We are now approaching the stage where the planting pace on corn becomes more of a market topic. History shows that if the U.S. corn crop is 70 percent planted by the third week of May, very few if any acres shift to alternative crops. At the same time, if the U.S. corn crop is more than 70 percent planted, it is not uncommon to see more corn plantings. The debate will now shift to what impact the planting date will have on final yield, as some analysts believe later-planted crops tend to have lower yields. ... Read more
There is an old market adage that “low prices cure low prices.” While it is premature to say that low prices have cured our depressed markets, there are signs that they are in fact doing their job. Farmers in South America are already starting to make plans for next year’s acres, and low fut…
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Industrial hemp will be grown in Chippewa Falls this year as part of a statewide project with the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Division of Extension.
If not entirely gone, snow and frost are disappearing quickly, and farmers are eager to get into the fields.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has found a new route for the invasive weed Palmer amaranth to enter and spread through Minnesota: grain and seed screenings used as feed.
We are starting to see a division take place in the U.S. cash grain market. Exporters are not pushing for deliveries right now as global demand for our offerings has been less than stellar in recent weeks. Basis values, the difference between commodity futures and cash bids, have weakened as…
ARGYLE — No-till farmer and soil health leader Barry Fisher visited southwest Wisconsin recently, speaking to farmers about the principles of soil health and how better understanding the soil’s natural functions can help them implement key management strategies to build soil health on their …
The Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project is urging interested producers to submit their initial applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program before the May 10 deadline to ensure that they are considered for enrollment in 2019.
Now a few weeks into spring, farmers are starting to take stock of their alfalfa stands and, in some cases, they’re concerned their stands didn’t survive a winter that saw low snow cover and a polar vortex early followed by heavy snow late.
As ginseng growers in Wisconsin prepare to export fresh ginseng roots to Taiwan, they need to be able to show that the roots will not carry a harmful nematode that could infect Taiwan’s banana crop.
ARCADIA — When Loran Steinlage first turned to cover crops on his northeast Iowa farm, he decided to interseed cover crops between his row crops.
Wisconsin tart cherry and ginseng growers may now nominate candidates for two board member positions on the Wisconsin Cherry Board and two board member positions on the Wisconsin Ginseng Board.
High interest among hemp growers suggests that Wisconsin is ready to supply the developing market, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection officials on March 13 told agricultural marketing representatives in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The new farm bill includes a provision to allow industrial hemp production in the U.S. While the crop may be an option for farmers looking to diversify their system, there’s a lot of information to gather and consider before major decisions are made.
Interest in industrial hemp in Wisconsin continues to grow as the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently released application numbers for 2019. Nearly 2,100 individuals and businesses applied to grow or process hemp in Wisconsin’s second year of its industrial hemp…
Wisconsin potato growers have until April 1 to nominate three members to the industry’s market order board. Districts 1, 2 and District-at-large are eligible to nominate board members or be nominated.
A Land Stewardship Project workshop on how conventional and organic farmers can use the roller-crimper to build soil health and suppress weeds will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rushford, Minn.
The most important pass a farmer will make through a field is at planting time, so it makes sense to focus their investment there, says Larry Kuster, senior marketing specialist for seeding and tillage at AGCO.
JUNEAU — In 1982, after becoming tired of closing ditches in fields before going through with a combine, Steve Groff decided to experiment with no-till. Over the next few years, he began dabbling with cover crops and in 1995 started collecting research from them in hopes to answer the age-ol…
University of Minnesota Extension and the Southern Minnesota Wine Grower Alliance will host a Vineyard and Winery Management Workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery in Kasota, Minn.
Although delayed harvest caused by frequent rain led to fewer overall entries in the 2018 Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest, a winner was still crowned at the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in late January.
It may seem hard to believe, but the first day of spring is just around the corner. With that in mind, the grain markets are eagerly anticipating 2019 planting intentions and watching weather forecasts for South America.
MADISON — While UW-Madison professor Jed Colquhoun recognizes and appreciates Wisconsin’s focus on America’s Dairyland, he also thinks there is another agricultural area in the state’s portfolio that’s worth noting.
WISCONSIN DELLS — From 2010 to 2014, white mold and sudden death syndrome made the top 10 list of the most destructive diseases in soybeans across the U.S. In Wisconsin, the two diseases ranked even higher — second and third, respectively, behind soybean cyst nematode.
WISCONSIN DELLS — When UW-Madison Extension cropping systems weed scientist Rodrigo Werle asked a room full of farmers if they were concerned or dealing with waterhemp and/or giant ragweed in their corn and soybean fields, nearly every farmer raised their hand. And Werle wasn’t at all surprised.
