“As for the weather, we are glad to be saying goodbye to ‘Feb-brr-ary’. It has been cold with wind chills in that 20-30 degree below-zero range for several days and actual temperatures running below zero,” reports Mike Austin (WTAQ/WDEZ and WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI). With the exception of a brief respite, February temperatures were averaging 15-20 degrees below normal. “But, farmers have been taking the cold in stride. (Matter of fact, better than that Packer loss to Seattle—the sting of that is still with many of them).” Mike adds, “This is the second year we've had a real deep freeze without a lot of snow which is the bigger concern.” He questions how this may impact alfalfa and winter wheat crops. In the counties he covers in northeastern and north central Wisconsin, they are running 15-20 inches below normal in snowfall totals. “I'm sure my travels are similar to farm broadcasters throughout the country although I just attended a couple programs that were geared more to this region and this state.” Those were on new animal husbandry law in Wisconsin and dealing with the size and weight of farm equipment on Wisconsin state roads.
Other interesting topics were shared at the recent Midwest Manure Summit including manure processing and water recovery systems, manure irrigation, and odor control. Mike said he attended a workshop on soil health by the Natural Resource Conservation Service that “opened a few eyes of local growers on what can be achieved in soil health and increased yields.” He concludes, “All in all, it's been a very cold, but informative winter.” Mike has been covering agricultural news and events for more than 30 years in northeastern Wisconsin. A graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, he began his career in northeastern Iowa before coming to the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin in 1978. In 1980, he began doing agricultural reports on both radio and TV in Green Bay, WI.
In December, Fox Valley Technical College recognized him by re-naming their Ag Communicator Award as the Mike Austin Ag Communicator of the Year Award.
