Wet Weather Means Farmers Missing Out On Crop Insurance, Statewide Startup Competition, How Musicians Make A Living

Air Date:
Heard On The Morning Show
Flooded field
In this May 29, 2019 photo, a field is flooded by waters from the Missouri River, in Bellevue, Neb. Thousands of Midwest farmers are trying to make decisions as they endure a spring like no other. It started with a continuation of poor prices for corn and soybeans that fell even further as tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China ratcheted higher. Next came flooding from melting snow followed by day after day of torrential rains that made planting impossible or flooded fields where plants were just starting to emerge. Nati Harnik/AP Photo

Wet, cold weather means that Wisconsin farmers have only planted 46 percent of statewide corn acreage, compared with 77 percent this time last year. We learn about what this means for the crop, and farmers. Then, we talk about entrepreneurship in Wisconsin. We also explore how musicians in Wisconsin make a living.

Featured in this Show

  • Soggy Fields Continue Stalling Many Wisconsin Farmers

    Soggy fields continue to stall many Wisconsin farmers from planting, leaving the corn crop weeks behind schedule and some farmers in a risky position. A WPR reporter discusses how the wet weather is stressing one of the state’s key industries.

  • Wisconsin's Evolving Entrepreneurial Scene On Display At Annual Conference

    The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference kicks off today in Milwaukee, where among other things, a diverse group of entrepreneurs and start-ups will be competing in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest. We hear about the state’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape, and get the details on some of the contest’s entries.

  • Concert Promoter and DJ Discuss Music Business in Wisconsin

    Self-releasing musicians generated $643 million worldwide last year and are expected to generate more than $1 billion this year, according to a recent report by Rolling Stone. We talk with a Madison-based producer and a concert promoter about the music business in Wisconsin.

Episode Credits

  • Kate Archer Kent Host
  • Keegan Kyle Producer
  • Chris Malina Producer
  • Lee Rayburn Technical Director
  • Hope Kirwan Guest
  • Tom Still Guest
  • Marla Frank Guest
  • Pacal Bayley Guest