Wet year brings challenges to Wisconsin farms

A Wisconsin farmer says weather wise, 2023 and 2024 are complete opposites. Lodi area farmer Ryan Ripp tells Brownfield, “Last year, we couldn’t buy a rain. This year, we can’t sell it.” Ryan Ripp raises crops near Lodi and tells Brownfield it’s been tough getting into fields. “Since last Thursday, we’ve had over five inches of…… Continue Reading

Broiler hatchery numbers down on week, up on year

The USDA continues to signal a bigger supply of chicken in 2024. 246.072 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, a drop of 1.031 million from the previous week, but 2% above a year ago, with average hatchability at 78.9%. 187.976 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production by growers, down 2.018…… Continue Reading

Survey finds Nebraska farmland values are moderating

An ag economist says farmland values in Nebraska are moderating. “We estimate the market value at about $3,835 an acre, about 5% over the prior year,” Jim Jansen with the University of Nebraska Extension says. This is the third consecutive year the university’s annual farmland survey has shown increases, but Jansen says it’s a far…… Continue Reading

Ethanol production up as stocks, exports fall

U.S. ethanol production was near historical highs last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.106 million barrels a day, the highest weekly average this year and tied for the third highest on record. That’s up 52,000 barrels per day on the week and 36,000 on the year, propelled by strong margins and…… Continue Reading

Dairy farmers riding profitability wave

A dairy economist says expansion is very unlikely for farmers given the current financial conditions. “They are paying down debt, interest rates are higher as well.” Highground’s Betty Berning tells Brownfield margins for dairy farmers are much better than they were at the start of the year. “My latest estimates have margins pegged at $10.91…… Continue Reading

Cover crops absorbing excess rain

A longtime user of cover crops says the infiltration benefits have helped prevent excess moisture stress in recent weeks. John Burke farms within a mile of Michigan’s Saginaw Bay. “Our soils are very flat where I’m at, they’re all lakebed soils,” he explains. “Erosion is a big problem and so is run off into our…… Continue Reading

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