Wisconsin farmers are dealing with a new pest familiar to gardeners. Slugs! Dane Elmquist tells Stephanie Hoff that slugs are becoming a bigger field pest because of conservation practices. Elmquist is the conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension. Slugs thrive in no-till and cover crop systems because the heavy crop residue and lack of soil disturbance create a cool, moist microclimate where populations can build up year over year. While they feed on both corn and soybeans, slugs pose a greater economic threat to soybeans; corn is generally more resilient and can often outgrow the damage. Crops are most at risk early in the season as seedlings, particularly when a mild winter is followed by a wet spring that slows down initial plant growth. Recent heavy infestations have been reported in Northeast Wisconsin, specifically within the Fox-Wolf watershed area near Green Bay. To combat the lack of data on slug populations in Wisconsin, researchers launched SlugNet, a monitoring project where volunteers use simple roofing shingles as "traps" to track and report slug activity across the state. Be a part of it by searching SlugNet online!

Frosty start to our Thursday morning, and that trends going to continue. Stu Muck, ag weatherman, says overnight frost/freeze warnings will persist into the weekend.

No go on the 2026 Farm Bill yesterday. Between worries about SNAP budget constraints and E-15 additions, it's headed back to the House Rules Committee for negotiation. Pam Jahnke shares comments from Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

Nonfat dry milk is at 10 year highs in pricing. Why? Collin Aardema, dairy advisor for EverAg, explains that nonfat dry milk is an ideal ingredient in a lot of foods - especially those high in protein. What's different about this rally he says - China's missing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.