{"id":11712,"date":"2021-08-01T14:04:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-01T22:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/?p=11712"},"modified":"2021-08-14T14:12:55","modified_gmt":"2021-08-14T22:12:55","slug":"wisconsin-mink-production-hits-51-year-low-amid-covid-19-inventory-glut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/2021\/08\/01\/wisconsin-mink-production-hits-51-year-low-amid-covid-19-inventory-glut\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin mink production hits 51-year low amid COVID-19, inventory glut"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"list-inline\">\n<li><span id=\"author-f6834762-9c19-11e8-a24b-f7a619191d16-asset-e9b88830-7379-5e76-aa2d-e191d3285484\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/madison.com\/users\/profile\/Chris%20Hubbuch\">Chris Hubbuch | Wisconsin State Journal<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row lee-text-row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content\">\n<div class=\"lee-article-text first-p\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021_minkpelts.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11713\" src=\"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021_minkpelts-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021_minkpelts-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021_minkpelts-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021_minkpelts-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2021_minkpelts.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>As Wisconsin\u2019s mink production fell to its lowest level in more than half a century, animal rights activists want to shut down the remaining fur farms, which they say could spawn new variants of the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>But others say the state\u2019s oldest industry is poised for a rebound.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Wisconsin\u2019s mink production fell by more than half last year to the lowest level in more than 50 years, according to numbers released last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>The state\u2019s ranchers produced 403,540 mink pelts in 2020, down from 1.02 million the previous year and less than a third the number in 2015, according to US. Department of Agriculture estimates released last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden-print asset-breakout-container \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-html  p402_hide subscriber-only tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-html tnt-inline-relation-child tnt-inline-presentation-default tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<div class=\"html-content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-7td5d\" title=\"Mink production plummets\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/7td5d\/2\/\" name=\"datawrapper-chart-7td5d\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Interactive line chart\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>That\u2019s the lowest number and biggest single-year drop on record based on data going back to 1969.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Once home to more than 500 mink ranches, Wisconsin had 67 operating as recently as the last USDA census in 2017. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says just 19 are still in business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden-print asset-breakout-container \">Wisconsin remained the nation\u2019s top mink producer but contributed just 29% of the nation\u2019s total, down from 38% the previous year.<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>The value of the state\u2019s mink pelt exports fell from more than $103 million in 2018 to less than $37 million last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row lee-text-row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content\">\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Mark Rhoda-Reis, bureau director of the state\u2019s International Agribusiness Center, said trade tensions with China, a slowdown in the fashion industry and high inventories of pelts all contributed to the decrease in exports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Michael Whelan, executive director of the industry trade association Fur Commission USA, blamed overproduction that followed record-high prices a decade ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cEveryone was thinking we\u2019re going to get $100 per pelt forever,\u201d Whelan said. \u201cWorld production doubled. That created a glut.\u201d That sent prices tumbling to near-record lows in 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThe ranchers can only survive so long when prices are below production costs,\u201d Whelan said. \u201cSmaller ranchers decided to do something else.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Total U.S. mink production was down 48% for the year even as the average price of a pelt jumped to $33.70, rebounding from a 28-year low of $21.90. Many of those domestic mink skins passed through Stoughton, where Saga Furs operates one of a handful of North American grading operations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Charles Ross, manager of North American operations at Saga Furs, said despite challenges it was a profitable year for the Finnish auction house, which sold about 90% of its offerings and saw prices climb with each auction. \u201cWe\u2019re back to a price where a farmer can make a living again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row lee-text-row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content\">\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Ross said the skill of the Stoughton workforce was an added asset as pandemic protocols put a hold on in-person auctions. \u201cWe kept the team intact,\u201d he said. \u201cThey produce a very clean grade that buyers respect and can feel confident buying.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-article  p402_hide subscriber-only tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-article tnt-inline-relation-sibling tnt-inline-presentation-summary tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<article id=\"card-summary-0d3c2e66-03e6-5d16-b169-ac9b3cbacf6a\" class=\"tnt-asset-type-article clearfix card summary has-image  letterbox-style-default  tnt-section-business\">\n<div class=\"card-container\">\n<div class=\"card-image \">\n<div class=\"media-preview-0d3c2e66-03e6-5d16-b169-ac9b3cbacf6a media-preview article-asset\" data-aspect=\"\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\"><a class=\"tnt-asset-link\" href=\"https:\/\/madison.com\/wsj\/business\/wisconsin-fur-finnish-auction-house-takes-over-stoughton-mink-trading-hub\/article_0d3c2e66-03e6-5d16-b169-ac9b3cbacf6a.html#tracking-source=in-article\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"246px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=150%2C94 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=200%2C126 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=225%2C141 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=300%2C188 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=400%2C251 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=540%2C339 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=640%2C402 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=750%2C471 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=990%2C622 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C650 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C754 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C838 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C927 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1816%2C1141 2008w\" alt=\"Wisconsin fur: Finnish auction house takes over Stoughton mink trading hub\" width=\"1816\" height=\"1141\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=150%2C94 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=200%2C126 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=225%2C141 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=300%2C188 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=400%2C251 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=540%2C339 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=640%2C402 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=750%2C471 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=990%2C622 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C650 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C754 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C838 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C927 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1816%2C1141 2008w\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card-body\">\n<div class=\"card-headline\">\n<p class=\"tnt-headline \">After a 350-year-old Canadian fur trading company went bankrupt just as Wisconsin mink farmers were beginning their harvest, a Finnish competitor is breathing new life into the state\u2019s oldest industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><span style=\"color: #1f1a22; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;\">Threat seen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tncms-region-article_instory_middle\" class=\"tncms-region hidden-print\">\n<div id=\"tncms-block-1730777\" class=\"tncms-block\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Animal rights activists hailed the numbers as a sign of trouble for the domestic fur industry, which primarily serves markets in Asia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>PJ Smith, director of fashion for the Humane Society of the United States, took credit for the downturn, noting prominent retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, have announced plans to stop selling furs, while Israel last month became the first nation to ban fur sales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWhile the pandemic has had a significant impact on the global fur trade, this downward spiral started well before 2020,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThrough our successes thus far in eliminating the demand for fur, we\u2019re essentially making production obsolete.