High-Voltage Horizon For Wisconsin – Tim Fiocchi
You’re hearing the conversations everywhere. We need more electricity! Industrial growth, data center expansion, renewable energy – all of it stretching existing utility lines to its limits. Now, a prime example is unfolding in the Midwest, involving Wisconsin. Discussion is underway for proposed $1.2 billion transmission projects that would erect towers up to 200 feet high to create a massive 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission corridor. The projects getting the most attention in the state are the Maribel and BECI transmission lines.
Pam Jahnke wanted to better understand what’s being proposed, and what citizens, farmers and landowners should know about the projects. Tim Fiocchi is the Senior Director of Governmental Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. He acknowledges that discussions are in the early stages, and anything that will move forward must receive approval from the states Public Service Commission(PSC). Despite that, communities have been drawing large crowds at “information sessions” that have already been held.
Understanding the Scale of Mega-Transmission
Operating well above the state’s current high-capacity 345-kV lines, a 765-kV line represents the largest class of high-voltage transmission in North America. “A 765 is actually going to carry about six times as much power,” notes Fiocchi. “So it’ll be an enormous line… it will be a substantial mark on Wisconsin’s landscape.”
While regional grid operators argue that bulk power lines are necessary to connect western energy sources to eastern metro centers like Chicago, local residents are questioning who really benefits. Fiocchi says Wisconsin’s baseline electricity demand has remained flat. That makes landowners suspicious that local property is used for benefit beyond the states borders. As Fiocchi explains, “I think it’s really that data center conversation that has people on edge and really not feeling very trustful of any of this right now.”
Disruption to Agricultural Operations and Rural Homes
For agricultural operators, these 200 foot structures present really serious daily challenges. Fiocchi says he’s fielding questions about stray voltage, disruption of GPS-guided equipment and agricultural drones. Not to mention the massive tower bases creating physical obstacles for machinery during planting and harvest. “Our farmers’ farms aren’t just their businesses, they’re their homes,” Fiocchi points out. “And so the character of the land that you live on is going to be impacted by this if it comes through.”
He does include that projects of this magnitude usually face multi-year regulatory reviews. The PSC is likely the first step in Wisconsin before any construction or easement acquisitions begin. However, if approved, developers can eventually utilize eminent domain authority to secure routes. Because final routes haven’t been decided – those public meetings and forums will probably be influential in the outcome. Fiocchi urges impacted property owners to get involved immediately: “We’re also strongly encouraging people, particularly impacted landowners, to give that feedback to those companies because this may be your first and best opportunity to influence where this goes.”
More information on these site. It also allows you to share your opinion directly with the companies.
Wisconsin Public Service Commission – state regulator on such projects.
Maribel – potentially impacting Vernon and Crawford counties.
Beci – potentially impacting Richland, Sauk, Columbia, Dane and Jefferson counties.
Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza Returns To Wisconsin
A new case of avian influenza has been reported in Wisconsin.
The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says the virus was found at a commercial poultry flock impacting just over 79-thousand birds near Rice Lake in Barron County.
State officials say there is one other commercial poultry facility within three kilometers of the infected farm, but so far, no detections there.
There have been four other cases of the virus in Wisconsin during 2026, affecting 4.3 million birds at three large commercial flocks and one backyard flock.
DATCP says the HPAI virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. Since that time, the HPAI virus has also affected other species, including mammalian species.
Wisconsin’s last case of the HPAI virus in dairy cattle was in December of last year. Wisconsin began testing under the National Milk Testing Strategy program in May 2025 and achieved unaffected Gold Status in September 2025 and again in March 2026. In early May 2026, Wisconsin transitioned to a reduced testing frequency. There is a very low risk of finding the virus in the summer, but with fall just around the corner, the state increased the number of milk tests in August.
Babcock’s New Flavor Honors Alumni
A landmark gift of a new humanities building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus has inspired a sweet new addition to the Babcock Dairy lineup.
To honor the extraordinary generosity of UW alumni Marv and Jeff Levy, Babcock Dairy will unveil a limited-edition ice cream flavor created by the brothers: Levylicious Salted Turtle. The flavor features a salted caramel ice cream swirled with a rich chocolate fudge ribbon and roasted, salted pecans.
The flavor will debut during the grand opening celebration of Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall on September 17 and will be available at Babcock Dairy Store and participating retail locations.
“At Babcock Dairy, we love creating new flavors, but this one is especially meaningful. Marv and Jeff Levy have done so much for UW–Madison,” said Casey Whyte, Babcock Dairy Plant manager. “It was a pleasure to work with them on a flavor that celebrates their family’s legacy, generosity, and connection to the university.”
