Water quality chair: Report is a start, expect more funding for water going forward

Water quality chair: Report is a start, expect more funding for water going forward

  • Updated

Just over a year ago, Representatives Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, and Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, had just reviewed the initial results from the Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geological Study. While they were quick to acknowledge the results were just a first step in better understanding groundwater and contaminants, they were concerned enough to call on Speaker Robin Vos to create a Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality to gather information and make recommendations to improve water quality throughout the state. ... Read more

WFU members take issues to state Capitol

WFU members take issues to state Capitol

MADISON — Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden stood at the podium in the banquet area of Bethel Lutheran Church, looking out into the membership that had gathered for the organization’s recent Farm and Rural Lobby Day. There were lots of new faces in the crowd, prompting Von Ru…

Senate passes US-Canada-Mexico trade deal, a Trump priority

Senate passes US-Canada-Mexico trade deal, a Trump priority

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate overwhelmingly approved a new North American trade agreement Thursday that rewrites the rules of trade with Canada and Mexico and gives President Donald Trump a major policy win before senators turn their full attention to his impeachment trial.

Trump says he'll sign first-step China trade deal on Jan. 15

Trump says he'll sign first-step China trade deal on Jan. 15

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The first phase of a U.S.-China trade agreement will be inked at the White House in mid-January, President Donald Trump announced Dec. 31, adding that he will visit Beijing at a later date to open another round of talks aimed at resolving other sticking points in…

Senate Democrats assail $16B bailout for farmers

MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump’s $16 billion bailout package for farmers hurt by the trade war with China unfairly benefits the South at the expense of the North and wealthy producers over smaller farms, Democratic senators concluded in a report released Nov. 12.

Despite pressure, Senate rejects confirmation of Pfaff

Despite pressure, Senate rejects confirmation of Pfaff

MADISON — Despite pressure from ag industry groups and Democratic efforts, the Republican-controlled State Senate voted Nov. 5 to reject the confirmation of Brad Pfaff as Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection secretary.

DATCP puts the brakes on livestock siting vote

DATCP puts the brakes on livestock siting vote

MADISON — Just two weeks after the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Board met via teleconference to preview changes made to ATCP51, which outlines the state’s livestock siting regulations, the agency has decided it will no longer move forward with proposed c…

Food labeling legislation draws support and opposition

Food labeling legislation draws support and opposition

MADISON — Legislators on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue and Financial Institutions met Oct. 24 for a public hearing on three bills that aim to create food labeling laws to support Wisconsin’s agriculture economy and alleviate consumer confusion in a world of ever-emerging plant…

Revised rule to hit DATCP board's desk in November

MADISON — Public hearings have concluded, and the opportunity to comment on changes to ATCP 51, Wisconsin’s livestock siting rule, has closed. Now the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection board await the delivery of a revised rule, slated to be presented to the board at t…

Perdue: Trump will act to soften ethanol-waiver impact

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said Aug. 28 that President Donald Trump plans to soften the blow to farmers after his administration allowed some small oil refineries to avoid ethanol requirements.

Gov. Evers talks importance of maintaining water quality

Gov. Evers talks importance of maintaining water quality

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A dozen kids showed up, hoping to swim, at Kamp Kenwood on the east shore of Lake Wissota on Aug. 15. However, the children were told that the blue-green algae along the shore meant the beach was closed.

Dairy hub proposal moves forward

Dairy hub proposal moves forward

MADISON — A proposed bill to create a UW Dairy Innovation Hub will move forward in the 2019-21 Wisconsin budget process after Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee approved it on a 12-4 party-line vote last Tuesday, June 11.

Green New Deal discussion puts focus on ag

The agriculture, forestry and other land use sector of the economy accounts for almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

State ag leaders push for end to trade wars

State ag leaders push for end to trade wars

BANGOR — Trade uncertainty and tariffs are taking a toll on nearly all aspects of the agriculture industry, so during the two-week congressional recess in April, the advocacy group Farmers for Free Trade embarked on a 14-day, 3,500-mile tour through farm districts discussing the importance o…

DBA focuses on budget issues at first Dairy Day at Capitol

DBA focuses on budget issues at first Dairy Day at Capitol

MADISON — Farmers have done everything asked of them, from embracing technology to implementing good practices on the farm, and now it’s time for the state to reciprocate that, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers told members of the Dairy Business Association April 10 at the Wisconsin Capitol.

