Five Wisconsin counties saw a producer decline of at least 15% over five years while agriculture production sales increased.
Tag: Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk
The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is an editorially independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report For America and funded by the Walton Family Foundation. Wisconsin Watch is a member of the network.
Posted inEnvironment
How many manure spills is too many? St. Croix County residents scrutinize big farm’s new owner
The new owner of a large St. Croix County dairy farm with a history of manure spills is seeking to build trust among watchful residents who worry about deteriorating water quality.
Posted inEnvironment
‘We should have a sense of urgency’ as farm drainage tile drives nutrient pollution
An increased use of agricultural drainage tile is one reason a 2025 deadline to reduce nitrate and phosphorus entering the Gulf of Mexico by 20% is unlikely.
Posted inEnvironment
Could the Mississippi River benefit from Chesapeake Bay’s strategy to improve water quality?
Environmental groups and policy analysts in the Mississippi River basin have looked to a regional cleanup program in the Chesapeake Bay as a model.
Posted inEnvironment
Not just a Gulf problem: Mississippi River farm runoff pollutes upstream waters
Nutrient pollution doesn’t just contribute to the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone, it’s causing problems upstream, too. Across the Midwest, excess nitrogen is leaching from soil into groundwater, putting drinking water at risk.
Posted inEnvironment
At the mouth of the Mississippi, Louisiana bears the burden of upstream runoff. Why doesn’t it push for solutions?
Despite contributing little to the runoff problem, Louisiana bears the brunt. The state has the power to call on the EPA for a multi-state conference but has never done so.
Posted inEnvironment
Farm to Trouble: As conservation lags, so does progress in slashing Gulf of Mexico’s ‘dead zone’
Just one year away from a 2025 deadline to reduce nitrate and phosphorus entering the Gulf of Mexico by 20%, success seems unlikely.
Posted inEconomy, Environment
‘Precision ag’ promised a farming revolution. It’s coming, just slowly
Precision agriculture has long promised to provide more granular data — and new tech to use it — for farmers facing pressure to increase yields while being more environmentally friendly. It’s had successes, but some of the loftiest promises are still out of reach.
Posted inEnvironment
For a century, this upper Mississippi River refuge has been an ecological oasis. What comes next?
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Dozens of events this summer are aimed at getting people out to explore its beauty and unique value.
Posted inEnvironment
Spring bird migration is underway along the Mississippi River flyway: Here’s what to know
Here’s everything you need to know about the important Mississippi River flyway — and when and where to see birds amid their long journey.
Posted inEconomy, Environment
Farmers’ long fight for the Right to Repair gets little traction in John Deere’s home state of Illinois
The Farm Bureau agreed not to support R2R legislation in exchange for consumer repair diagnostics. Farmers and repair advocates say the tools fall short.
Posted inEnvironment
Ice cover on the upper Mississippi River was fleeting this winter. Is this our future?
Above-average temperatures across the upper Midwest, driven in part by the El Niño climate pattern and in part by human-caused climate change, made for less than one month of safe ice on the Mississippi River, scientists estimate.