As diesel and fertilizer prices continue to rise, Matt Rehberg said running a midsized soybean and corn farm in Rock County is a balancing act. With the Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series, UW-Milwaukee political science professor Mordecai Lee described how partisan politics is taking a back seat to baseball in Wisconsin.

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Matt Rehberg
Owner, Sparkling Springs Farm

• With the fall harvest in full swing at his soybean and corn farm in the eastern Rock County community of Clinton, Rehberg said his attention is on bringing in the crops. while increasing expenses have him keeping a close eye on the books. For his operation, the cost of fertilizer is more of an issue than for diesel.
• Rehberg: “I would say general global economics has played a factor in the price. But, you know, every industry and consumer is kind of dealing with the same issue. But you know, for us, it becomes more of a — like a management problem. OK, we have these increased costs — do we do a better job marketing, do we control costs, control inputs? It’s kind of just a challenge in doing business, you know, that we’re used to.”

Mordecai Lee
Political science professor emeritus, UW-Milwaukee

• As fevered as politics is on the cusp of the midterm elections, the World Series has overshadowed the campaigns, especially in Milwaukee, where the Brewers are facing off against the Tampa Bay Rays in their first October Classic run in 44 years. Lee said many people don’t want to think about politics right now, and instead just want to think about the Brewers and happiness for their success.
• Lee: “I think living in Milwaukee for the past week, the answer would be what election, what politics? It’s just amazing. For example, the TV news is 100% minute-to-minute Brewers. For example, yesterday I was interviewed by a TV reporter about the debate and they never aired the story because they didn’t have airtime after they did all the Brewer coverage. I might have been the only one in Milwaukee who watched the debate. I mean, that’s how much people aren’t paying attention.”

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