A plant pathologist says Wisconsin has its first confirmation of striped rust in wheat for the 2025 growing season. Dr. Damon Smith with the University of Wisconsin told Brownfield there was already some head scab, and farmers should scout for striped rust. “We did have some striped rust epidemics last year in this state so…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Ag lending up in early 2025
New data confirms more farmers are seeking financial help in the down agriculture economy. Rose Oswald Poels is President and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. She says a recent study by the Federal Reserve Banks in Chicago and Minneapolis shows more farmers are struggling with their finances now. “Farm credit conditions have really been…… read more
Early concerns about soybean, corn diseases
A plant disease expert says whether crops emerged weeks ago or this week, farmers should watch for signs of infection. Dr. Damen Smith with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield producers should scout for soybean plants that emerged and then died and wilted. “If you’re starting to see a number of those plants out there…… read more
Scout for signs of wheat diseases
A plant pathologist says farmers need to keep an eye on winter wheat as heads emerge. Dr. Damon Smith with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield the fungus that causes head scab likes moisture and warmer temperatures, which are in the weather forecast. “I think folks should really be out scouting, looking at that anthesis.…… read more
Most of Wisconsin’s crops are planted, haying started.
Most of Wisconsin’s crops are planted. USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says 85% of the corn is planted with 52% of the crop already emerged. That’s three days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the five-year average. Sixty-two percent of the corn is rated good to excellent. Eighty percent of Wisconsin’s soybeans…… read more
Wisconsin farmer says corn looking very good, soybeans okay
A southern Wisconsin farmer says his corn looks good, but the soybeans are struggling a little. Ryan Nell raises crops on 22-hundred acres near Juneau, Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield planting was delayed a few times by wet weather, and the nearby tornado from nearly two weeks ago brought minimal damage and rain. “We got an…… read more
Time running out to apply for Conservation Reserve Program
A Farm Service Agency official says landowners that want to enroll acreage in one of the Conservation Reserve Program options are running out of time. Ian Krause tells Brownfield the continuous signup and general signup enrollments need to be done by June 6th. Krauss says the Conservation Reserve Program is functionally the same except for…… read more
Central Wisconsin grower pleased with first crop alfalfa
Weather has prompted a central Wisconsin dairy farmer to park the planter and harvest first-crop alfalfa. T.J. Draeger raises corn, soybeans, and alfalfa near Marathon City. He tells Brownfield the frequent rains have made his alfalfa look fantastic. “We had good carryover from last year so it gave us the opportunity to actually chase quality…… read more
Poulsen says lab ready for Wisconsin milk testing
A research veterinarian says Wisconsin’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is ready for the state’s H5N1 milk testing. Dr. Keith Poulsen tells Brownfield individual farms will be tested but farmers will not have to do anything extra to have their milk tested. “It’s really not going to change your day-to-day business, or the milk haulers for that…… read more
Ag credit deterioration concerning
A policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says there are concerns over the amount of credit deterioration occurring in the ag sector. David Oppedahl says low commodity prices and high input costs continued to plague agriculture in the first quarter of 2025. “There is an increase in demand for non-real estate loans.” …… read more