Drought 2012

Drought 2012

Much of Wisconsin remains in drought. This page is a clearinghouse of information for farmers, media, and others seeking information and resources about the situation and how to deal with it. We will add information as it becomes available.

Secretary Ben Brancel answers frequent questions about the drought (3:16 video)

Secretary Ben Brancel visits farms in drought-stricken areas (Photo gallery)

Central Information Sources: State and federal offices providing drought-related resources for farmers
Farmer-to-Farmer Networks: Sourcing for hay, corn, forages, pasture land
Aflatoxin in corn: Information about risks and testing
Haying and Grazing: Deadlines have passed, so haying and grazing on CRP, WRP and state lands is no longer allowed
Hauling Hay: Information about overweight permits
Cover crops: Financial assistance available to plant cover crops
Irrigation from Streams and Lakes: DNR information
Reporting Crop and Livestock Losses: FSA contact information
Cautions: Avoiding environmental and animal health risks during and after drought
WHEDA Drought Relief Guarantee Program: Loan guarantees for drought-related costs
Weather Information: Drought Monitor and crop-weather reports
Press releases: Government announcements related to drought
Disaster/emergency declarations: State and federal actions

Central Information Sources

Wisconsin Farm Center
The Wisconsin Farm Center, housed in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, provides financial planning services. It offers mediation services between farmers and creditors as well as help farmers find other sources of assistance. Staff, all of whom come from farm backgrounds, are also trained in dealing with people in emotional crisis.

University of Wisconsin-Extension
UW-EX has gathered information ranging from personal safety to livestock care to climate data on its drought webpage.

Department of Natural Resources
Information to cope with the 2012 drought including details on burning restrictions, contacts if your private well is running dry, request for fast review of emergency crop irrigation and instructions to submit your emergency high capacity well application.

Wisconsin Emergency Management
Wisconsin Emergency Management provides links to information about agricultural topics as well as drought-related topics for consumers.

Farm Service Agency-Wisconsin Office
This USDA office in Madison has state-specific information about federal financial assistance.

Natural Resources Conservation Service-Wisconsin Office
Another USDA office in Madison with state-specific information about federal assistance for conservation measures.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Information about federal disaster assistance, crop insurance, haying and grazing on CRP and WRP lands.

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Farmer-to farmer-networks

For hay, forages and corn: http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/
For pasture rental:  https://farmertofarmer.crowdmap.com/

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Aflatoxin in corn

Aflatoxins are chemicals produced by some molds that infect corn. They may reduce feed efficiency and reproduction in animals, and suppress their immune systems. They may also cause cancer in humans and animals. Although the risk of aflatoxins is greatest in hot, dry summers like the one we've just experienced, it is not normally a big risk in Wisconsin, even during drought years. Nevertheless, it may occur. Before feeding corn to your livestock, you may want to test it. Iowa State University has a good fact sheet about aflatoxins and testing.

You can submit grain samples to our Grain Inspection Unit in Superior. The fee is $27 per sample. For more information, contact Dave Martin, 715-392-7855, davidj1.martin@wi.gov. We also have a list of feed-testing laboratories elsewhere on this website. You will need to scroll down the page to reach it.

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Hauling Hay

To help move hay to farmers who need it, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is issuing free permits until June 30, 2013, to transport overweight loads of hay during daylight hours on non-posted state and local highways under certain conditions. Call the DOT at 608-266-7320 to apply for a permit. More details.

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Cover Crops

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has financial assistance available for farmers in the 32 southernmost counties in Wisconsin. Details here.

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Irrigation from Streams and Lakes

The Department of Natural Resources is expediting requests for permits to draw water from lakes and streams for irrigation. More details. County contacts. You can also call 920-662-5452.

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Reporting Crop and Livestock Losses

To be eligible for any federal disaster assistance that becomes available if your county is declared a disaster area, document and report crop losses to your local Farm Service Agency Office. Also document any livestock losses in case aid is included in the 2012 Farm Bill, which has not yet been passed by Congress. More details. Local FSA offices.

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Cautions

Farmers Warned of Applying Manure on Dry, Cracked Soil

Drought May Lead to Nitrate Poisoning in Feed

Toxic Plants in Drought-stressed Pastures

Farmers Harvesting Corn Silage Urged to Store It in a Way That Protects Water

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WHEDA Drought Relief Guarantee Program

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will provide $1.5 million in loan guarantees, along with an interest reduction payment to lends to allow for lower interest rates for drought-affected farmers.
More information and how to apply.

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Weather information

Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service weekly crop-weather reports

U.S. Drought Monitor provides weekly updates with information drawn from the National Weather Service and other sources

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Press releases

Farmer-to-Farmer Network Update (12/7)

Drought Prompts Temporary Lifting of Farmland Preservation, CREP Restrictions (7/25)

Governor Walker Announces Approval of Federal Disaster Designation Due to Drought (7/25)

Resources for Farmers as Drought Continues (7/25)

Governor Walker Calls on State Ag and Transportation Agencies to Take Emergency Steps to Assist Drought-Stricken Farmers 

Governor Walker Announces New Harvest and Grazing Rules to Address Drought-Related Feed Shortage 97/23/12)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces New Obama Administration Efforts to Assist Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by Drought  (7/23/12)

Governor Walker Requests Federal Disaster Designation for 23 Counties Due to Drought (7/19/12)

Governor Walker Extends Drought Emergency to Entire State as Conditions Worsen (7/18/12)

Governor Walker Declares Drought Emergency, Encourages Farmers to Report Crop Condition (7/9/12)

Farm Center Assistance Available (7/5/12)

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Disaster and emergency declarations

The following Wisconsin counties are under USDA drought disaster declarations: Adams, Clark,Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood

The following counties are contiguous to counties declared drought disaster areas, so farmers in these counties can also receive benefits: Brown, Calumet, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, Kewaunee, Outagamie, Marathon, Marinette, Portage Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vilas, Winnebago, and Wood

A map of declared and contiguous counties is available on the USDA website.

Wisconsin state of emergency expanded to entire state

Wisconsin state of emergency declared by Governor Walker permits expedited processing of permits to irrigate from lakes and streams

Federal disaster declaration process has not started, but farmers should report crop losses to their local U.S. Farm Service Agency offices

Expedited disaster declaration process announced by USDA July 11, 2012

Federal disaster assistance that may become available if a disaster is declared

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