Marv and Jeff played a hands-on role in developing Levylicious Salted Turtle, helping select the ingredients, refine the flavor profile, and choose the name during a tasting session at Babcock Dairy. The honor places them among a select group of UW-Madison supporters recognized with a custom Babcock flavor.
The brothers operate Phillips Distributing Corp., a family business founded nearly a century ago. Guided by the values of their parents, Irving and Dorothy Levy, they have built a legacy of philanthropy and community leadership. Their support of UW–Madison has advanced student opportunity, health care, research, and academic excellence while creating new pathways for learning, discovery, and achievement.
In addition to making the lead gift for the new humanities building that now bears their parents’ names, the Levys provided a historic $75 million gift to launch construction of the Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center, which will honor the memory of their late brother, Phil. Together, these landmark projects reflect the Levy family’s deep commitment to UW-Madison and stand among the most significant philanthropic investments in the university’s history.
“Our hope is that by honoring our family legacy of charitable giving, we can offer future generations some of what the UW has provided us,” said Marv Levy.
Jeff Levy added, “Wisconsin provided our family with many opportunities — an education, a foundation, and a future. Levy Hall is our way of giving back and helping students create opportunities of their own.”
West Nile Virus Detected In Wisconsin Horse
State agriculture officials confirmed Wisconsin’s first case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a horse this year. An unvaccinated six-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Brown County tested positive.
WNV can infect people, but the virus does not pass directly between humans and horses. Mosquito bites are the only route of transmission. Mosquitoes catch the virus from birds, which serve as natural reservoirs for WNV. The threat is highest when mosquitoes are most active. This active period runs from mid-to-late summer until the first killing frost.
West Nile Virus can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis). Symptoms in horses include fever, coordination loss, hind-end weakness, depression, and poor appetite. The virus can also cause muscle tremors, teeth grinding, swallowing issues, head pressing, and excessive sweating. Severe cases cause the horse to collapse with an inability to rise. The disease affects both horses and people. It is fatal in 30-40% of horses showing signs of illness.
Ag officials strongly urge horse owners to consult their veterinarians. Owners should vaccinate their animals for both West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Officials also recommend reducing mosquito exposure by removing items that collect stagnant water. Maintain your rain gutters, flip wading pools and wheelbarrows upside down, and chlorinate pools and hot tubs. Replace bird bath water frequently. Finally, keep animals in the barn from dusk until dawn during peak mosquito activity.
A Third of Wisconsin’s Silage Harvest Is Done
Silage harvest
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Silage choppers continue to roll across Wisconsin when weather permits. The USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says 32% of the corn for silage is in the bunk. Sixty-one percent of the state’s corn is in good to excellent condition, with 97% now in the dough stage and 26% mature.
Twenty-seven percent of Wisconsin’s soybeans are now dropping leaves, which is ahead of normal. The crop condition is down one point, with 59% of the crop rated good to excellent.
Seventeen percent of the state’s winter wheat has been planted.
Pasture conditions improved with widely scattered rain last week, with 43% of pasture ground now in good to excellent shape.
Topsoil moisture improved slightly, with 1% of cropland having surplus moisture, 58% having adequate moisture, and 41% either short or very short of moisture. Rains mostly missed the eastern side of the state in a triangle from Green Bay to Madison to Milwaukee. Parts of Barron and Polk Counties received as much as 2.5 inches of rain.
CHS Ready To Start Construction On Evansville, Wisconsin Soybean Plant
Artist rendering of the proposed CHS Evansville, Wisconsin soybean processing plant Image: CHS
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CHS announced Monday it will break ground within weeks on Wisconsin’s first soybean processing facility. The $700 million project in Evansville follows more than three years of planning and land acquisition.
The plant will process 80 million bushels of U.S.-grown soybeans annually. That equals about 80% of the state’s yearly crop. The facility will create about 80 jobs. Once operational, it will produce 1 billion pounds of oil and 2 million tons of meal each year. CHS chose Evansville for its proximity to soybean farms, rail service, and major highways. The company says these connections will help move products to domestic and global markets.
Farmers React
Wisconsin Soybean Association President Doug Rebout told the Mid-West Farm Report the project will help transform local agriculture. “This is huge for Wisconsin farmers because Wisconsin has been an island without a crushing facility in our state, and we’re surrounded by states with them, so this is huge for us to have a place for our beans and bring in beans from the Midwest and it’s not only going to find a place for our soybeans, but it’s going to be producing the byproducts that we can use back in our Wisconsin agriculture like in our dairy and poultry, so this is huge in so many ways.”
