Articles

Summary of Proposals in Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) Hearings

Understanding the proposals is critical for informed participation in the hearing process, effective advocacy, and the strategic planning of various stakeholders in the U.S. dairy industry. Testimony is in progress by subject area, in the following order proposal wise classified on the basis of

A History of Dairy in the Farm Bill and What it Means for the Current Legislation

The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues. In addition to developing and enacting farm legislation, Congress is involved in overseeing its implementation.

September 2023 Dairy Market Update

Dairy markets are facing downward price pressures from increased milk production, slower demand, and competition in export markets.

▶ Listen: Field Notes Ep. 11: Farming + Solar = Agrivoltaics

There is a lot of solar being sited in Wisconsin with some projects reaching a pretty massive scale. The traditional narrative has been hello solar, goodbye agriculture, however a new crop of farmers, researchers, and solar companies are thinking differently: how can we continue to farm this land between, under, and around solar panels?

Observe Financial Planning Month by reviewing farm & personal finances

Financial Planning Month is observed during October. For farmers, this time of year may be focused on harvesting the crops that were planted earlier this spring or summer. But in this day and age of farming, crops can be harvested all year long with many different types of crops, season extensions like high tunnels, and indoor spaces such as greenhouses.

▶ Listen: The Cutting Edge Podcast Ep.45: Agrivoltaics Part I, InSPIRE Project

Agrivoltaics is the use of land for both agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation. Kick off this 3-part series by learning about the InSPIRE project, which explores the environmental compatibility and mutual benefits of solar development with agriculture and native landscapes.

Building a brand

In this video, Andy Larson, farm financial consultant with the Food Finance Institute and also the Wisconsin Small Business Development Centers, talks about financing options for a rural food or farm business. We’re going to spend most of our time talking about traditional banks and traditional lending, but also bring up a number of options that are more non-traditional, if you don’t want to use a bank or you can’t.

▶ Listen: The Cutting Edge Podcast Ep. 46: Agrivoltaics Part II, UW Kegonsa Solar Project

The Kegonsa Research Campus solar project is a collaboration between UW-Madison and Alliant Energy to develop a small-scale solar and agrivoltaics project for research and education purposes on the university-owned Kegonsa Research Campus in Stoughton, WI.

Cash Farmland Lease – Narrated in Hmong

In this instructional video, Gaonou Thao, an Extension Specialist specializing in Hmong Farmer Outreach, delivers comprehensive guidance on completing a land lease application. This video is specifically tailored to cater to the needs of farmers who may not be proficient in English.

▶ Watch: Negotiating Agriculture Leases

What makes for a fair, robust and resilient ag or farm lease agreement? This video is part of a series that will include an example dialog between land/farm owner and renter as they negotiate the specific details of a lease agreement, highlighting important resources, tools and considerations to inform a resilient and robust agreement that serves both parties as well as discussing specific leasing topics

▶ Listen: The Cutting Edge Podcast Ep. 47: Agrivoltaics Part III, Agronomic Research

Dive into the agronomic research studying different types of cropping and grazing systems that may be compatible with solar arrays, and get the latest information on grazing cattle underneath solar panels.

Navigating Federal Milk Marketing Orders: Administrative Actions, U.S. Code, and Ex Parte Communication

Federal Milk Marketing Orders play a vital role in shaping the dairy industry, and the mechanisms through which these orders are amended and refined are governed by a complex framework of administrative actions. This article delves into the intricacies of Administrative Action Governing Federal Order Hearings, a process rooted in 5 U.S.C. 556 and 5 U.S.C. 557, and Ex Parte Communication.

It’s okay to talk about farm suicide risk

Farming is an occupation that stirs passions in the hearts of those connected to agriculture. It is also important to admit that the risk of suicide among farmers is real. In fact, the rate is over three times higher among all who live in rural areas as compared to those who live in urban places.

Resources to help landowners explore solar leases on agricultural land

Development of solar arrays across Wisconsin for electric generation is expanding as interest grows in solar as a renewable energy resource. Solar developers prefer level sites free of trees, buildings, and other obstructions to the sun, and land located near roads and needed power transmission facilities, including three-phase transmission hubs and power substations.

▶ Watch: Financial Statement and Analysis Spreadsheet Walkthrough

This video series will introduce you to the Financial Statement and Analysis Spreadsheet. In these videos, Kevin Bernhardt, Extension Farm Management Specialist with UW-Madison Division of Extension and Professor at UW-Platteville, provides information on completing the spreadsheet. The Extension Farm Financial Statement and Analysis Tools consists of Excel worksheets that: The Spreadsheet Tools are more […]

The emergence and use of ‘HMoob’ and its demonstration of self-representation

In a world where language and identity intertwine, the choice of terminology holds significant weight. The HMoob people, a community with a rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, are at the heart of an evolving conversation around self-identification. While the terms “Hmong” and “Hmoob” are familiar, a newer label, “HMoob,” has surfaced, sparking discussions about […]