The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is using a national model to show state growers where their checkoff dollars are being spent. Farmer and Board President Jonathan Gibbs tells Brownfield he has participated in the See for Yourself Tour through the United Soybean Board’s national checkoff and wanted to do the same thing at the state…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Bankers concerned about possible tariff impacts on customers
Wisconsin bankers report more positive economic signs, but they are concerned about possible new tariffs that can affect the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Rose Oswald Poels is the President and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association says a survey of bankers shows President Trump’s planned August 1st tariffs could lead to a tougher second-half of…… read more
Alfalfa can help control problem resistant weeds
A common forage crop can help bring problem weeds under control. University of Wisconsin research biologist Mark Renz tells Brownfield herbicide-resistant weeds like waterhemp and ragweed have been controlled for years by dairy and organic farms by planting and harvesting alfalfa. “We’re harvesting it every 28 to 35 days. That’s not enough time for them…… read more
Legislation would expand access to mental health care
New federal legislation would make it easier for farmers to access mental health care services. The Farmers First Act introduced by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Iowa Republican Joni Ernst would increase support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), a program the two senators successfully included in the 2018 Farm Bill. The…… read more
Wisconsin crops good, but getting dry hay a challenge
Frequent light rains have been beneficial to crops in most areas of Wisconsin. Jonathan Gibbs farms in the Fox Lake area and is also the current President of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. He says, “In my neighborhood, we’re looking pretty good.” The southernmost counties received the most rain, with some areas in Grant, Lafayette,…… read more
Wisconsin Supreme Court decision could impact farmers
A Wisconsin Senator says a recent State Supreme Court decision might create more legal challenges on the state’s farms. Howard Marklein says the high court ruled in favor of Governor Tony Evers and against him saying, “the power to pause, object to, or suspend administrative rules before and after promulgation are unconstitutional.” Marklein tells Brownfield…… read more
CHS to close Port of Superior grain facility
CHS has announced they will close their Superior, Wisconsin grain terminal this fall. The cooperative has notified the State of Wisconsin by letter, saying 23 laborers will be out of work September 8th, and two managers will be terminated at the end of the year. The Port of Superior facility was built in 1936. and…… read more
Label changes force potato growers to adjust fungicide plans
University of Wisconsin research is seeking fungicide use alternatives for potato growers after a popular product became more restricted. Plant disease expert Amanda Gevens says ongoing research is looking at fungicide application on potatoes at various times, rates, and sequences to keep disease inoculum, low during the growing season, including applications at hilling time. “That…… read more
Farmer’s beef on dairy expanded to on-farm processing
A Wisconsin dairy farmer who was an early adopter of raising beef calves for an extra revenue stream says it has really helped his bottom line. Randy Ebert and his family milk 68-hundred Holsteins, and they also sell Angus-Holstein cross calves. He says, “This is one of the few things that is helping us combat…… read more
Wisconsin crops benefit from heat, moisture
Recent heat and plenty of rain have been good for most Wisconsin crops. James Giese raises about 14-hundred acres of crops to feed his dairy herd near Alma Center, and he tells Brownfield the corn is finally starting to take off. “It started out kind of slow and yellow, and I think we got some…… read more