In the midst of increasingly heated discussions about trade, some Wisconsin farmers and others are questioning the U.S. approach. “Our current approach to trade is not serving farmers well,” says Darin Von Ruden, president of Wisconsin Farmers Union. “With over 20 percent of U.S. agricultural output headed for international markets, farmers have become vulnerable to factors over which they have no control, such as exchange rates or trade wars with other countries.”

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee approved its 2018 Farm Bill proposal, so far a less contentious version than the House proposal defeated on the House floor in May. For the most part, dairy provisions of the Senate version of the 2018 Farm Bill are similar to those contained in the House version, but there are differences. Those include the premium structure and the flexibility (or lack of flexibility) to make changes in annual coverage selections under a revised and renamed Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy).

Digest Highlights: U.S. ag secretary grants another extension for MPP-Dairy enrollment, and he’s headed to Canada to discuss ag issues Mexico’s tariffs could have bigger impact this time Dairy replacement exports feel the heat Wisconsin producers eligible for USDA loans to cover snowstorm losses

The USDA’s June World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report reduced 2018 and 2019 milk production projections and brightened the outlook for prices somewhat. Nonetheless, average prices for both years are expected to be below averages received by dairy farmers in 2017.

With the approval of the California Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) confirmed, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is targeting an October 2018 implementation date. Meanwhile, opposition to a proposal to convert Appalachian and Southeast FMMOs to multiple component pricing (MCP) systems has surfaced.

My idea of a risk is far different from my cowboy's. I take tiny, calculated risks. My idea of a risk involves trying a new recipe or taking an alternate route on a trip. My hubby's idea of risk includes life-altering circumstances. It's not a risk to him unless someone might die.

Ever since its first release in 1942, the purpose of Canada’s Food Guide has been to guide food selection and promote nutritional health.

“They don’t need that eye to eat,” is a common misconception when it comes to the impacts of pinkeye in the cattle industry. Research shows calves that are diagnosed with pinkeye will weigh between 20 to 40 pounds less at weaning than healthy calves, and a blind calf will weigh about 60 pounds less at weaning. This loss of weaning weight, in addition to the cost of treatment and labor, adds up to an estimated cost to the cattle industry of $150 million annually.

I just finished a spring season of Little League Baseball as assistant coach of my son’s team. Our coach often repeated his goal for us as coaches and players: have a great attitude and give an exceptional effort. We had a young team and were inexperienced; the season was a development year for most of our players.