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DNR seeks public comment on updated wolf management plan

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The Department of Natural Resources will be taking public comments on the future of the state’s wolf management plan next month.

DNR Large Carnivore Specialist Randy Johnson says that while wolves are currently under federal protection, a plan should be in place.

“As long as they are federally protected, the state has no authority to implement a wolf season one way or the other. However, again, if history is our teacher here, that status is likely to change at some point in the future.”

Johnson says it’s important to have everyone’s views before moving forward. “Wolves are controversial. A lot of folks have strong opinions. And so it’s important that folks have every opportunity to share their thoughts with us.”

You’ll have until the end of February to add your comments, and that live hearing will be on February 7th. You can find out more online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolfmanagementplan

High wholesale prices to blame for rise in egg prices, says WGA president

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High egg prices across the county are due to high wholesale prices from producers.

Large egg companies have more than doubled the wholesale price of eggs over the last year.  Wisconsin Grocers Association president Brandon Scholz says those prices aren’t something a local grocer can easily absorb. 

“Grocers margins, especially in something that’s perishable, like dairy, eggs, produce meat, those sorts of things, you know, you got to sell it. And if you don’t, you can’t get your money back.”

Scholz says you should shop around to see if you can’t find better deals on locally produced eggs. “You’re gonna find some that are maybe private label that is priced lower than what you might find from a national brand, or maybe an organic product.”

Agriculture advocacy group Farm Action is calling for an FTC investigation into possible price fixing after reports that the company behind Eggland’s Best and Land o Lakes saw a 600 percent increase in profits on egg sales last year.

Van Orden named to House Agriculture Committee

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Wisconsin has a member on the House Agriculture Committee. Twelve House Republicans were added to the committee on Monday, including newly elected Wisconsin congressman Derrick Van Orden, who had indicated a strong interest in serving on the committee.

The new members will join 15 returning Republicans, led by Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania. Democrats haven’t named their committee roster yet.

Marklein urges rural residents to check accuracy of FCC broadband maps

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A state lawmaker is urging rural residents to challenge inaccurate broadband information on federal coverage maps. Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) says people need to verify the accuracy of Federal Communications Commission maps showing rural broadband availability and speeds.

They have until January 13 to go into the maps and take a look at them and see if the service that the FCC has for your location is what they have on their maps.

Wisconsin is scheduled to get more than 1.1 billion in federal broadband dollars. Marklein says the federal dollars will be spent in areas based on need as indicated by the FCC maps, and he’s concerned some rural areas will be left out because of errors.

John Deere to allow farmers to repair own equipment under agreement with AFBF

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A deal between John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Federation could make it easier for farmers to repair their farm equipment made by the company.

As it stands, John Deere equipment will lock itself down if anyone outside of company technicians tries to repair it. UW Madison ag professor Brian Luck says that’s rough for some farmers who might not have time to wait.

“If I have a machine that’s broken, I can put you know somebody to fix it while I do other things. But I fix it on the farm it gets fixed, and then I can continue my work.”

In the past, some farmers have even turned to computer-cracking programs from Ukraine to do their own repairs. Luck says it’s a balancing act between the company wanting to ensure their equipment is repaired correctly, and farmers who can’t wait for a technician.

“The argument farmers are making is that you know, I’m not able to fix my machine when I need to, I have to send it to a dealership, and there’s an added cost for the labor that I’m having to pay to repair my machine.”

Previously, any time a John Deere equipment had a fault or detected a problem, it could lock itself up until it could be taken to a dealership, or until a company technician could come to the farm to clear the issue. Company officials say they will offer quote fair and reasonable terms to access those tools, but prices have not been laid out at this time.

Ag & forestry workers report high happiness and low stress

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Workers in two of Wisconsin’s signature industries report high levels of happiness and low levels of stress. Agriculture, logging and forestry have the highest levels of self-reported happiness — and lowest levels of self-reported stress — of any major industry category, according to a Washington Post analysis of thousands of time journals from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey. A deeper dive revealed that where that work takes place – namely the great outdoors – had a lot to do with higher happiness and lower stress. Logging and farming are also among the most hazardous employment sectors, and those workers also report the highest levels of pain on the job
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Prep your deer hunting spot this summer ahead of fall hunt, says DNR

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We’re several months out from the gun deer season, but now’s a good time to get out into your favorite hunting spot to prepare it for the falls.

Department of Natural Resources deer specialist Jeff Pritzl says that while preparing private land for a hunt is important, it’s also important to take some time if you hunt on public land. 

“But for those public land hunters, they too, want to go in early, and get familiar with the property again, in any changes.”

Pritzl says you should be checking your sight lanes and keeping them clear, and checking for ash trees that might need to be removed because of the emerald ash borer beetle.

If you’re using an ash tree to put a deer stand in or alongside, that’s something you may want to adjust and or be familiar with. Because as those trees die, they become they can become hazards.”

Hunters should also be on the lookout for invasive species of plants and try not to spread them. “Be conscious of not incidentally moving that by cleaning your especially your shoes and the treads of boots before going into an area that, you know hasn’t been infected yet.”

Pritzl says getting work done now will ensure that deer aren’t being startled out of their usual patterns in the fall due to human activity. You can find a handy guide to spotting invasive species online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives

 

UW Extension has tips on preserving those early veggies from your garden

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The first harvest of summer veggies is starting to reach your local farmers’ market, and if you’re looking to keep those veggies fresh, the UW Extension has some tips. 

Food safety specialist Barbara Ingham says everyone seems to end up with zucchinis. “Zucchini freezes really really well. So great it and freeze it to use later for zucchini bread or bury it in a chocolate cake as I’ve been known to do.” Before freezing, you should give those zucchinis a quick blanch in steam or boiling water.

Ingham says you have to consider how you’re going to preserve if you buy in bulk and if you’ve got more vegetables than you were expecting, you could donate them.

“They really crave fresh produce. And so if you have someone who you know, or you want to know who will really enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor, it likely will be individuals who are most in need. And those are people visiting food pantries.”

If you’re looking for good ways to preserve those veggies outside of donations, the Extension has a number of safe canning recipes online at http://extension.wisc.edu 

For Earth Day ‘No Mow May’ is taking root in Wisconsin

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The No Mow May movement continues to take root in Wisconsin communities. Ashland residents are being encouraged not to mow their yards in May to help feed early-arriving bugs and birds. City council members voted this week to suspend enforcement of mowing ordinances until June 3.

Allowing grass to grow in spring creates habitat and forage such as dandelion and clover blooms for early-season pollinators. Two years ago, Appleton became the first city in the U.S. to adopt No Mow May. Other cities that have embraced the voluntary program include Wausau, La Crosse, Fort Atkinson and Stevens Point.

“We have a strong conservation ethic here in Stevens Point,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “We have constructed pollinator gardens around the community and have worked to allow honey bees to be kept in the city. “No Mow May” is just one more way people who choose to help can do so.”

Insects play a critical role in local ecosystems, pollination and food production, but a new study warns that extreme land use combined with warming temperatures are pushing insect ecosystems toward collapse in some parts of the world.

DATCP confirms two additional cases of bird flu

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Two more cases of bird flu have been confirmed in Wisconsin. They’re the third and fourth confirmed outbreaks in the state. On Friday, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza at a non-commercial farm with about 200 turkeys and ducks south of Milwaukee.

Those birds have already been depopulated, according to DATCP.

On Saturday, the agency identified HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County. Those birds will also be depopulated.

Last week, DATCP issued on order suspending poultry shows and exhibits through the end of May, in an effort so slow spread if the disease.

Owners are asked to continue using strong biosecurity practices and, when