Wisconsin agriculture officials have suspended poultry exhibitions in four counties because of recent highly pathogenic avian influenza cases. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection suspended all poultry shows, exhibitions, swap meets, and movement of poultry to other events in Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth, and Rock counties through December 31, 2025. The ban applies to…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Wisconsin’s ag road improvement program open for new applications
Wisconsin’s Agricultural Road Improvement Program is now open for new grant applications. Farmer and State Representative Travis Tranel is one of the program’s original authors. He tells Brownfield the 150 million dollars in each of the last two state budget cycles is going to be extremely valuable for moving ag products on and off the…… read more
Silage harvest winding down in Wisconsin
Some Wisconsin farmers are done harvesting corn silage, and others aren’t far behind. Ben Augustine operates a dairy farm near Sheldon, and tells Brownfield he’s in the home stretch. “I’ve got 65 acres left and I think I’ve got about 800 done.” Augustine says some of his northern Wisconsin neighbors are combining soybeans and yields…… read more
Good yield helps Wisconsin farmer make up for bad prices
A Wisconsin farmer is grateful for this year’s nearly-perfect growing conditions and surprisingly good soybean yields. Steve Duwe farms near Johnson Creek, and tells Brownfield this has been an exceptional year for soybeans. “My longterm soybean average is usually is up to 55 (bushels per acre) or a little better over all of the past…… read more
West Bend, Wisconsin farmers’ market voted one of nation’s best
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
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