconsin farmers’ market is ranked tenth-best in the nation. The West Bend farmers’ market was recognized by the American Farmland Trust, which has held the contest for seventeen years. The top farmers’ markets get a share of $15,000 for use in marketing and promotion efforts, and the winners are determined by national public voting.…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
2 avian flu cases in less than 1 week in southwest Wisconsin county
Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a commercial poultry flock in southwest Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says the facility in Jefferson County has been quarantined and birds on the property will be depopulated. Last week a separate commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County tested positive for the…… read more
Mental health concerns grow as farmer suicides increase
Tough economic times have more U.S. farmers reaching out for help. Karen Endress with the Wisconsin Farm Center tells Brownfield more farmers are reaching out for mental health assistance. She says, “We’re busier than ever.” Endres says she was recently at a meeting with her counterparts from other states, and they are also dealing with…… read more
Farm Bureau revives effort to bring lower-cost health plans to Wisconsin
Photo: Brad Olson and Jason Mugnaini from Wisconsin Farm Bureau testify at the Capitol in favor of Farm Bureau Health Plans during a 2024 hearing. Wisconsin Farm Bureau is reviving its efforts to bring another health care option to its members. Farm Bureau Health Plans are an option families can use instead of traditional health…… read more
Dry week lends to Wisconsin harvest progress
A dry week and above average temperatures led to a lot of harvesting in Wisconsin last week. USDA reporters say corn silage, apples, and vegetables were leaving the fields and orchards in the week ending Sunday. Just north of the Wisconsin-Illinois line, Doug Rebout says corn silage is about done in his neighborhood, and he’s…… read more
New Wisconsin legislation aims to support family farmers and feed the hungry
A Wisconsin State Senator has introduced legislation that would help family farmers, rural communities, and consumers. Brad Pfaff says his Ag Purchase Program, Senate Bill 408 is a win-win proposal. “The Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection would work with food pantries and other food non-profit distribution facilities in order to make sure…… read more
UW expert: Lack of reliable data limits farm safety education efforts
A University of Wisconsin farm safety specialist says educating farmers and the general public about rural safety requires good data that’s not always easy to get. John Shutske with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield not every state is the same when it comes to reporting road crash data, and much of the information they…… read more
U.S. soybean farmers slam federal aid to Argentina as markets shift to foreign competitors
U.S. soybean farmers are asking why the Trump administration is assisting foreign competitors. The American Soybean Association and many of their state soybean organizations are critical of the aid. Doug Rebout is with the Wisconsin Soybean Association. “The federal government goes and gives twenty billion dollars to our soybean competitor down in Argentina to help…… read more
Northern Wisconsin counties getting started on corn silage
A northwestern Wisconsin farmer and custom harvester says harvesting corn silage starts this week. Andy Bensend farms between Dallas and Prairie Farm. He tells Brownfield, “The guys on the lighter soils down around Durand, they’ve been at corn silage for a little while but we’re always a week or ten days behind them, and so…… read more
Wisconsin prepares for surge in international delegations at World Dairy Expo
Wisconsin’s Ag Secretary says he’s expecting more foreign visitors at this year’s World Dairy Expo. Set-up is underway for next week’s World Dairy Expo in Madison, and Randy Romanski tells Brownfield this is where the world comes to for dairy knowledge, animals, experience, and genetics and his team is prepared to meet with more foreign…… read more