State officials say Wisconsin’s participation in the national milk testing strategy for the H5N1 virus will have little impact on producers. Adam Brock, the ag department’s Division Administrator for Food and Recreational Safety says Wisconsin chose to use a milk collection and testing system that was already in place for testing milk quality. “Those samples…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Wisconsin corn planting heads into final stretch
Dry weather helped spur planting and emergence across Wisconsin last week. USDA says 73 percent of the state’s corn is now planted, with 23 percent emerged. Soybeans are 66 percent planted and 19 percent emerged. Oats are 83 percent planted and 48 percent emerged, with condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Potatoes are 84…… read more
Milk sampling to begin in Wisconsin
Milk from Wisconsin dairy farms will be tested for the avian influenza virus soon as part of the national milk testing plan. Ag Secretary Randy Romanski says as part of the national milk testing strategy, mandatory milk samples will be collected. “We’re going to be working with partners where we’re going to get one sample…… read more
Minneapolis Fed survey reflects continued weakness in ag economy
A survey of Upper Midwestern banks that specialize in ag lending shows net farm income decreasing along with less capital spending. Joe Mahon with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis says incomes have been declining for nearly two years in the 9th District, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas, and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan. “We…… read more
Sarah Hagenow selected as 78th Alice in Dairyland
Wisconsin’s new Alice in Dairyland is Sarah Hagenow from Poynette. Hagenow was chosen from six top candidates during ceremonies held in Crawford County Saturday, and she tells Brownfield she’s ready to represent Wisconsin agriculture. “I’m just excited to show how my skills and capabilities will help the Alice program and also showcase a little bit…… read more
Lack of rain affecting weed programs
A University of Wisconsin weed specialist says the lack of rain has given some weeds an advantage over crops. Rodrigo Werle tells Brownfield it was dry for more than ten days before Thursday’s storm system, which was good for planting but not good for weed control. “We’ve planted a lot of crops. We’ve sprayed our…… read more
Farmer says ag service isn’t always there when needed
A Wisconsin farmer says parts and service need to be more available during key times like planting and harvest. Raymond Dietrich raises crops for his dairy near Green Bay. He tells Brownfield when it’s time to roll, a weekend breakdown can be a serious problem. “Down time for us is huge, and yet it seems…… read more
Northeast Wisconsin farmer delayed by wet fields
A northeastern Wisconsin dairy farmer says he needs a couple of dry days so he can get into the fields. Raymond Dietrich farms near Green Bay and tells Brownfield it’s a good day to fix a cultivator since the fields are not quite ready to apply manure or start tillage. “Eventually, we got some grass…… read more
Endvick named Wisconsin Farmers Union Executive Director
Wisconsin Farmers Union has a new Executive Director. Danielle Endvick has been named to replace Julie Keown-Bomar, who is retiring. Endvick tells Brownfield her involvement in Wisconsin Farmers Union began long ago. “I walked into Farmers Union first as a member, then joined the team in 2014 as the Communications Director. More recently, my work…… read more
Planting pace picks up in Wisconsin
The planting pace has picked up in Wisconsin. USDA says only half of one day last week wasn’t suitable for fieldwork, and farmers took advantage of the weather. Forty-four percent of the state’s corn is now planted, a day ahead of the five-year average. Five percent of the corn has emerged. Forty percent of the…… read more