Cooperative Plans For Future
John Griffith, Executive Vice President of Agriculture Business and CHS Hedging, highlighted the strategic value of the plant in a statement: “Investments like this help CHS create additional value for our owners and customers by expanding market access, strengthening our processing network and creating new demand opportunities for U.S.-grown soybeans. Strong demand across food, feed and renewable fuel markets, coupled with policies that encourage domestic processing, manufacturing and energy production, reinforce the need for additional soybean processing capacity in the United States. This facility positions CHS to support farmers and customers for years to come.”
Benefits For Farmers
The new plant will also reduce transportation costs for farmers. “The diesel prices, hauling prices are huge, and some farmers are going to start hauling more there, but I still see a lot of farmers selling to their local elevators, but having this this close is just going to help the basis for those local elevators, so whether you’re selling directly to CHS or to your local elevator, those prices are going to go up because of this processing facility,” Rebout says.
American Soybean Association President Scott Metzger, an Ohio farmer, echoed this sentiment:
“This investment is great news for soybean farmers in Wisconsin and across the country. Expanding domestic processing capacity creates new opportunities for our crop and strengthens demand for both soybean meal and soybean oil. Investments like this help build a stronger market for U.S. soy while supporting farmers, livestock producers and rural communities.”
State leaders also support the project. “Wisconsin’s agriculture and food processing sectors are an essential part of our state’s past and present, and they will continue to be critical for our future,” said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. “That’s why I am proud to support and have a partner in CHS as they work to expand soybean processing right here in Wisconsin. Whether it’s creating permanent jobs for families or ensuring our farmers and producers have the tools and support they need to get their products to market across the globe, today’s announcement of a new facility is a win-win for our farmers and our state.”
Crews have already finished much of the site work. Rebout lives 12 miles away and has watched the progress over the last few years. “When CHS bought the land three or four years ago, whatever it was, it had a couple of buildings on that land and over the years, they have taken those buildings down,” Rebout says. “The railroad track coming to the facility has been upgraded, too, so that way, they can have better rail service coming in and out of the plant.”
CHS plans to finish construction by fall 2028.
Waupaca Farmers to Host Candidate Townhall on Rural Issues
Farmers and residents in the Waupaca area will have a chance to hear directly from local candidates about issues affecting agriculture and rural Wisconsin. The Wood-Portage-Waupaca Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union will host a non-partisan candidate townhall Tuesday, September 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Waupaca Area Public Library.
Candidates for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, 19th Senate District, 57th Assembly District, and Waupaca County Sheriff have been invited.
Agriculture and rural issues take center stage
The forum will focus on issues including farmland protection, public health and safety, and federal farm assistance programs. Candidates will have an opportunity to explain their agricultural and rural policy platforms.
Questions will come from the Farmers Union as well as attendees who submit questions ahead of the event.
The event is being held as a 501(c)(3) educational forum, with all invited candidates participating in a non-partisan discussion focused on issues important to farmers, rural residents, and the community.
Doors open at 5:15 p.m., with the townhall beginning at 5:30 p.m. Candidates may also be available for informal conversations with attendees following the event.
Townhall details:
When: Tuesday, September 22, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Waupaca Area Public Library, 107 S. Main St., Waupaca
Find additional information here.
Demonstration To Show How Teams Respond To Manure Spills
While manure spills are relatively rare, a recent spill in the Lake Geneva area earlier this year highlights the critical need for proper emergency response. To help farmers and local stakeholders understand exactly what happens—and what should happen—when a spill is detected, the University of Wisconsin Extension is hosting two free, on-farm demonstrations.
“These sessions are designed to show the right and wrong ways to respond when an incident occurs,” says Maria Nelson of the Walworth County Extension office. “Our goal is to showcase the tools and techniques responders use to clean up spills and protect our land and water from contamination.”
Attendees will gain firsthand experience in mitigating environmental risks. The demonstrations will cover how to block a culvert and protect a tile inlet, observe the impact of tillage on manure flow, and evaluate high- and low-volume water flushing techniques.
The free demonstrations will be held at the following locations:
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Tuesday, September 23 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm: Cottonwood Dairy (near South Wayne, WI)
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Wednesday, October 1 from 10:00 to 11:30 am: Dutch Made Holsteins (near Lake Geneva, WI)
Farmers, agricultural professionals, and community members are encouraged to attend. For more information contact the Walworth County Extension office at 262-741-4963 or by email at [email protected].
