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UW researchers get major grant to create dairy drinks of the future

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Wisconsin’s dairy farmers and state government want to create the dairy drink of the future.

Governor Tony Evers told a dairy conference in Madison that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will invest $750,000 towards the project.

“To establish the Beverage Innovation Center, a new center for excellence that would be housed in the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin campus.”

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin CEO Chad Vincent says farmers are contributing another $250,000.

“The Center for Dairy Research and the innovation is critical, and it’s one of the best investments that we make.”

The goal of the project is to create a new technology for dairy drinks that don’t require refrigeration, and will allow for a wide scale of different tests and prototypes to find what they’re looking for. Dr. John Lucey with the Center for Dairy Research says this will allow them to purchase equipment for small batches to test many new potential dairy-based beverages.

“Looking for long shelf life, because people want convenience, and they want to be able to have this anywhere.”

That research would be made available to manufacturers and producers once it’s complete.

Bill would support Wisconsin’s hemp industry

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Proposed legislation will help support Wisconsin’s infant hemp industry. State Senator Patrick Testin said the legislation creates truth in labeling laws for hemp products, and incorporates lessons learned over the past year to create a program that better meets the needs of Wisconsin farmers and processors.

“We want to make sure that we’re able to administer our own program because we think we can administer it more effectively at the state level, as opposed to having the feds come in and mandate who it’s going to look and operate,” Testin said.

Is there money to be made? Representative Tony Kurtz is an organic farmer who grew hemp last year, the inaugural year for the state’s hemp program. “I’ll put it this way, I’m not growing it to lose money,” Kurtz said. “I think it will be profitable.”

The growing market for hemp derived products could represent an opportunity for Wisconsin’s hard-pressed dairy farmers to diversify. “Our farmers are going to run with this,” Testin said. “We’re really poisd right now to be the national leader.”
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State Ag department warns against mulching Christmas wreaths this year

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If you bought your Christmas wreath from a big box store this year, state ag officials want you to burn it or throw it away.

A batch of insect infested wreaths made it to a number of retailers this season. State ag spokeswoman Donna Gilson says the bugs are called EHS and they could spread to Wisconsin trees. 

“There’s landscaping trees in yards and parks, but there’s also our forests and our Christmas Tree industry is the big concern.”

Gilson says the bugs nest deep, and like to hide themselves. “If you have a wreath hanging on your wall, you wouldn’t see it. It’s on the underside of the needles where these insects feed.”

Make sure to burn the wreath entirely. If you can’t do that, bag it up and have it hauled away to a landfill. “Put them in a garbage bag, seal it up with a twistie-tie or a knot or whatever, put it in the trash can.

 

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified trees as being infested along with wreaths.

Survey finds Wisconsin bankers have questions about hemp

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Wisconsin bankers appear hesitant over hemp. Hemp and its derivatives have been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, and passage of the Farm Bill into law has intensified discussion and scrutiny of its crop potential.

But a recent Wisconsin Bankers Association survey of 95 Wisconsin bank CEOs and presidents found only 17 percent would be willing to actively seek to provide loans to industrial hemp farmers or processors in the state.


Many Wisconsin bankers say that so far, not enough is known about the crop including cost, price, yield, returns, contracts, and markets.

U.S. has record stockpile of processed cheese

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The U.S. can’t move its cheese. Trade tensions and tariffs from Mexico and China cut international demand for American cheese shortly after many producers in Wisconsin and other dairy states increased their production.

Now the Wall Street Journal reports that there’s a 1.4 billion pound stockpile of U.S. made cheese in cold-storage — the largest stockpile on record.

U.S. consumers don’t but as much processed cheese as they used to. Because cheese doesn’t last indefinitely, the growing stockpile along with falling prices could hurt the bottom line for even more dairy farmers.

Congress passes 2018 Farm Bill, sends it to President Trump for signature

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Congress has passed the 2018 Farm Bill.

Senator Tammy Baldwin voted yes on the bill, saying it will ease the pressure on dairy farms.

“I met with farmers across Wisconsin, and I brought their concerns and ideas to Washington to make sure that the farm bill works for our Wisconsin Farmers.”

She adds that current conditions are rough for farmers and their families. “Right now our farmers are facing a perfect storm of challenges, and these challenges have threatened their businesses and our communities.”

Congressman Ron Kind was one of three House Democrats to vote against the bill. He says the bill gives too much funding to corporate interests.

“It fails to reign in Wasteful subsidies and crop insurance programs that lead to overproduction by big agribusiness. It cuts $800 million from vital conservation programs, and does nothing to address the damage caused by the President’s trade war.”

Senator Ron Johnson also voted against the bill. He says it includes too much funding for food assistance programs. The bill now heads to President Trump for a signature.

Study suggests drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants

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A new report suggests Wisconsin’s undocumented migrants should be allowed to get drivers licenses. The report from Kids Forward claims Wisconsin will be safer for everyone if lawmakers allow that.

“All immigrants deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of their documentation status,” said Tamerine Cornelius, an analyst for the Wisconsin Budget Project. “Allowing them to get drivers licenses would be an important step towards that.”

AUDIO: Tamerine Cornelius :30 

Cornelius noted that there’s an interest here, for the state’s signature industry. “Anybody who’s concerned about the well-being of dairy farms in Wisconsin also needs to be concerned about the well-being of dairy farm workers.”

According to the study, lawmakers in 12 other states have allowed licences for undocumented immigrants.
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Marijuana is on the ballot in Wisconsin

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Marijuana is on the ballot in many Wisconsin communities Tuesday. Voters will join in a national debate for or against legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use.

Advisory referendums are on local ballots in 16 counties and two cities – Waukesha and Racine. All were approved by county boards or city councils.

Marijuana legalization advocates claim these referendums will provide a measure of public opinion that can be shared with the state Legislature. Governor Scott Walker, Attorney General Brad Schimel and Republican legislative leaders all oppose legalization of pot.

Test your livestock feed and silage for flood damage

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Floods across Wisconsin have damaged homes and roads, but they can also damage crops and animal feed.

DATCP Spokeswoman Donna Gilson says the same sorts of dangers that people face when it comes to flood waters will affect your livestock as well.

“Flood waters can have a lot of stuff in them like sewage, bacteria, pathogens, pesticides, all kinds of stuff that could damage crops that are intended for animal feed.”

Gilson says if you think your crops have been damaged in the field or in a silo, talk with your local extension office.

“Have them come out and look at it and just get some good expert advice whether it’s salvageable, and whether it’s worth getting it tested.”

If you are going to lose your crop, make sure you contact your insurance or extension office to find out how best to proceed.

DNR offers assistance to landowners planting native plants

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Wisconsin landowners and homeowners hoping to help improve habitats for bees and other pollinators can do a lot by just planting some native Wisconsin flowers and plants.

There’s some major efforts underway to specifically help out the Monarch butterfly, which summers in the state. DNR Conservation Biologist Jay Watson says there’s plenty of things you can plant to help foster monarch butterflies in your home and garden.

“Milkweed, which we have multiple species growing across the state, and the other thing is nectaring resources that they need for survival as an adult and their migratory route.”

While there are ‘generic’ wildflower mixes on the market, you should be planting rasses and flowers that are native to Wisconsin, so there’s less risk of spreading invasive species.

Watson says you can find out just what sort of plants you need with a little bit of help.

“There’s great resources on the DNR’s website that you can find out more information on what species, and where they grow, and what type of soils and how much shade that they would need.”

There’s a number of greenhouses and seed libraries across Wisconsin that also provide native plants and wildflowers.

You can find out more online at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/endangeredresources/pollinators.html.