Hay and silage harvesting were the top activities for many Wisconsin farmers last week. USDA reporters say topsoil moisture levels are only 36% adequate, 40% short, and 24% very short. Ninety-two percent of Wisconsin’s corn is in the dough stage or beyond, with 66% dented. Sixteen percent of the corn crop is mature. The dry…… read more
The President and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association says more agricultural loans have been made recently. Rose Oswald-Poels tells Brownfield the number of agricultural loans grew more than any other sector, including commercial and home loans. “Farm loans grew about eight and a half percent year over year looking again at June 30th numbers,…… read more
State ag department officials have certified the Wisconsin Cranberry Board election. John Moss of Wisconsin Rapids replaces Fawn Gottschalk, who did not seek re-election. Amy Gebhardt of Warrens was re-elected to a new three-year term. The seven-member board oversees the checkoff’s research, education, and promotion activities. …… read more
The new school year means FFA chapters can expand membership to 5th and 6th graders, but an education official says that expansion won’t automatically happen everywhere. Sally Ladsten with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction tells Brownfield many schools have a robust ag education program, but they might not be ready to expand to the…… read more
Some of Wisconsin’s Farm and Industry Short Course students would qualify for student financial aid under a new proposal being considered by state lawmakers. State Senator Joan Ballweg tells Brownfield she introduced legislation to modernize student financial aid programs, including the Wisconsin Grant program to help more students. “If you are less than a half-time…… read more
A Wisconsin State Senator has proposed legislation that would make it easier for the state’s retailers to offer E15 motor fuel. Republican Joan Ballweg is the Chairperson for the Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee. She says, “This is just coming out right now. It’s something that has been in the works for the last couple…… read more
Wisconsin’s Legislature is considering a bill that would change the rules for exhibiting in fairs and add money to the premium prize fund. State Senator Joan Ballweg authored Senate Bill 311, which would allow state funds to cover up to 20 thousand dollars of the cost of each local fair’s prizes, double what it is…… read more
Photo: West Salem, Wisconsin alfalfa research station Corteva Agriscience has sold its alfalfa breeding program to Danish-based DLF. In a statement released Wednesday, DLF announced the acquisition which includes Corteva’s global alfalfa germplasm and breeding program, the Alforex Seeds® brand the Hi-Gest® alfalfa technology. DLF also gets Corteva’s West Salem, Wisconsin alfalfa research station in the…… read more
Hotter and drier conditions last week in Wisconsin reduced crop conditions as silage harvest begins. The USDA says corn is now rated at 54 percent good to excellent with 86 percent in the dough stage and 41 percent dented. Soybeans are 95 percent setting pods, 18 percent coloring, with 55 percent of the crop in…… read more
A central Wisconsin farmer appreciates the ability to irrigate crops this summer. Ken Feltz and his family operate 700 acres and milk 700 cows to supply their on-farm dairy store. He says it’s been a very dry summer. “Without irrigation, the crops would be pretty, pretty bad.” Feltz has a half alfalfa – half corn…… read more
