— Widespread drought conditions are hurting some crops in the state, according to the latest report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The federal agency’s latest crop progress report, produced in cooperation with DATCP, covers the week ending June 18. It shows moisture levels in both topsoil and subsoil have been declining throughout the month, as nearly half of the state is currently experiencing drought conditions.
“Although some precipitation was received in areas, dry conditions are reported to be affecting row crop growth and the growth of the second hay crop,” report authors wrote.
The National Integrated Drought Information System website shows 4.3 million Wisconsin residents are currently living in areas of drought. That number has increased by 36.7 percent since last week.
And while 44.6 percent of the state is “abnormally dry,” 46.2 percent of the state is in a moderate drought. That includes much of southern Wisconsin and part of the state’s northwestern region. Last month was the state’s fourth driest May on record, based on data going back to 1895, the federal site shows. Total precipitation was 1.59 inches for the month, which is 1.95 inches lower than normal.
Despite the challenging conditions, overall crop growth for corn, soybeans, oats and winter wheat has proceeded ahead of the five-year average on a statewide basis.
The USDA report shows 94 percent of the corn crop has emerged, which is five days ahead of last year and four days ahead of the average. Meanwhile, 94 percent of the soybean crop has also emerged, 9 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the average. And 95 percent of the oat crop has emerged and 44 percent of that crop was headed — a sign of maturity for the plant — which is 10 days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the average.
Still, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Joe Bragger warns that continued drought conditions could pose a serious problem for farmers in the state. In an interview yesterday, he said his own farm in Buffalo County is running “terribly behind” due to limited rainfall in western Wisconsin.
“We typically sell our second crop to a neighbor. This year, we had to harvest it because we’re worried about if we’ll have enough forage to feed our animals. And what we harvested … was half the yield that we normally would have,” he said. “So the effects are already happening.”
But he also noted modern farming practices, such as no-till farming and cover crops, and crop genetics are helping to reduce the impact of the drought. He explained the corn he’s planting has been modified to handle drier weather.
“That’s helping us tremendously,” he said. “So agriculture has evolved a long way. This drought would be absolutely devastating 30 years ago … Agriculture has come a long way in water conservation.”
See the USDA report: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/2023/WI-Crop-Progress-06-20-23.pdf
See the NIDIS site: https://www.drought.gov/states/wisconsin
— Dem lawmakers have introduced a package aimed at protecting pollinators and Wisconsin’s agriculture industry.
The “pollen-ticians,” as Rep. Deb Andraca in a Capitol press conference yesterday called the group, want to protect an essential part of Wisconsin’s economy and ecosystem. The six-bill package would allow local governments to restrict pesticides to protect pollinators, bar the Department of Natural Resources from using insecticides harmful to pollinators and designate the rusty patched bumble bee as the state’s insect, among other things.
It’s being introduced during National Pollinator Week.
Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, said legislators are not proposing to remove the honeybee from its current spot as the official insect of Wisconsin, but rather to add the endangered bumble bee to the list.
“If we can have four different kinds of rocks, soils and minerals, surely there’s more room in some of the other categories,” she said.
Other measures in the package would:
*Bar plant sellers from advertising plants treated with harmful insecticides as beneficial to pollinators;
*Require government agencies to use native prairie and forage plants where appropriate; and
*Proclaim June 2023 as Pollinator Awareness Month.
Watch the event:
— Wisconsin’s unemployment reserve fund is rebounding after a pandemic-induced draw produced the biggest drop since the 2009 recession, but current levels could leave the state unprepared for another downtown, a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report shows.
The fund’s $232.9 million growth since last year pushed the reserve to $1.36 billion, but not as high as the $1.97 billion reported at the end of 2019, a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Wisconsin, according to the report. The reserve avoided the red because of pre-pandemic savings and nearly $5 billion in federal assistance.
“By ensuring the unemployed retain some basic spending power, it protects both affected workers and everyone in the state from the economic shock of layoffs,” the report notes.
