A Wisconsin farmer who serves in the State Legislature says his fellow farmers would be wise to pay attention to bills being considered at the Capitol. Republican Travis Tranel operates a dairy and crop farm near Cuba City. He is also an author of Assembly Bill 31, which along with companion Senate Bill 8 would…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Compeer Financial supporting fairs across multiple states
County fairs across three states are receiving a boost thanks to Compeer Financial. Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving, says the company’s County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program has awarded $242,000 to 61 county fairs in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. “Upgrading hog pens, a lot of electrical updates, a lot of updates to wash racks,…… read more
Many ag programs, policies to be stripped from new Wisconsin budget
A lobbyist for agriculture says Wisconsin’s next state budget from the Legislature will remove policy items from the Governor’s proposed budget, potentially putting some ag programs on hold. Shawn Pfaff with Pfaff Public Affairs tells Brownfield Republicans will likely require separate bills to authorize and fund programs even if they already exist. “The Finance Committee…… read more
Optimism about Ag Road funds as Wisconsin legislature begins work on budget details
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance gets down to details on the next biennial budget Thursday. Farmer and Assembly Ag Committee Chair Travis Tranel tells Brownfield the state spends about 100-billion dollars over the two year period, but Governor Tony Evers has proposed spending 120 billion. “I think most people realize a twenty-percent increase…… read more
Wisconsin’s ag lemon law hearing uneventful
A public hearing was held Tuesday for the latest bill before Wisconsin state lawmakers that would create a lemon law for agricultural equipment. Senate Bill 8 would create a lemon law covering expensive agricultural equipment similar to the lemon law already in place for cars and trucks. The Senate Transportation and Local Government Committee held…… read more
Planter parked, sprayer going
A southwestern Wisconsin farmer is battling weeds now that the planter is back in the shed. Mike Berget tells Brownfield he wrapped up planting more than 11-thousand acres of corn and soybeans, but now, it’s time to go after the yield-robbing weeds. “I’m seeing the foxtails coming, you know, just like the corn, whenever the…… read more
Wisconsin’s meat processing, talent initiatives paying off
Wisconsin’s Ag Secretary says investments to help the state’s meat processors has been paying off. Randy Romanski says, “As a result of the grants, they are increasing their sales, they’re spurring additional economic investment, and they’re creating jobs.” Romanski tells Brownfield the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants Program was something the Governor and the Legislature agreed…… read more
WI planting progress varies greatly depending on region
Wisconsin planting progress ranges from completely finished to not even started, depending on where you look. Some regions have been wet, others dry, and soil temperatures have been cooler in the north until recently. USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says sixteen percent of the state’s corn is planted, which is two days behind last year…… read more
Wisconsin soil moisture levels vary as some planters get rolling
Some Wisconsin farmers are glad to get a break from rain long enough to plant, while others are hoping for a long, slow soaking rain after planting wraps up. Cal Dalton raises about 13-hundred acres of hay, wheat, oats, corn, and soybeans plus beef cattle near Endeavor in south-central Wisconsin, and says the planter is…… read more
Wisconsin whey protein plant sold
A Wisconsin dairy ingredients plant has been sold, and the new owners will expand its capacity. Actus Nutrition, formerly known as Milk Specialties acquired the Foremost Farms Sparta, Wisconsin facility. The Sparta site is the seventh Actus Nutrition production site in Wisconsin and will continue to make whey protein products. Actus also plans to…… read more