Crops and Soils in the News!
See current media coverage from local news stations:
Farm Field Conditions May Improve, By Katie Kozak, CREATED Mar. 4, 2013, NBC 26 News, http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/195195551.html
Northeast Wisconsin farmers have a reason to be optimistic about this year’s growing season. 2012′s unseasonably warm spring and very dry summer made last season a disappointment for a lot of area farmers, but experts say our above-average snowfall this winter is helping replenish the ground’s moisture supply. Outgamie County’s UW Extension Agriculture Agent Kevin Jarek says, “I think that here in East Central Wisconsin, I think at least for the time being things look good. I think as we move towards the growing season, there’s a lot that can change.” Normal temperatures and periodic rain and snow for the next month should mean farmers could have a much more successful growing season this year.
Snowfall Good for Local Farmers, Monday, February 8, 2013, Heather Sawaski - http://wearegreenbay.com/1fulltext-news?nxd_id=178332
FREEDOM, Wis. (WFRV) – Parts of northeast Wisconsin have already seen nearly three times as much snow as this time last year. It’s a good sign for farmers, as long as it stays put. Don Gehring checked on his crop of winter wheat Friday afternoon. The Town of Freedom farmer has about 25 acres of the crop. He said he doesn’t mind digging out after a big storm. ”When you see the snow banks around,” Gehring said. “you know there’s going to be moisture out there this spring.” Gehring, who also farms corn and soybeans, said last year’s drought conditions made for a slightly smaller crop. But he’s got high hopes for this season. ”When we come into spring for the thawing and freezing conditions that we get, the snow will sure help us,” he explained. As long as the snow sticks around. According to Ag experts, northeast Wisconsin is technically out of its drought. However, that could change if temperatures warm too quickly. ”We want precipitation to fall, but we want it to stay in the form of snow, to stay on the surface, to insulate the ground below and stay there until we get to the end of March here when that stuff should normally be going away,” Kevin Jarek, an Ag Agent with Outagamie County UW-Extension said. Jarek said some of the freezing rain and melting conditions we’ve seen so far this winter need to stop so the snow pack can continue to grow. ”The reality is, if Mother Nature would just make up her mind and say okay, winter is January, February and March,” he explained. “Then we could just figure out how things would go from there. We’d all be happy.” ”We just hope that the snow will stick around until late March,” added Gehring. Jarek said the best weather for a plentiful growing season is more snow and temperatures near or below freezing until spring.
Lack of Rain Causing Corn Crop Carnage – Updated: Tuesday, 03 Jul 2012, 8:49 AM CDT
Published : Monday, 02 Jul 2012, 12:53 PM CDT – http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/fox_cities/lack-of-rain-causing-corn-crop-damage-july-2-2012
The last time Outagamie County hosted, what was then called Farm Progress Days was 1981. Now 31 years later the county is preparing to host the states largest outdoor agricultural show, Fram Tech days 2012. The show which will run July 17-19th will take hundreds of volunteers to be a success. County show Chairperson, Kevin Jarek gave our Mike Austin some insights on what needs to happen during these final 9 weeks leading up to the big show.
May 15, 2012 – Ag Crop Report Update – http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=129322
Both markets anaylyst and USDA officials say the May Production and Supply and Demand figures are only meant to be indicators for this years crop, and that the weather in July and August will really determine the size of the crop. Still that said many market analysts are wondering how the USDA expects to see record corn production and justifies a 51 million bushel increase in the ending stocks figure.
September 18, 2011 - 2011 Corn Silage Yields and Twin Row Corn Plots – http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=91627
The corn silage harvest is in full swing and many growers are keeping a close eye on this year’s yields. Especially at a test plot on the site of Farm Technology Days 2012.
September 19, 2011 - Farm Technology Days Commemorative Toys – http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=91837
The executive committee for farm technology days has selected their collectable toy for the 2012 show. Their choice is unique to the county, as well as to the long standing tradition of having a collectable farm toy as a show fund raiser.
