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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.

 

More Wisconsin farmers feeling the squeeze from tariffs

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Wisconsin farmers are feeling the squeeze as the trade war intensifies.

Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan says specific tariffs on frozen potato products are going to make it to Wisconsin farmers.

“Wisconsin does not export a lot of potatoes, but when our friends out west, like Idaho, Washington, Oregon, when they can’t export then their potatoes have to stay on the domestic market which hurts everybody in the US.”

Houlihan says he’d much rather be able to not have to deal with retaliatory tariffs. “Our goal is to expand potato trade. It’s a priority over these mitigation efforts.”

Those mitigation efforts include a plan to distribute $12 billion to American farmers.

Houlihan says he’d much rather see better trade deals and reductions in tariffs rather than aid packages. He says a loss of trade now might never be restored.

Wisconsin senators react to proposed farmer bailout package

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The Trump Administration is planning to deliver a massive payout to American farmers hurt by a trade war.

That’s in line with a letter Senator Tammy Baldwin sent to the Ag Department earlier on Tuesday that called for farmer assistance.

“On top of every other challenge that our agricultural economy faces, especially dairy, the retaliatory tariffs are causing major harm.”

Under the proposal, the Trump Administration would deliver $12 billion in aid to farmers across the country. Baldwin’s letter to the USDA calls for long term fixes, and to instead focus on Chinese money manipulation and Canadian dairy tariffs.

Republican Senator Ron Johnson says farmers “want trade, not aid” while other critics say the administration is putting farmers on “welfare.”

Senator Johnson also suggested in front of reporters from Politico and The Hill that the Trump Administration is steering the country’s free market economy toward a “Soviet-style” system where “commissars” decide how to sprinkle out benefits.