Farm Favorites: 5 Stories To Know
The Mid-West Farm Report is dedicated to keeping you up to date on all things Wisconsin agriculture. Everyday, we bring you the latest news and insights from the world of farming, from market trends to new technologies and everything in between. Here’s a look at this week’s top 5 stories that you won’t want to miss!
Don’t miss these stories as they happen—tune in to the Mid-West Farm Report Podcast! Catch every episode on Apple Music or Spotify to stay up to date with the news, insights, and voices shaping agriculture across the Midwest.
Bird flu: Vaccination to the rescue?
The following report was prepared and written by Dean Dickel, retired organic egg farmer. Edited by Mid-West Farm Report.
A major figure in the Midwest organic egg business is calling on the USDA to approve an avian influenza vaccine. Egg prices are skyrocketing, and farmers face a shortage of replacement pullets to restock their barns.
“We’re gonna have to do something,” said Ernie Peterson, owner of Cashton Farm Supply in Cashton, Wisconsin.
Peterson has been part of the organic movement since its early days. He started as a feed supplier for Organic Valley’s egg brand. Later, he became a pullet supplier and now owns a production group and egg processing facility. While consumers have been hit with record prices for all varieties of eggs, the egg farmers Peterson works with are seeing soaring prices and shortages of replacement pullets due to a backlog of orders at hatcheries throughout the Midwest.
Peterson said the hatcheries he and his growers work with are sold out through 2027. “It’s just gotten ridiculous. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Most organic pullet growers buy day-old chicks from two major poultry genetics companies in Iowa: Hy-Line International and Hendrix Poultry. These companies offer genetic lines suited for cage-free and organic systems.
Even before the current Avian Influenza (AI) breakouts, hatcheries required producers to submit their orders at least one and a half years in advance. When AI hits a hatchery’s breeder flock (where male and female chickens are housed together to produce fertile eggs for hatching), the result is fewer day-old chicks being available to pullet producers.
Peterson said producers in the cage-free and organic market have seen chick prices double. Many farmers receive fewer birds than they ordered.
While a nationwide vaccination program would seem to be the quickest and most effective way to bring outbreaks under control, vaccines for bird flu are not currently available. “It’s technically illegal to vaccinate for bird flu in the U.S.,” said UW-Extension poultry specialist Ron Kaen.
Both conventional and organic poultry in the U.S. receive vaccinations for diseases like salmonella. An H5N1 vaccine was developed after a severe outbreak in 2015. The USDA has not approved its use under the Trump or Biden administrations.
The prohibition on the vaccine was initiated by the poultry lobby, specifically producers of broiler chickens. The claim was, and is, due to the fear that use of the vaccine would interfere with poultry exports to a number of Asian countries that won’t allow imports of poultry products from countries where vaccination is allowed.
Those Asian countries import import large amounts of U.S. chicken feet, or “paws.” Without these exports, processors would need to sell them as pet food or dispose of them. In other words, the H5N1 vaccine has become a political football in an international trade dispute. “We won’t take poultry products from other countries that vaccinate either,” Kaen said.
Peterson argues that the domestic egg industry exports little and needs a vaccination program. “We’ve gone past price as an issue. We don’t have supply,” he said.
The last big AI outbreak and spike in egg prices spurred renewed interest in home flocks. Many purchase baby chicks from local farm store, where feed and other supplies are also sold. Many people buy baby chicks from farm stores like Farm and Fleet, which hosts “chick days” each spring.
Early signs suggest bird flu is also affecting chick availability for hobbyists. Small hatcheries report higher prices, especially for female birds. Some popular layer varieties are sold out in advance.
Even if those able to source day-old or ready-to-lay pullets for home use, they are not out of the woods when it comes to the risk of infection from bird flu. Spring migration of waterfowl has been found to be one of the vectors for spread of AI. “It’s part of the equation,” Kaen said.
There is a debate about whether keeping poultry indoors can help prevent infection. Organic certifiers generally waive outdoor access requirements when and where outbreaks occur. But, the virus is known to be carried by dust particles that find their way into poultry buildings through the ventilation system.
“Generally, birds are less exposed when they’re inside, but it’s not a complete solution,” Kaen said.
Now that bird flu can infect humans, good biosecurity and monitoring of flocks are critical. Any illness or sudden death should be reported to the USDA for testing.