Still, as higher interest rates raise the near-term risk of recession, reserves remain below most other states’ levels and federal recommendations, “potentially leaving Wisconsin unprepared for another downturn.”
The U.S. Department of Labor in a 2023 unemployment fund report on how prepared states are for one year of high claims ranked Wisconsin 33rd, down from 30th in DOL’s 2020 report.
The fund dropped $839.5 million over 2020, the largest since the over $1 billion decline in 2009 at the height of the Great Recession. But reserves were still at $1.31 billion by year’s end, according to the report.
Usually, Wisconsin employers would have paid more in unemployment payroll taxes during the pandemic, as unemployment claims ballooned to 321,063 from 43,607 between March 14 and April 18, 2020, the report notes.
But because Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2022 and this year suspended a rule that ties the tax rate to the amount in the reserve, Wisconsinites avoided a tax hike.
The report also points out once the reserve reaches above $1.2 billion, it triggers the lowest of four tax schedules, “and the reserves on June 30 should finish comfortably above that threshold – a major advantage in the short term for employers.”
See the report:
— Northwestern Mutual is providing $3 million to two Milwaukee organizations working to support affordable housing in southeastern Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee-based financial services company yesterday announced it would invest $2.5 million in the Milwaukee Community Land Trust, which purchases and refurbishes homes before selling them “well below” market value. The homebuyers must agree to also sell the home for below market value, “ensuring subsidies are passed onto future generations,” according to the trust’s website.
Northwestern Mutual is also donating $500,000 to Acts Housing’s Homeownership Acquisition Fund. Per the release, this support will help address a shortage of quality affordable homes available for purchase by Black and Latino residents, adding up to 20 homes in the Milwaukee area.
These funds are being provided by the company’s Sustained Action for Racial Equity initiative and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, with the larger investment coming from its $100 million impact investment fund.
See more details in the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/northwestern-mutual-dedicates-3-million-to-help-residents-in-milwaukees-underserved-communities-achieve-homeowner-status/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— Researchers at UW-Madison have developed methods for screening potential antifungal compounds, which could be used to develop new treatments for infections.
NorthStar Medical Technologies has appointed Frank Scholz as the company’s new president and CEO, with current CEO Stephen Merrick moving to the executive chairman position starting Monday.
<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#
# University of Wisconsin president warns of campus closures, tuition hikes if GOP cuts budget
# Pollinators are declining, but some Wisconsinites see ways to reverse that trend
# The Milwaukee sales tax bill comes with big strings attached. Here are 5 changes coming to the city.
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Wisconsin Ag Coalition celebrates unanimous legislative action on Agricultural Road Improvement Program
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=606&yr=2023
– Wisconsin FFA State Convention recognizes exceptional members with Stars Over Wisconsin awards
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=607&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Construction along I-43 won’t be done anytime soon. Here’s what you should know.
# ECONOMY
– A court ruling took tribal land off Wisconsin tax rolls. The victory for the tribes has blown a hole in municipal budgets.
# LEGAL
– Waukesha-based company faces lawsuit for allegedly not paying suppliers for excess inventory
# MEDIA
– Fox News announces Milwaukee location for August presidential debate
# POLITICS
– Evers signs bill boosting state funding for local Wisconsin governments
– Wisconsin governor signs bipartisan bill designed to prevent Milwaukee bankruptcy
# REAL ESTATE
– Northridge Mall demolition, stalled by court challenge, complicated by developers request
– Northwestern Mutual donates $3 million to support Milwaukee housing initiatives
# SPORTS
– Milwaukee Bucks restaurants The Cluckery closes in Mequon
# TECHNOLOGY
– Artificial intelligence in action
– Madison virtual reality firm Holos awarded $1.8 million Air Force contract
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
WMC: Applauds legislature, governor for increasing school choice funding
Dept. of Workforce Development: Agricultural training highlighted during June Dairy Month
