Researchers are looking for ways to extend the freshness of cheese curds, and that means making the squeak last longer. Consumers of cheese curds know the more squeak you hear while eating them, the fresher they are. Rani Govindasamy-Lucey’s research team is working to understand what makes the squeak and how to make it last…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
USDA announces more than $24 million in REAP funds for rural Wisconsin businesses
Thirteen rural businesses in Wisconsin have been awarded more than $24 million from the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to become more energy efficient. The largest project, a $22.6 million loan, will support the development of a dairy manure anaerobic digester in Brown County which will convert methane to renewable gas. The other…… read more
Harvest about done, field work continues in Wisconsin
Above normal temperatures allowed Wisconsin farmers to continue with harvesting and fall field work in between rain events. USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says Wisconsin had 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork, with precipitation events common in the eastern and southern parts of the state. The corn for grain harvest continued, with 94% of that corn…… read more
Wisconsin ag impact on economy grows
Cabbage field in Wisconsin The economic impact of agriculture on Wisconsin’s economy is 11.5 billion dollars higher in just five years. New data from the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics shows the impact of agriculture in 2017 was 104.8 billion dollars, but 2022 data shows ag production, and the food processing…… read more
Wisconsin harvest running ahead
Recent rains have been good for fall planted crops in Wisconsin. The USDA says the state’s corn crop is 89 percent harvested, ahead of the five-year average, with about 16 percent moisture. Winter wheat is 89 percent emerged with condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. The post Wisconsin harvest running ahead appeared first on…… read more
Be careful if cutting back on 2025 crop inputs
An agronomist says with commodity prices so low, farmers are looking for more ways to lower crop production costs in 2025. Scott Rowntree with Pioneer in Wisconsin says corn acreage in his state stays consistent because of the dairy industry’s need for corn silage, but growers focused on grain are looking for ways to be…… read more
Recent rains improved fall tillage conditions
A northcentral Wisconsin farmer says last week’s slow and steady rain greatly improved field conditions. T.J. Draeger tells Brownfield he had over two inches of rain a little at a time, which softened the soil. He says early attempts at fall tillage in the hard and dry ground were challenging. “We were wearing out plow…… read more
USDA trims 2024 corn, soybean crop outlooks
The USDA has lowered its expectations for this year’s corn and soybean crops. Corn production is now pegged at 15.143 billion bushels, less than 1% below the October guess on a 0.7 bushel cut in the still record large average yield estimate of 183.1 bushels per acre. Harvested area was steady with last month at…… read more
Wisconsin Farm Bureau says election brought mixed results
A Wisconsin Farm Bureau leader says Tuesday’s election brought opportunities and some disappointment. Jason Mugnaini tells Brownfield with Republicans taking the White House and Senate, it’s not the time to take their foot off the gas on important issues for farmers. “Talking about a farm bill, talking about issues that matter to this state, finding…… read more
Farmland sales continue slowdown
Farmland sales continued to slow this year. Compeer Financial director of appraisal Dave Dinderman says there’s been about a 20 percent decrease in sales compared to 2023. “And while that may not seem like much, that’s a continuation of a trend of fewer and fewer sales over the prior few years.” He tells Brownfield with…… read more