“Luckily it looks like it’s affecting the larger producers the most,” Peterson said. It’s unclear whether producers are benefiting from higher prices that would be passed down from the processors that buy their eggs. Most producers are locked into contracts that covers a single production period of 72-84 weeks.
It has been reported that some of nation’s largest egg producers are enjoying record high profits and stock prices due to government indemnity payments for condemned birds and the high prices for the eggs they sell, according to a report by published online by Sentient Media on January 28 of this year.
Hog Price Sees Increase
Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
2025 is still young, but the year-to-date hog harvest is running 7.7% lower than last year. Last week’s estimated harvest of 2.574 million was 97,000 more than the week prior, but 128,000 fewer than the same week last year. Pork production for the week was estimated to be 562.9 million pounds compared to 585.6 million pounds a year ago. The national cash base hog carcass price was $82.15 last week, a gain of 1.7% on the week. Feeder pig prices continue to push higher with 40-pound pigs reaching $107.74/head and early weaners pushing to $81.08. The pork cutout value broke through the $93 level of resistance to average $93.40 last week. Belly primals showed the largest gains.
Compeer Financial Gives $69K To Wisconsin Organizations
Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded 12 General Use Grants, totaling $69,600 to Wisconsin community organizations. These grants fund initiatives and organizations whose work aligns with Compeer Financial’s mission by enriching agriculture and rural America.
The funding will directly impact the lives of 18,415 people. Grant recipients fall under one of the following categories:
- Education: educating young, beginning or future farmers.
- Environment: maintaining or improving the quality of the rural environment.
- Technology: supporting the advancement and utilization of technology for the benefit of farmers and rural communities.
- Quality of Life: programs or initiatives that enhance the quality of life for farmers and rural communities.
Since 2018, the Fund for Rural America has awarded 519 grants throughout Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, totaling $3 million in local support.
The Wisconsin organizations receiving support from the General Use Grant Program include:
- CESA 3: equipment for agriculture, food and natural resources careers education
- Church Health Services, Inc.: dental and mental health services
- Columbus FFA Alumni: electrical, plumbing, heating and structural repairs to school greenhouse
- Couleecap, Inc.: technical assistance for small businesses
- Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership: Wisconsin Youth Leadership Seminar
- Marbleseed: addressing language access gap with resource materials
- Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Inc. dba Entrepreneur Fund: business consultant and technical assistance for small businesses
- Scenic Bluffs Health Care Inc.: completing renovations and equipping a mobile dental unit
- School District of Wisconsin Dells – Brew Farm: barn fans and new barn doors
- Shepherds Ministries: essential equipment for student success
- The Swap and Shop Inc.: chest freezer and display cooler
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville: precision agriculture equipment for data analysis
Applications will open in May 2025 for summer 2025 Compeer Financial General Use Grants.
Vehicles On Ice Can Create Disasters
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds snowmobilers and ATV/UTV riders that no ice is 100% safe.
DNR wardens report a number of incidents of recreational vehicles going through the ice throughout the state. The DNR’s 2025 fatal crash reporting reflects six fatal off-highway vehicle (OHV) incidents so far this year. Four out of those six incidents involved UTVs going through the ice. There has also been one ice-related snowmobile fatality.
With sturgeon spearing kicking off this weekend and other popular fishing activities on lakes, it is extremely important to keep safety at the forefront.
Keep these safety tips in mind when operating recreational vehicles during winter.
- Remember UTVs are heavy. They are the heaviest recreational vehicle out on the ice, often being close to 3,000 pounds. This is similar to a car or truck.
- Have a plan in case you do go through the ice.
- Roll your window down when traveling on the ice and make sure you can easily open you door – drive slow and turn the radio down so that you can use eyes and ears to watch and hear for potential issues coming up.
- Make sure you have life jackets or some other type of floatation for every occupant of the UTV.
- Recovery for the UTV or other vehicle is the responsibility of the owner/operator. After 30 days, the owner can be fined each day after 30 days.
- Recovery rates for the machine can also be very expensive.
- This may not be the year to explore new locations – stick to known areas that typically have better ice conditions.
- The DNR does not monitor ice conditions. Local fishing clubs, outfitters and bait shops are the best sources for local current ice conditions.
- Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
- Carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
- Watch for pressure ridges or ice buckling. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.
Farm Policy in Focus
Edge Dairy Cooperative is preparing for 2025 with a proactive strategy focused on four key policy areas: rural workforce and prosperity, trade and supply chain, climate and environmental sustainability, and the Farm Bill.
