2025 Wisconsin State Fair by the numbers

Wisconsin’s State Fair wrapped up early due to bad weather last weekend, but still had a very successful run. By the numbers, nearly 893 thousand people visited the fair, with 10,676 competitive exhibits and 2,100 agricultural exhibitors.  The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised 381,350 for youth scholarships, and the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction…Continue Reading

Dairy PRIDE Act reintroduced

A Wisconsin Senator has re-introduced legislation that would limit dairy terms to real dairy products.  Senator Tammy Baldwin recently re-introduced the Dairy PRIDE Act with minor changes from last session. She tells Brownfield, “There’s some modest changes that have been requested by the Farm Bureau and by the milk producers relative to some guidance that…Continue Reading

Visit to Indonesia shows trade promise

The vice chair of the Illinois Soybean Association says he’s seen firsthand the potential for American soybean products in Indonesia. Brady Holst, who farms in western Illinois, says a recently announced trade framework with the country is promising. “Two weeks ago, I was in Indonesia, and they had just signed a trade agreement with the…Continue Reading

Tax, legal hurdles complicate selling the farm

An agricultural law attorney says selling the farm without proper planning can have huge tax implications. Will McKinley with Menn Law Firm tells Brownfield when there’s no family member or employee to take over, aging farmers often seek buyers, but he says that can be costly to the farmer. “There’s definitely tax issues if we’re…Continue Reading

Several factors influencing farm machinery market

A global equipment manufacturer says there are several factors impacting the current farm machinery market.    Eric Raby, senior vice president for the Americas with CLAAS says they’re seeing a lesser impact from tariffs and more from a sluggish farm economy. “Because of the market being a little bit depressed than what it has been.…Continue Reading

Johnson: farmers will wait for fair trade

A U.S. Congressman from South Dakota says ag trade should be fair.  Dusty Johnson tells Brownfield the Trump administration is trying to level the playing field by addressing non-tariff trade barriers. “Mexico doesn’t treat U.S. corn fairly and Canada doesn’t treat U.S. dairy fairly. Across the entire globe we have those problems.” Johnson says China…Continue Reading

New policy brief highlights ways to reverse ag trade deficit

A former trade ambassador says the United States should be working to reverse its nearly $50 billion ag trade deficit. Kip Tom, an Indiana farmer, says a lack of new trade deals and new trade barriers has contributed to its increase. “The EU continues to try and export their own food and ag policies around the world.…Continue Reading

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