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2011: The Year of the Farmer
Monday, December 26th, 2011 -- 10:11 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
As the year comes to a close, Wisconsin farmers are reflecting on what was a pretty good year on a number of fronts.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is out with their annual look at the top ag stories of the past year. The top stories, in no particular order, were Wisconsin's political climate, the national debate over the Farm Bill and dairy reforms, the passage of free-trade agreements, the strong farm economy and, as always, the weather.
While other parts of the country experienced a violent and downright strange weather in 2011, Wisconsin was largely spared. The summer was a bit sticky, but that made for ideal growing conditions.
While the rest of the economy sputtered, WFBF President Bill Bruins calls agriculture “an island of prosperity amid otherwise choppy economic waters.”
Case in point, a parcel of farmland in Rock County sold in excess of $11,000 per acre this year, which was believed to be a state record.
Closer to home, Clark County farmers will remember 2011 as the year they became the number one dairy county in the state, in virtually every category.
UW-Extension Dairy and Livestock Agent Maria Bendixen told us new statistics show Clark County increased yields by about 1,000 pounds per head and added about 1,000 cows to their herds.
That slung Clark County ahead of neighboring Marathon County in milk production, number of dairy cows and herds.
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