The USDA says U.S. hay stocks are above a year ago. The national May 1st total of 24.091 million tons was 3.081 million tons larger than last year, with 2024 production rising 3% from 2023, largely thanks to yield. The supply numbers are dependent on a few factors, including production, livestock inventory, pasture conditions, feed…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
USDA projects larger winter wheat crop
2025 U.S. winter wheat production is expected to be up 2% from 2024. The USDA currently has the crop at 1.382 billion bushels, with a year-to-year improvement in yield to 53.7 bushels per acre expected to cancel out a slight decline in harvested area to 25.718 million acres. That total includes a 2% gain for…… read more
Dairy sees improvements using high oleic soybeans
A Wisconsin dairy farmer was so impressed by an experiment with high-oleic soybeans that he’s planting his own this year. Evan Schrauth runs Cloven View Holsteins in Fond du Lac county, where he’s planting Pioneer’s Plenish soybeans along with his corn because of the difference the high oleic soybean meal has made. “The actual seed is…… read more
Planting about finished for SE Wisconsin dairyman
A Wisconsin dairy farmer can see the finish line for the 2025 planting season. Evan Schrauth grows corn and soybeans in Fond du lac County, much of it to feed his 75 dairy cows. He says, “So far, so good. We’ve got all of our beans in and we’ll be finishing up with corn here…… read more
Farmer-legislator urges farmers to speak up on important legislation
A Wisconsin farmer who serves in the State Legislature says his fellow farmers would be wise to pay attention to bills being considered at the Capitol. Republican Travis Tranel operates a dairy and crop farm near Cuba City. He is also an author of Assembly Bill 31, which along with companion Senate Bill 8 would…… read more
Compeer Financial supporting fairs across multiple states
County fairs across three states are receiving a boost thanks to Compeer Financial. Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving, says the company’s County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program has awarded $242,000 to 61 county fairs in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. “Upgrading hog pens, a lot of electrical updates, a lot of updates to wash racks,…… read more
Many ag programs, policies to be stripped from new Wisconsin budget
A lobbyist for agriculture says Wisconsin’s next state budget from the Legislature will remove policy items from the Governor’s proposed budget, potentially putting some ag programs on hold. Shawn Pfaff with Pfaff Public Affairs tells Brownfield Republicans will likely require separate bills to authorize and fund programs even if they already exist. “The Finance Committee…… read more
Optimism about Ag Road funds as Wisconsin legislature begins work on budget details
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance gets down to details on the next biennial budget Thursday. Farmer and Assembly Ag Committee Chair Travis Tranel tells Brownfield the state spends about 100-billion dollars over the two year period, but Governor Tony Evers has proposed spending 120 billion. “I think most people realize a twenty-percent increase…… read more
Wisconsin’s ag lemon law hearing uneventful
A public hearing was held Tuesday for the latest bill before Wisconsin state lawmakers that would create a lemon law for agricultural equipment. Senate Bill 8 would create a lemon law covering expensive agricultural equipment similar to the lemon law already in place for cars and trucks. The Senate Transportation and Local Government Committee held…… read more
Planter parked, sprayer going
A southwestern Wisconsin farmer is battling weeds now that the planter is back in the shed. Mike Berget tells Brownfield he wrapped up planting more than 11-thousand acres of corn and soybeans, but now, it’s time to go after the yield-robbing weeds. “I’m seeing the foxtails coming, you know, just like the corn, whenever the…… read more