Participate In Watershed Week!
The Kinnickinnic River is pictured in River Falls. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Sustainability Office is inviting the community to participate in Watershed Week Sept. 21-25, with a variety of events on and off campus. UWRF photo.
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Watershed Week is a chance to celebrate the local watershed with presentations, volunteer activities, demonstrations and field experiences that explore water quality, habitat restoration, native plants and other watershed topics. Events are scheduled on and off the UWRF campus and are free and open to the public.
Watershed Week 2026 events include:
- Bee and tree campus efforts presentation, Monday, Sept. 21, 10-11 a.m. University Center, St. Croix River Room, 501 Wild Rose Ave. Learn what UWRF’s Bee Campus USA and Tree Campus Higher Education designations mean, explore current efforts and discover ways to get involved.
- Water monitoring and habitat assessment volunteer opportunity, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m., bridge near the Melvin Wall Amphitheatre on the UWRF campus. Join in for a hands-on service activity along the river and its surrounding grounds.
- Watershed discussion and tours, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2-4 p.m., bridge near the Melvin Wall Amphitheatre. Explore interactive watershed models and chat with watershed experts. Tours offered just after 2 and 3 p.m.
- “Sustainable landscapes: Back Yard to Back Forty” presentation, Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., River Falls Public Library, 140 Union St. or virtually on the library’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Learn about simple ways to support birds, butterflies and healthy waterways wherever you live, work, learn or gather.
- Birding walk, Friday, Sept. 25, 8:30 a.m., bridge near the Melvin Wall Amphitheatre. Explore the sights and sounds of campus on a guided birding walk.
Corn Conditions Vary Widely, Even On Same Farm
Extreme summer weather swings will result in wildly unpredictable Wisconsin corn yields this fall.
Agronomist Ronald Lubeck with Marshfield-based General Farm Supply travels across the central and northwestern parts of the state. He tells the Mid-West Farm Report it has been a brutal year for crops. Lubeck sees a stark contrast between fields based entirely on soil type and rainfall.
“South of Stevens Point, we go down that way quite a bit,” Lubeck says. “Where it’s irrigated, they’ll probably have one of the best crops they’ve ever had, but then you get into the lighter soils, sandier soils, there, it’s going to be pretty tough.”
Drought severely stunted plant growth in some regions. “Yields are going to go way down. Plants are really short,” Lubeck says. “When I get off of Highway 53 on the western side of the state, I just feel bad for those guys. That ground is just burned up.”
Poor Harvests Already Have Some Farmers Eyeing Crop Insurance Claims
“The guys that did get some timely rain where we’re used to getting 160 bushels (per acre) of corn, it will be more like 80 bushels of corn,” Lubeck says. “We’ve had some that already had the crop adjusters come and take a look at it. They’re already at five bushels. There’s no corn out there at all, so it’s kind of sad. You look at the investment they have in that crop and to be in that position, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Rainfall timing made all the difference. Lubeck points to a dry stretch south of Wausau where crops suffered heavily. Meanwhile, nearby Junction City received timely showers to keep the corn going. Dryland fields near Wild Rose and Hancock look rough. Conversely, Amherst fields look “awesome” and expect great yields after catching just a couple of key rains.
“It’s really spotty this year and all over the board,” he says.
Don’t Give Up Too Early On Corn
Corn dried down quickly late in the season. However, recent rains reversed the process. The plants resumed filling kernels. Lubeck now advises some farmers to delay chopping.
“It’s amazing what that corn plant can do because all of the sudden, it went into a holding pattern and when we got a little more rain, those kernels started filling out again,” Lubeck says. He cautions against chopping silage early. “You hate to take it too early unless you absolutely have to because if you give it the opportunity, it will produce corn yet. As long as it has moisture, corn will keep trying to fill kernels.”
The dry summer pushed different maturity groups into a tight timeframe. This compressed window will put immense pressure on harvesting crews.
“We were getting kind of excited because we’re going to have ten farmers that want to chop corn silage on the same weekend,” Lubeck says. “We know that’s going to happen in certain areas.”
Even different seed varieties on the same farm are maturing simultaneously.
“If you look at the kernel from like a 108-day to a 104-day to a 95-day, they’re still scattered,” Lubeck says. “The 108-day still has some milk in it yet. It’s not all dented. The 104-day is just about all dented, whereas the 95-day is just starting black layer, and that’s all on the same farm, so the 95-day is for snapledge and then the 104-105-day is for corn silage.”
