— Wisconsin farmers are finally getting some relief from the ongoing drought as rainfall across much of the state has improved crop conditions.
That’s according to the latest crop progress report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, which shows harvesting of oats, winter wheat and potatoes is proceeding ahead of last year’s rate.
As of the end of last week, 68 percent of oats for grain had been harvested, which is two days ahead of last year’s rate but equal to the average rate.
Ninety-five percent of the winter wheat crop had been harvested — five days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the average.
And 18 percent of the potato crop had been harvested, which is four days ahead of last year but equal to the average.
Meanwhile, corn silking was 95 percent complete and 64 percent of corn had reached the “dough” stage of development, as starch accumulation changes the consistency of the kernels. The report shows that’s three days ahead of last year’s progress, and two days ahead of the five-year average.
Plus, 94 percent of the soybean crop was blooming and 80 percent was setting pods — another indication of plant maturity. That’s one day behind last year and two days behind the average.
Though much of the state is still experiencing a drought, the National Integrated Drought Information System shows conditions are improving somewhat. A total of 3.9 million state residents are in areas of drought, but that figure has declined 20.3 percent since last week.
In order of descending severity, 0.7 percent of the state is under exceptional drought conditions, while 10.6 percent is under an extreme drought, 31.6 percent is under a severe drought, 35.5 percent is under a moderate drought and 18.3 percent is abnormally dry.
The only area of exceptional drought is at the state’s northernmost border, on the shore of Lake Superior. The areas of extreme drought are more scattered, but the largest portions are in the state’s northwestern, central and southwestern regions.
See the USDA report: https://www.wispolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/230821USDAcrops.pdf
See the NIDIS site: https://www.drought.gov/states/wisconsin
— GOP lawmakers are circulating legislation to create a free website Wisconsin farmers could use to calculate their carbon emissions.
Reps. Loren Oldenburg of Viroqua, Travis Tranel of Cuba City, Jeffrey Mursau of Crivitz, and Sen. Robert Cowles of Green Bay recently sent a cosponsorship memo to other legislators promoting the bill.
They noted that while the number of dairy farms in the state has declined 58 percent over the past decade, the total number of dairy cows hasn’t changed much.
“Wisconsin dairy farms (often smaller farms) are selling their cows to bigger operations because of limited economic opportunities,” they wrote. “Additionally, regulatory hurdles and lack of good information can prevent farmers from voluntarily participating in programs that can provide alternative income sources, including the green energy and carbon marketplace.”
Under the bill, DATCP would be required to establish an online carbon calculator tool that farmers could use to determine direct and indirect carbon emissions. Both the information submitted by farmers and the carbon emissions figures would be kept confidential, and wouldn’t be subject to open records requests, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau.
The lawmakers say the proposal represents “a step towards rethinking the way Wisconsin businesses may voluntarily approach reducing their carbon footprint while simultaneously supporting farmers by finding a new market for them to choose to participate in.”
According to the memo, it’s supported by the Wisconsin Biomass Energy Coalition, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin BioFuels Association, and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetables Growers Association.
The cosponsorship deadline is today.
— Sean Nelson, UW System vice president for finance and administration, says the Board of Regents will vote at its Oct. 5 meeting on a workforce development proposal that would seek to restore state aid GOP lawmakers cut in the budget.
Gov. Tony Evers had proposed a $305 million increase in state dollars for the UW System. But Republicans instead cut funding by $32 million as Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called for the system to eliminate spending on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The Rochester Republican has argued DEI amounts to left-wing indoctrination.
Republicans gave the UW System the option to reapply for the funding through the Joint Finance Committee by creating a plan to allocate it toward workforce development efforts.
Nelson in a presentation at yesterday’s special regents meeting said the system, pending board approval, will ask JFC leaders to release the $15.9 million per year based on a proposal to invest it in four key areas: engineering, nursing/healthcare, computer/data science and business.
See more coverage at WisPolitics: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/tue-pm-update-republicans-press-judicial-commission-appointees-on-recusal-rules/
— Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin have announced plans for a new hospital in Sheboygan.
According to yesterday’s release, plans for the 165,000-square-foot facility include a 10-bed community hospital, 10-bed emergency department, four operating rooms, outpatient clinical offices, space for imaging services and more. It’s expected to employ about 300 full- and part-time staff once operational.
Freodtert President and CEO Cathy Jacobson says the project represents “the next step in our northern expansion, complementing our acquisition of Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc, Wis. and our recent partnership with 11 primary care providers who have been practicing in the Sheboygan area for many years.”
While plans were approved recently by the Sheboygan Planning Commission, a timeline for the project is not yet being released.
See an earlier story on Froedtert’s plans to merge with ThedaCare this year: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/hospitals-merging-amid-industry-challenges/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— The UW School of Medicine and Public Health has named Dr. Hasmeena Kathuria as the next director of the university’s Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention.
Meanwhile, a Mequon-based digital health company called MediCardia Health has launched an updated version of its core software called Co-Pilot.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# We Energies doesn’t rule out further delays to coal plant retirements during earnings call
# Edgewood College program targets teacher shortage
# PGI fireworks convention in Oshkosh explodes into social media debate
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– As nearly 80% of Wisconsin is experiencing drought, “exceptional drought” level needed to be added to the monitor
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=784&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– FPC Live slims venue proposal to 1 downtown building
– What’s the cost of adding ‘Baird’ signage atop iconic downtown office tower?
– Milwaukee County issues RFP for last available Park East block
# EDUCATION
– Christian school to open at former Cardinal Stritch campus, thanks to new education funding formula
# ENVIRONMENT
– Millions of pounds of plastic are polluting the Great Lakes. Some students are working to clean it up.
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– 16 restaurants, cafes and bars opening soon in the Madison area
# HEALTH CARE
– Children’s Hospital urgent care center in Milwaukee gets first round of city approval
– Froedtert & Medical College confirm plans for Sheboygan complex
# MANAGEMENT
– Former GE Healthcare CFO joins Clarios as its new CFO
# POLITICS
– Republicans’ focus on Milwaukee shows Wisconsin will be a crucial state again in 2024
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=785&yr=2023
# SMALL BUSINESS
– Four new businesses coming to Milwaukee’s Near West Side
# SPORTS
– Former Badgers football players try to change the vibes around another sport: golf
# TOURISM
– Artstreet returns to Ashwaubomay Park this weekend with some changes
# TRANSPORTATION
– The Hop streetcar will debut newest service route in fall with limited service
– The Hop launching lakefront streetcar route with limited service this fall
# COLUMNS
– Commentary: Cardinal rising from the ashes
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
