A former USDA official and six-term Wisconsin Assembly member has died. Betty Jo Nelsen served in the administration of President George H. W. Bush as administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture, and in 1992, was nominated to serve as assistant secretary of agriculture for food and consumer…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
University of Wisconsin merges agronomy update meetings
Wisconsin farmers and crop consultants can now get more agronomy information while attending fewer meetings. University of Wisconsin weed scientist Rodrigo Werle tells Brownfield instead of having separate meetings at different times of the year, all of the research information will be available during the Badger Crops and Soils Update Meetings. “We used to have…… read more
Trade missions important for Wisconsin ag
Wisconsin leaders are working to increase trade opportunities around the world. State Ag Secretary Randy Romanski tells Brownfield he took part in a trade mission to Kenya last year, and another Wisconsin delegation just returned from Kenya, and Tanzania. “Like many countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, they are really focused on trying to increase…… read more
New research investigates additional cover crop benefits
A new multi-state and multi-year research project is digging deeper into the benefits of cover crops. Marta Moura Kohmann with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield rye cover crops were seeded this fall, and they will plant corn and alfalfa into those fields this spring. “The twist here is that a couple of the cover…… read more
Weather slowed Wisconsin fieldwork
Wisconsin farmers are ahead of average for harvesting, but last week’s weather slowed them down. USDA reporters say Wisconsin’s corn for grain harvest is 97% finished. Ninety-seven percent of the winter wheat crop has emerged, with 74% of that crop in good to excellent condition. That’s a percentage point better than a week ago, thanks…… read more
Phone app teaches best practices for moving cattle
Teaching people how to safely move cattle is a little easier thanks to a free training tool. Jennifer Van Os is an assistant professor and animal care extension specialist with the University of Wisconsin. She tells Brownfield a free game application for smart phones helps teach people the safe way to move cattle. It’s called…… read more
Hybrid selection key for 2025
An agronomist with LG Seeds says success in 2025 starts with corn hybrid selection. Samantha Agnotti, who’s based in Wisconsin, says farmers should begin with an honest evaluation of 2024. “Now is the time.” She says, “Harvest season is fresh in your mind. It’s the time to start looking into next year. We know what…… read more
Researchers work to make cheese curds squeaky longer
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
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