After the fallout from Iowa-based Pure Prairie Poultry’s abrupt closure, a Wisconsin contract farmer says he gave all of the birds away. Terry Filla tells Brownfield people came from near and far to take the free chickens. “Quite a few of them went over to Green Bay to one guy. He took probably 15,000. We’ve seen Illinois…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
New Wisconsin Corn leader looks forward to growing organization
The new Executive Director for the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board wants to get more farmers involved in promoting corn. Brenda Damrow Gudex was recently promoted by the board from Communications Director to lead the organization earlier this month. She tells Brownfield expanding the markets for Wisconsin’s corn farmers is just one of her goals. “To…… read more
Wisconsin harvest gets closer to finish line
Harvest continues in Wisconsin, and some farmers are getting fertilizer applications and fall tillage done. USDA statistician Greg Bussler says ninety-four percent of the corn for grain is mature and 44% of that corn is already in the bin. That’s 12 days ahead of average. Moisture content for grain corn was averaging 19% last week …… read more
Stray voltage remains a problem for some farms
Stray electrical voltage has caused serious problems for some Wisconsin dairy farms. Bryanna Handel and her husband operate a dairy near Barnaveld, Wisconsin. She says, “Back in December, we noticed that our cows were acting very agitated, and coincidentally the same day, they turned on the new substation a half mile from our farm.” Handel…… read more
Northwest Wisconsin farmers donate to hurricane relief
Hay and supplies from northwestern Wisconsin have been donated and delivered to hurricane victims. Kurt Wohlk is a truck driver who also helps on his family’s Almena, Wisconsin farm. He tells Brownfield he hoped to get enough hay to fill his flatbed semi, but the donations kept coming to the Barron County Fairgrounds in Rice…… read more
Ag groups concerned about Trump tariff threats
Some farmers and farm groups are concerned proposed tariffs would devastate agriculture and rural communities. On a call with reporters Wednesday, Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish said this is an opportune time to discuss the impact of former President Trump’s campaign promise to impose tariffs if he is elected. “This is timely because we…… read more
Cranberry farming has changed over the last century
A fifth-generation cranberry farmer says a lot has changed in the 101 years of her family farm. Lisa Potter with Cutler Cranberry Company north of Camp Douglas tells Brownfield in the 1920s, it was a much different cranberry market than today. “Everything, of course, was sold fresh. We didn’t have any of the wonderful products…… read more
Wisconsin’s harvest continues
The dry conditions continued in Wisconsin last week, allowing for rapid harvest progress. USDA statistician Greg Bussler says a killing frost occurred in northern Wisconsin last week, and the fast-paced harvest for vegetables, cranberries, and potatoes continues, along with soybeans and corn. Eighty-five percent of the corn is mature, with 26% of the corn for…… read more
Egg producer optimistic about recall ending
The egg producer impacted by a recent salmonella recall is optimistic he can begin shipping to customers soon. Milo Bontrager operates Milo’s Poultry Farms near Bonduel, Wisconsin, and packages his eggs and eggs from other producers for his brand, Tony’s Fresh Market, Happy Quackers Farm, and M & E Family Farms. Bontrager tells Brownfield he’s…… read more
USDA all hay production estimate slightly lower
The USDA has cut its outlook for total 2024 hay production slightly. All other hay production is currently pegged at 72.871 million tons, 1.669 million less than the August guess due to a slight decline in the monthly yield figure, down 0.4 to 2.03 tons per acre, but still up 4.018 million from 2023 thanks…… read more