Rhoda-Reis joins DATCP

Rhoda-Reis joins DATCP

Mark Rhoda-Reis has been hired as the director of the International Agribusiness Center, a bureau of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Division of Agricultural Development.

Kind, Sensenbrenner introduce bill to manage, prevent spread of CWD

U.S. Reps. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, and Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, of Wisconsin introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to manage and prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Water quality, health care among issues discussed at WFU lobby day

Water quality, health care among issues discussed at WFU lobby day

MADISON — For the past several years, Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden could count on receiving one phone call a month from a farmer in distress. But he’s found he’s getting those calls a lot more often now. Call are coming in each week instead of each month. Most recently, …

Tauchen honored with Legislator award

The Wisconsin Pork Association presented Representative Gary Tauchen with their 2018 Distinguished Legislator Award on Feb. 1 during their annual convention.

Ag Day at the Capitol set for March 20

Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Ag Day at the Capitol will be held March 20 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. This event is the largest gathering of farmers from across the state representing a variety of farm groups to learn more about issues impacting Wisconsin agriculture and meet with their stat…

Pfaff stresses communication, collaboration, connection

Pfaff stresses communication, collaboration, connection

MADISON — Brad Pfaff’s family has been farming in northern La Crosse County since the mid-1800s, when they first came to this country. As a youth, he watched the farm provide for his family, both financially and through the ways it was able to shape him into the person he is today; it also g…

Pfaff makes ag department appointments

Secretary-designee Brad Pfaff has named Randy Romanski deputy secretary and Angela James assistant deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, it was announced last week. In addition, Pfaff has also appointed six members of his management team,…

Large produce farms to be inspected this year

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…

Kind criticizes USDA for use of bailout funds

Kind criticizes USDA for use of bailout funds

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind on Jan. 14 criticized U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for using taxpayer dollars to buy $5 million in pork products from a Brazilian-owned company.

Market Facilitation Program deadline extended

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has extended the deadline for agricultural producers to apply for payments under the Market Facilitation Program as provided by the trade mitigation program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Peterson to head House ag committee

Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson of the state's Seventh Congressional District has been elected Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Harsdorf reflects on 2018 as transition begins

Harsdorf reflects on 2018 as transition begins

MADISON — Sheila Harsdorf, Wisconsin secretary of agriculture, wasn’t wearing her barn boots when she spoke to dairy farmers gathered for the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s Dairy Food and Policy Summit last week, but she may be returning to those boots soon as governor-elect Ton…

Dane County restores Extension position

When Dane County Executive Joe Parisi signed the 2019 Dane County Budget earlier this month, the $630.1 million proposal not only offered property tax relief for Dane County residents, but also provided new resources for agriculture and rural Dane County.

Trade agreement with China would be 'really big deal' for U.S. dairy

Economist Dan Basse already is hopeful that 2019 will be a better year for the dairy industry, with the potential for a Class III milk price over $17 per hundredweight by late-summer and perhaps $18 by the fourth quarter. But a Trump administration trade deal with China would make the outloo…

Republican farm manager seeks second term in rural district

Republican farm manager seeks second term in rural district

This fall has been a busy one for Rob Stafsholt of New Richmond. He has had to find time to campaign for re-election as assemblyman for District 29, which includes a large chunk of St. Croix County and a portion of Dunn County in rural northwest Wisconsin, and finish combining at his family’…

Two farmers and a rural doctor face off for Assembly seat

Two farmers and a rural doctor face off for Assembly seat

Since 2006, Republican Gary Tauchen of Bonduel has served as Assemblyman for the 6th Assembly District, covering the majority of Shawano County and parts of Waupaca, Outagamie and Brown counties in northeastern Wisconsin. Tauchen is the oldest of 10 siblings in his family, and farmed with hi…