Wisconsin has its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza for 2025. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says a commercial poultry farm in Sheboygan County has been affected by the virus. Forty-thousand egg laying chickens with the H5N1 virus will be depopulated at the farm to prevent the spread of the disease.…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Some farm expansions happening despite down economy
An agricultural banker says some farm operations are borrowing for expansions despite the down farm economy and higher interest rates. Roger Sinkula with Nicolet National Bank tells Brownfield much of that expansion is in the dairy sector. “I see a couple of farmers that are expanding their heifer operation or are putting up some buildings…… read more
Wisconsin lawmakers introduce SAF tax credit legislation
Sustainable aviation fuel production could take off in Wisconsin if newly proposed legislation becomes law. Jason Mugnaini with Wisconsin Farm Bureau tells Brownfield the bill supported by the state’s agriculture coalition would incentivize fuel production in the Badger State. “Wisconsin is the only Midwestern state without a significant biofuels support program at the state level…… read more
DMC signups down some in Wisconsin
A Wisconsin Farm Service Agency official says there were a few less producers signing up for the Dairy Margin Coverage program in his state this year. Deputy Executive Director Tyler Radke says, “We had a fair amount of sign-ups. Maybe not quite as much as in the past but several thousand producers.” Radke tells Brownfield…… read more
FSA official optimistic despite tariffs, cuts
A state Farm Service Agency official is optimistic the new tariffs and the federal job and program cuts won’t negatively impact the agency and the farmers they serve. Tyler Radke is Wisconsin Farm Service Agency’s Deputy Executive Director. He tells Brownfield the first Trump administration also used tariffs, and FSA helped farmers get assistance. “Last…… read more
Tornado puts successful twist on farm business model
The winds of change have helped a Wisconsin farm family build a strong business model… literally. Edward Smith, his son, and young grandson operate Prairie Dairy Inc. The farm has been in the family more than 120 years, but the F5 tornadoes that struck Oakfield, Wisconsin in 1996 destroyed their dairy. The following year, Smith…… read more
Weather slowing down deliveries
Spring weather is preventing many producers from taking delivery of spring inputs. Paul Kwiatkowski with Jaymar in central Wisconsin tells Brownfield most fertilizer and seed orders are in. “Everything is ready to go if we can get the weather to cooperate.” Kwiatkowski says the recent snow and rain has kept the seed and fertilizer trucks parked.…… read more
Robotic dairy finds success without serving pellets
Some dairies have been able to successfully get cows to their robotic milkers without pelletized treats. Jay Heeg with Heeg Brothers Dairy near Colby Wisconsin tells Brownfield, “We don’t see any need for the pellets. The cows are doing really good. They go and get milked. Their wait times are really low.” Heeg says when…… read more
WPS Farm Show is growing
Wisconsin’s largest farm show is growing even larger. Matt Cullen with the WPS Farm Show tells Brownfield this year’s show needed more display space. “We’re adding a second outdoor exhibitor tent to be able to provide even more solutions and products for our guests to be able to see. That exhibitor tent will be right…… read more
2025 shipping going well so far
A cooperative leader says so far, the flow of agricultural products is going smoothly this spring. Joshua Grunnet with Alcivia Cooperative tells Brownfield they’ve been able to move fertilizer all winter. “We’ll take inbound rail and we’ll take as much as we can off the Illinois River.” Grunnet says when marketing grain, having access to…… read more