The 2019 Alltech Global Feed Survey released in late January estimates that international feed tonnage has increased by 3 percent to 1.103 billion metric tons of feed produced in 2018, exceeding 1 billion metric tons for the third consecutive year.
MENOMONIE — While market analysts are starting 2019 behind the eight ball due to the unavailability of key agricultural reports during the federal government shutdown, Brenda Boetel, commodity marketing specialist at UW-River Falls, offers some insight into the coming year’s crop and livesto…
Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will begin inspecting produce farms for compliance with federal food safety regulations this year. The inspections are part of the FDA Food Safet…
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has a long history of conducting surveys for pests; in fact, DATCP has been annually observing crop pest activity through its Pest Survey Program since 1915.
MADISON — UW-Madison crop experts Joe Lauer and Shawn Conley just wrapped up their 2019 Wisconsin Agronomy Update meetings, traveling the state to present information on hybrid and variety performance, share analysis of last year’s growing season and provide updated recommendations for field…
FarmlandFinder, a digital toolset for land sale research, has expanded to 12 states throughout the Midwest and launched a suite of tools to help land professionals with farmland acquisition, valuation and analysis.
GRANTON — Paul Vine said he was anticipating the coming of Christmas for a different reason than most. Vine, who runs Vine’s Christmas Trees with his family, said the hectic tree season comes to an end Dec. 25, but the work continues on a tree farm.
Farmers need to continue keeping a close eye on the prevalence of mycotoxins, Alltech representatives Dr. Max Hawkins and Pat Crowley said recently during a December corn silage update.
WISCONSIN DELLS — Farmers that have adopted techniques to plant into growing cover crops, interseed into corn or soybeans and combine living covers and manure are often looked to as innovators, but three farmers on a panel at the UW Discovery Farms Conference in mid-December likely don’t see…
Recent weeks full of rumors, confirmation and headlines have given everyone a lot to talk about but surprisingly, left the markets somewhat directionless.
Wisconsin farmers seeking answers to their marketing, production and business management questions can find them, and much more, at the upcoming 2019 Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo Jan. 31 through Feb. 1 at the Kahlahari Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells.
WISCONSIN DELLS — Just more than a year ago, on Nov. 30, 2017, Wisconsin Act 100 was signed into law, allowing for the first time in decades farmers in the state to grow industrial hemp under a pilot program. Legislators then turned to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consu…
PRAIRIE DU SAC — Although Michelle Marks’ doctoral research focused on Wisconsin’s hop industry and its top disease, hop downy mildew, she also had advice for tomato growers in the crowd at the Wisconsin Fresh Market Vegetable Growers Association Fall School on Nov. 28, where she gave a dise…
MIDDLETON — When the Monsanto Company donated its Middleton research and development facility to UW-Madison in 2017, the now Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center became the largest public plant transformation facility in the world. If an identical facility were built today on the UW campus, it w…
WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Walker Cranberry, a seventh-generation cranberry bog, was established in 1946 by Harold and Doris Walker.
As the 2018 growing season comes to an end, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is contacting producers nationwide to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds they store on their farms.
Industrial hemp licensing applications and registrations are available for the Wisconsin 2019 growing season. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
Wisconsin Custom Operators Inc. is accepting applications for its Employee of the Year Award. The award honors an employee of a custom farming operation who demonstrates excellence in the areas of safety, efficiency, customer service, environmental stewardship, profitability and, new this ye…
A U.S. Department of Agriculture supply-and-demand update, weather, trade talks and outside market volatility have been the most talked about developments across the board recently.
A new North American Free Trade Agreement, heavy rainfall wreaking havoc across much of the Corn Belt, solid exports for two out of three majors and ethanol margin struggles have been the topics most heavily discussed by traders.
Chippewa County UW-Extension will host the annual Pest Management Update meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Eagles Club, located off Business Highway 53 south, across from Farm and Fleet, in Lake Hallie. UW-Extension specialists in weed science, plant pathology and entomolog…
MOSINEE — They may taste good in July, but you can pick your very own fresh raspberries all the way through the first frost at Lakeview Berry Farm.
Quarterly stocks numbers, harvest progress and trade developments have dominated much of the market conversation.
It appears most of the bearishness that came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s updated supply-and-demand numbers has moved to the sidelines. Potential changes to Chinese trade policy across the board, ideas of soybean arbitrage on a global scale and talk of inflationary pressure were…
KELLNER — As their name suggests, The Pumpkin Shed in central Wisconsin has specialized in all things pumpkin since 2004. But the farm’s history traces much further back than that.
The Wisconsin Corn Growers Association is accepting entries for the annual Wisconsin Corn Yield Contest. Organized to encourage the development of new and innovative management practices, the contest highlights the importance of using sound agronomic practices in Wisconsin corn production systems.