Karen Gefvert, Edge’s Director of Government Affairs, emphasized the importance of these priorities. “We need to ensure policies support our farmers and the dairy industry,” she said. “By focusing on these areas, we can strengthen our rural communities and provide stability for producers.”
Rural Workforce and Rural Prosperity
Labor and immigration reform remain top concerns for dairy farmers. Edge is shifting its messaging to highlight the role of rural workers in sustaining America’s agricultural backbone. “A strong workforce is essential for maintaining rural support and infrastructure,” Gefvert explained.
Edge is also working to address challenges with visa programs. Farmers have reported unexpected denials of TN visas, which allow professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in U.S. agriculture. “Some applicants were suddenly denied, with no clear explanation,” Gefvert noted. “We engaged with Congress and the State Department to resolve the issue. Now, U.S. consular officers are visiting farms to better understand these roles.”
Trade and Supply Chain Stability
Trade agreements and tariffs directly impact dairy producers, especially in the Upper Midwest. “We need to keep trade policies that benefit our farmers front and center,” Gefvert stated. Edge is advocating for updates to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and exploring new trade opportunities.
Clinmate and Environmental Sustainability
Farmers are already implementing conservation practices that improve soil and water quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Edge is working to ensure they receive recognition and financial benefits for these efforts. “We need to find ways for farmers to monetize sustainability, whether through carbon markets or other incentives,” Gefvert said.
Farm Bill Advocacy
With a two-year extension of the Farm Bill in place, Edge is urging Congress to pass a new bill in 2025. “A long-term solution is critical,” Gefvert emphasized. Key dairy-related updates include improvements to the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and a proposal for more accurate and timely milk payments.
Currently, payment protections under the Federal Milk Marketing Order system depend on whether a processor pools its milk. “Farmers should not have to worry about inconsistent payment protections,” Gefvert stressed. Edge’s proposal would ensure regular payments and accurate pricing for all dairy farmers.
Sturgeon Spearing Opens February 8th
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season that will open Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, on the Winnebago System.
With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that runs for a maximum of 16 days (it closes Feb. 23) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met.
This year’s harvest caps are:
WATERBODY | JUVENILE FEMALES |
ADULT FEMALES |
MALES |
Lake Winnebago | 280 | 717 | 1,002 |
Upriver Lakes | 70 | 80 | 250 |
Winnebago System Totals | 350 | 797 | 1,252 |
If any harvest cap is met early, a closure notice will be posted to the DNR’s Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage and sent to subscribers of the DNR’s Sturgeon Spearing Updates email list.
Subscribe online to receive DNR sturgeon spearing season updates by email.
Season Predictions
The sturgeon spearing harvest is usually dictated in part by water clarity and ice conditions on the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago. This year’s assessments indicate poor water clarity, which could lead to a lengthy spearing season on Lake Winnebago. The DNR does not check water clarity on the Upriver Lakes, but due to their shallow water, clarity is usually not a major factor in predicting harvest on these waterbodies.
Spearers will be able to find the season forecast and daily harvest updates on the Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing webpage and via email.
Registration Information
The DNR reminds spearers that once they have successfully speared a sturgeon, the tag must be validated by tearing off the bottom portion, the sturgeon must then be brought to an official registration station and the spearer needs to be in line by 2 p.m. on the day it was speared.
Any sturgeon harvested from Lake Winnebago must be registered at one of the registration stations on Lake Winnebago, and any sturgeon harvested from the Upriver Lakes (lakes Poygan, Butte des Morts or Winneconne) must be registered at one of the Upriver Lakes registration stations.
Please check the 2025 sturgeon spearing regulations for specifics.
Stay Safe While Spearing
Spearers and spectators are reminded that no ice is 100% safe. The DNR does not monitor ice conditions, so check with local fishing clubs and conservation groups for local ice conditions.
Wisconsin Beef Cattle Herd Grows 6%
Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
Cattle
The much-anticipated January 1 Cattle Inventory report showed the U.S. cattle herd 1% lower than a year ago. Beef cows that have calved totaled 27.9 million head, 1% lower than January 1, 2023. Milk cow inventory was slightly higher. The number of beef heifers kept for replacement was 1% lower at 4.67 million head. Wisconsin led the nation in beef cow inventory growth by percentage. Wisconsin’s beef cow herd grew by 15,000 head to 275,000, an increase of 6%. It should be noted that the 1% growth in Texas and Oklahoma represents a much larger increase by head. The number of beef heifers kept for replacement in Wisconsin was 16% higher than a year ago at 65,000 head. Wisconsin’s milk cow inventory was 5,000 head fewer than last year. There were 640,000 cattle on feed in Wisconsin on January 1, an increase of 2%.
