Despite a huge oversupply of cranberries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rejected a recommendation to curb cranberry production, citing concerns over possible illegal coordination between the Cranberry Marketing Committee and Canadian growers.
Tag: Agriculture
Posted inEnvironment, Health & Welfare, Water Watch Wisconsin
In state’s karst area, even good farming may pollute groundwater
Two new studies of private well water in Kewaunee County have linked contamination to fertilizer, livestock manure and human waste. “In these shallow bedrock areas, what you put on the surface, you will end up drinking eventually,” county conservationist Andy Wallander said.
Posted inEconomy
Ocean Spray bogged down with legal challenges
Cranberry growers charge in a federal lawsuit that Ocean Spray, the industry’s most dominant player, is costing them hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue by wielding undue influence over the market and driving prices lower than the cost of production.
Posted inEconomy
Cranberry industry, growers get creative to drive up demand
Overproduction has prompted cranberry growers and industry leaders to look for creative ways to get people in the United States and other countries to expand the role of cranberries beyond their annual cameo appearance on the Thanksgiving table.
Posted inEconomy
Cranberry growers struggle for income amid oversupply
With a 57 percent increase in cranberry production nationwide from 2002 to 2013 — and sales that continue to trail demand — U.S. growers such as the VanWychens are struggling to create new markets to absorb a growing oversupply of the tiny tart berries grown in marshes.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Water Watch Wisconsin
Even while adapting, most Wisconsin farmers are climate skeptics
The upshot: “First thing about climate change: Don’t talk about climate change,” said UW-Madison researcher Paul Mitchell. “Whatever language you need to use to work with your audience — that’s the language you would use.”
Posted inEnvironment, Government
Mega-dairy’s growth plans hotly debated
A four-day hearing on challenges to the expansion of a Kewaunee County mega-dairy illustrated deep divisions, ranging from neighbors who shared fears of polluted wells and illness to fertilizer and feed dealers who showed up to express their support of big farms.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Water Watch Wisconsin
Disputed expansion of dairy watched for statewide impact
In a Green Bay hearing beginning Tuesday, a controversial attempt to expand a dairy farm set to become the fifth largest in Wisconsin will be challenged in a case that could have a far-reaching impact on how Wisconsin regulates industrial-size livestock farms.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Water Watch Wisconsin
DNR vacancies hinder CAFO enforcement
Water-quality advocates say the state Department of Natural Resources’ regulation of large farms, known as concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs, is too lax. DNR acknowledges low staffing levels have strained enforcement efforts, and described the program.
Posted inEndocrine disruptors, Environment, WisWatch Blog
Podcast and gallery: Karst + waste + drinking water = trouble
Two bonus features supplementing last week’s major package on estrogenic wells in Wisconsin’s karst region.
Posted inEconomy, Environment
Wisconsin’s booming grape crop at risk from herbicide drift
Grape farmers in Wisconsin are facing a growing threat, and in many cases it is coming from their own neighbors. Herbicides that are used to kill weeds in crops such as corn and soybeans can be deadly to other plants, including grapes. Food or wine grape vines exposed to the chemicals may shrivel up, turn colors and grow strange, elongated new leaves.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Groundwater supply, Water Watch Wisconsin
Groundwater war pits Wisconsin farms against fish
“Long Lake was once a trophy bass lake. So when we moved here, in the first two years, my boys were catching bass like crazy,” said Brian Wolf, who owns a cabin on Long Lake. “It was like catching fish in a barrel as the water declined.”