A soybean researcher is urging farmers to take another look at the fine print on the seed tags before planting. Shawn Conley with the Wisconsin Soybean Program says last year’s dry harvest conditions might have impacted the germ test. “Most of the time, when you harvest soybean seed at 14-15 percent moisture, handle it gently,…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Wisconsin planting advances where conditions allow
Wisconsin farmers had about three days on average to continue planting last week. USDA’s latest weekly crop report says another rainy week hampered efforts, with corn planting at 4 percent and soybeans 6 percent planted. Oats are 26 percent planted, and potatoes are at 41 percent as of Sunday. About a quarter of anticipated spring…… read more
Conservation agronomy curriculum coming to Wisconsin
Wisconsin officials are bringing an conservation-focused agronomy education tool across the Mississippi River. Jeffrey Voltz with Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources tells Brownfield his agency is working with Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation and the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to develop a curriculum to teach conservation agronomy. “It’s definitely for those that…… read more
Wisconsin weather monitoring network expands, gets new website
Wisconsin’s online weather and soil monitoring network has received some upgrades. Christopher Kucharik is with the Wisconsin Energy Institute, a part of the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He tells Brownfield the Wisconet environmental mesonet just launched a new website improving free and easy access to their network of monitoring stations. He says each station…… read more
Wisconsin farmer’s conservation practices are working well
A Wisconsin farmer is continuing his father’s no-till farming lessons on his operation. Roger Bindl farms in Wisconsin’s hilly driftless region near the Village of Plain in Sauk County. A creek runs through his farm, and he does what he can to keep the soil from getting washed away. BindlePractices1 :05 “…alternative forages.” Bindl says…… read more
Beck’s manager in Upper Midwest sees large increase in corn acres
A regional manager for Beck’s Hybrids says farmers in the Upper Midwest are shifting more acres to corn. Heather Morris is based in North Dakota and covers the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. “Sales never stop, and (earlier this month) actually a grower had decided to shift even more of his bean acres into corn. So…… read more
NFL Draft includes food fundraiser to feed kids
The National Football League draft starts Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin and the Taste of the Draft is one of the pre-draft events that helps feed children. GENYOUth is a nonprofit organization that works to equip schools and help provide students with better access to nutrition and physical activity. CEO Ann Marie Krautheim tells Brownfield…… read more
Wisconsin’s certified seed potato bill clears state Senate, grazing bill on hold
The Chairman of the Wisconsin State Senate Agriculture Committee says legislation that would give the state’s certified seed potato law additional enforcement tools passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday and advanced to the Assembly. Patrick Testin tells Brownfield Senate Bill 164 would increase fines from $150 dollars to $5,000, plus an additional $5,000 for each acre…… read more
Farm bankruptcies on the rise
The director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison says farm bankruptcies are on the rise. During a recent Soils for Success webinar, Paul Mitchell says 2024 marked the first increase in defaults since 2019. “The first upswing in a long time.” He says, “We’re up 55% from ‘23. We’re still low…… read more
Cool, wet fields are slowing most Wisconsin farmers
Most Wisconsin farmers are waiting for better field conditions. In the week ending Sunday, there were just under four days suitable for fieldwork statewide. USDA officials say field activities were limited to spreading fertilizer and manure, some tillage, and a small amount of planting. Corn planting is 1% complete with most of that in the…… read more