A former educator and dairy farmer has found his niche in fiber and ag tourism. Kevin Stoer started raising alpacas about thirty years ago on a former dairy farm near Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He says the alpaca fleece is cut once a year, usually in May, and that fiber is very useful for creating warm…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Transition planning can be complicated
An agricultural law expert says farm transition planning can be difficult and complicated. Will McKinley with the Menn Law Firm tells Brownfield farm transition can be especially challenging for dairy farms, and he says farm families need good legal counsel, tax counsel, and financial counsel to avoid costly mistakes. McKinley says depending on how the…… read more
Governor’s Blue Ribbon Auction rewards Wisconsin fair exhibitors
Youth exhibitors at the Wisconsin State Fair benefited from their hard work at Wednesday’s Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction. The annual event, hosted by the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation and Wisconsin State Fair raised $381,350. The livestock that brought in the highest bids were the Grand Champion Crossbred Steer exhibited by Josie Lorentz…… read more
Dealer says tariffs are affecting machinery sales
A dealer says tariffs have definitely impacted the tractor and outdoor power equipment market. Darrell Stetzer with Central Wisconsin Powersports tells Brownfield tariffs on foreign parts and machinery have shaken up equipment sales. “That has changed the market completely for the last couple of months for us.” Stetzer says the increased tariffs have driven consumers…… read more
Farm family emphasises safety education
A Wisconsin family knows first-hand how important farm safety is. Wisconsin’s FFA typically works to educate people about the dangers on the farm like grain entrapments, power takeoff shafts, and rollover risks, but State Vice President Sam Mell from Waunakee is passionate about farm safety for another reason. “Having a sister who was in a…… read more
State Fair livestock shows requires careful coordination
Many show animals are found at the Wisconsin State Fair during its eleven-day run, and a team works to keep every show flowing smoothly. Aerica Bjurstrom is co-superintendent of the livestock shows at the coliseum. She tells Brownfield there are many experienced people that help keep cattle, horses, pigs, and other animals moving in and…… read more
Wisconsin’s Farm Technology Days begins
Wisconsin’s Farm Technology Days begins today, giving farmers a chance to see equipment and practices that might help their operations. Janet Keller is the new General Manager for Farm Technology Days. She tells Brownfield, “We’ll have a lot of the tried and true things that people would expect when they come to the premier outside…… read more
Dairy farm does well without alfalfa
Many dairy farmers are working on third-crop alfalfa, but not Brody Stapel and is family. Stapel tells Brownfield they don’t grow alfalfa for their 260 dairy cows, and instead grow Yieldmax, a mixture of grasses and legumes. “We’ve been feeding that for a couple of years. We really like how it feeds out. We really…… read more
Wisconsin wheat, hay, potato harvests continue
Most Wisconsin crops are doing well and are on schedule. The second cutting of alfalfa hay is 95% finished, and the third crop is 52% finished. Third crop is two days ahead of average. The hay condition is down three points from last week, with 82% now rated good to excellent. USDA’s National Ag Statistics…… read more
Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary in 50th year of consumer potato education
An agriculture group celebrating 50 years of educating Wisconsin consumers and children about potatoes. Jody Baginski is with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary, a group of women who organized in 1975 when then-Governor Patrick Lucey claimed he lost twenty pounds by eliminating potatoes from his diet. That negetive message prompted the new group to find…… read more