Category Archives: Ag News

Managing weeds with cover crops requires a lot of biomass

A soybean researcher says cover crops can be another mode of action for controlling weeds, but it will take a lot of biomass. Shawn Conley says University of Wisconsin research through weed scientist Rodrigo Werle shows it takes almost five-thousand pounds of dry matter to effectively minimize waterhemp competition with crops.  Conley says one of…read more

Additional strain of H5N1 confirmed in cattle

A research veterinarian says an additional strain of the H5N1 virus has been found in dairy cattle, but it’s one he’s seen before.  Dr. Keith Poulsen with the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tells Brownfield up until recently, farmers and researchers have been dealing with the B313 strain of the H5N1 virus, but now, an additional…read more

Wisconsin research to study soybeans on soybeans

A soybean researcher says the potential for a huge crush market is forcing his team to study soybeans planted after soybeans. Shawn Conley with the University of Wisconsin says normally, his advice is don’t do it because of the increased disease risks and other challenges but Conley says the crop rotations used now might not…read more

Wisconsin livestock numbers above US trend

Wisconsin’s state livestock specialist says Badger state beef producers are growing their herds. Jeff Swenson with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says, “Wisconsin actually, by percentage, had the largest growth of any state in the U.S.” He says Wisconsin’s beef cattle herd size is small compared to the major producing states, but…read more

Wisconsin farmer anticipates no major adjustments to spring schedule

A Wisconsin crop farmer is not expecting any big changes to his spring plans. Shane Goplin raises corn, soybeans, and alfalfa near Osseo, Wisconsin.  He tells Brownfield his spring inputs are lined up. “Everything is secured. I just secured the last of it last week.” Goplin says this winter has been like most every other…read more

Farm financials better than expected

An agricultural lender says farmers are finding ways to make it through the down ag economy. Tyler Martin with Compeer Financial says interest rates are higher than before but also closer to normal. “I’ve only been in the industry about 15 to 20 years, and at the end of the day, interest rates are about…read more

Wisconsin farmer recalls early corn checkoff days

The Wisconsin Corn Growers Association is fifty years old, and the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board has been managing the corn checkoff for forty of them.  Cal Dalton farms near Endeavor has been there through the checkoff’s history. “I first started as a sales representative from Mid State going to Corn Expo just as an exhibitor…read more

Wisconsin’s Governor proposes more road, water, conservation funding

Wisconsin’s Governor Tony Evers says he will propose additional road, water, and conservation funding in his state budget proposal. Evers says he wants to continue the Agricultural Road Improvement Program, which sent 150-million dollars to local governments to improve local roads. “We’re going to keep building on our work in the next budget to make…read more

Planting already? Wisconsin farmer puts a few soybeans in the ground

A Wisconsin farmer known for his many soybean experiments has another test underway.  Ryan Nell farms near Juneau, and he wrapped up January by planting some soybeans. “This is something we’ve never done. We have frost underneath all of this right now. I’ve never planted on top of frost. When you go down and dig…read more

Battle to get wolves off Endangered Species List re-starts

A Wisconsin Congressman is again trying to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List. Seventh District Republican Tom Tiffany tells Brownfield he introduced the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which is almost identical to the Trust the Science Act from last session. “The reason it’s so important is we could get it in statute and…read more