Central Wisconsin has been witnessing an unusual weather pattern, transitioning from a drought last year to excessive rainfall this year, impacting berry farms significantly. Mike Arnold, owner and operator of Arnold's Strawberries in Rudolph, reports that the continuous rain is spoiling the ripe berries, marking a stark contrast to the previous year's drought conditions.
Arnold's Strawberries, which recently concluded day 12 of their picking season, has seen an 80% loss in ripe berries. However, the farm is mitigating losses by selling the spoiled berries to local livestock owners at a discounted rate. Arnold notes that this situation is not isolated to his farm; other berry farmers in the region are facing similar challenges due to the high water table and persistent rain. Despite the setbacks, Arnold's Strawberries plans to continue allowing picking in the remaining fields for the short term.
Source: wsaw.com