Negotiated bids were higher last week with another week of strong demand for quality fed cattle at area auction markets. The estimated weekly harvest of 600,000 head was 1,000 greater than the previous week and 32,000 fewer than last year. Wholesale beef prices showed some weakness with the Choice beef cutout averaging $329.65, a decrease of $1.58.
High Choice and Prime Beef
Fed cattle markets were mostly steady. High Choice and Prime beef breed steers brought $195-$210/cwt with some packages selling from $211-$222/cwt. Choice steers and heifers ranged from $188-$194/cwt. Holstein steers were steady although without the extreme tops of the past two weeks. High grading steers brought $172-$184 with reports of some to $186/cwt. Lower grading steers brought $147-$172. Silage-fed, under-finished or heavy dairy breed steers brought $80-$146/cwt. Dairy x Beef steers were steady, bringing $155-$200 with some higher.
Cows were mostly steady. Most of the cows brought $103-$125/cwt with some to the mid $130s and a few beef breed cows higher. Lower yielding cows brought $70-$103/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $70/cwt. Dairy breed bull calves were steady, selling from $200-$500/head with some heavier, well-managed calves selling to $875/head. Dairy breed heifer calves were steady, bringing $200-500/head. Beef and Beef Cross calves were steady, selling to $1,080/head. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $15.
Application Cycle For Cover Crops Rebate Program Closes
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s RMA, DATCP recently closed the third application cycle for its Crop Insurance Premium Rebates program. These are for Planting Cover Crops.
Through 2021 Wisconsin Act 233, Gov. Evers created the cover crop insurance program. It is to help protect soil and water resources and support producers implementing cover crop practices. Since 2022, 160,000 acres of coverage, or $800,000, has been awarded annually on a first-come, first-served basis.
Program participants receive a $5 per acre rebate credit to their crop insurance premium for acres planted with cover crops, then subsequently planted to an insurable cash crop. All acres are verified for eligibility prior to the issuance of rebates.
To date, producers in 60 of the 72 Wisconsin counties have participated in the program, and each year, an increased number of cover crop acreage is submitted during the application period. This year, program applications exceeded 224,000 acres, demonstrating how interest in the program far exceeds the funding available.
“The cover crop insurance rebate program is a newer program, but it is quickly growing in popularity with farmers,” said Secretary Romanski. “Governor Evers recognizes the value this tool provides to farmers, and his 2025-2027 budget includes $1.6 million to continue the program. This program has received bi-partisan support in the past. As the next budget progresses, we are hopeful that bi-partisan support for these strategic investments in Wisconsin producers will continue.”
DATCP has worked collaboratively with applicants, insurance providers, and the RMA to improve the application process since the program’s inception. A copy of the web-based rebate application, information about eligibility, and FAQs are available on covercroprebate.wi.gov.
Apply Now For Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program Grants
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for the 2025 Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program grant through 11:59 p.m. on March 16, 2025. DATCP will award a total of up to $1.5 million through this program in 2025.
Funded in Governor Evers’ 2023-2025 state budget, the Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program is designed to provide grants to nonprofit food assistance organizations for the purpose of purchasing and distributing food to tribal elders and supporting the growth and operations of food producers/processors from Tribal nations as well as all Wisconsin food producers/processors.
Funds must be used to support Tribal members and serve multiple Tribal nations in Wisconsin. Strong proposals will clearly demonstrate shared decision-making power among all project partners and that Tribal nations participating and receiving food have governance over food products moving through their pantries and to community members. Projects must collaborate with and partner on food security efforts with Tribal nations in Wisconsin. Purchased food must be distributed to Tribal members in Wisconsin at no cost. A minimum of 90% of the budget must be spent on food procurement. A maximum of 10% of the budget may be spent on other eligible expenses to implement or evaluate the project.
A total of $1.5 million is available and will be distributed through a competitive review process. These funds will bolster current efforts to purchase and distribute food to Tribal elders and support Indigenous-based food producers. There is no minimum request amount, and applicants may apply for up to $1.5 million. No match is required.