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Other groups are calling on Congress to pass legislation that would ban mink farming, which they say can spread the virus that causes COVID-19.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThis is a domestic viral threat of the highest order,\u201d said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row lee-text-row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content\">\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re very worried about variants,\u201d Pacelle said, noting that many mink farms are in rural areas with low vaccination rates. \u201cYou have a perfect storm circumstance for mink farms to extend the duration and severity of the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Mink-to-human transmission of COVID-19 has been documented in Denmark, the Netherlands and Michigan, according to a report by Animal Wellness Action. State Veterinarian Darlene Konkle said there have been no documented cases of mink-to-human transmission in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>At least 19 million mink were culled after outbreaks at European farms last spring. Outbreaks were subsequently confirmed at multiple farms in Utah, Michigan, Wisconsin and Oregon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>About 5,500 mink on two Wisconsin farms died as a result of COVID-19 infections, said Kevin Hoffman, a spokesperson for the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Dr. Jim Keen, director of veterinary sciences at the Center for a Humane Economy, said the tight confines in which mink are raised allow disease to spread rapidly and increase the risk of mutations, and the thousands of captive mink that escape each year could then transmit the disease to the wild population.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThen you have a reservoir forever,\u201d Keen said. \u201cYou could get rid of it in humans and it would continue to spread.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs\">\n<div class=\"lee-sticky-ad is_stuck\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden-print asset-breakout-container  subscriber-ad\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"row lee-text-row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content\">\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-image layout-horizontal  p402_hide subscriber-only  tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-image tnt-inline-relation-child tnt-inline-presentation-default tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal hover-expand letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-e9b88830-7379-5e76-aa2d-e191d3285484-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-e9b88830-7379-5e76-aa2d-e191d3285484\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=150%2C92 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=200%2C122 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=225%2C138 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=300%2C183 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=400%2C245 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=540%2C330 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=640%2C391 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=750%2C459 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=990%2C606 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C633 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C734 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C815 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C903 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1841%2C1126 2008w\" alt=\"Mink\" width=\"1841\" height=\"1126\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=150%2C92 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=200%2C122 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=225%2C138 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=300%2C183 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=400%2C245 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=540%2C330 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=640%2C391 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=750%2C459 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=990%2C606 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C633 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C734 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C815 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C903 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/ed\/5ed5cc70-d95a-5f0f-b25a-7ffe69a1562a\/61071f04c2e16.image.jpg?resize=1841%2C1126 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">A wild mink walks across a frozen pond in Racine County, Wisconsin. Animal-rights activists say captive mink could spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to the wild population.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>But government researchers\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/eid\/article\/27\/3\/20-4444_article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">found little evidence<\/a>\u00a0of the virus spreading to wildlife from affected mink farms in Utah last year. \u201cIn general, if biosecurity and infection control processes are implemented on the farms, it will mitigate the spread of diseases in and out of farms,\u201d said Hon Ip, a virologist at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison who worked on the study.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Dr. John Easley, a Sheboygan County veterinarian and director of research for Fur Council USA, said Wisconsin\u2019s ranchers are in the process of vaccinating about 95% of the state\u2019s captive mink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThe industry\u2019s set up very well to keep the farms biosecure,\u201d Easley said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<h3>Boost for U.S.?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Whelan said he expects production to rebound this year as prices climb. \u201cWe definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel through these numbers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Rhoda-Reis said producers and auction houses are also optimistic and stand to benefit from an end to mink farming in the Netherlands, which historically produced about twice as many pelts as the United States, and a temporary ban in Denmark, the world\u2019s top producer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cMink from the U.S. and specifically from Wisconsin is regarded as a very high-quality product,\u201d he said. \u201cWith fewer producing countries, the U.S. and the state are well positioned to garner a larger share of the global market in this specialized and highly prized export.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row lee-text-row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content\">\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Ross expects some mink ranchers who sat out last year will get back into the business now that global inventories are shrinking and prices rebounding.\u201cIn the middle of this horrible crisis we were OK,\u201d Ross said. \u201cI think mink farming in Wisconsin will be OK.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-collection  p402_hide subscriber-only tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-collection tnt-inline-relation-child tnt-inline-presentation-presentation tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<div id=\"vertical-gallery-57c8c8a7-7752-534c-8793-efee166e7433\" class=\"gallery-vertical\">\n<div id=\"gallery_item_1\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" style=\"color: #4a474b; font-size: 16px;\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=150%2C94 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=200%2C126 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=225%2C141 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=300%2C188 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=400%2C251 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=540%2C339 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=640%2C402 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=750%2C471 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=990%2C622 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C650 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C754 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C838 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C927 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1816%2C1141 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1816\" height=\"1141\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=150%2C94 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=200%2C126 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=225%2C141 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=300%2C188 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=400%2C251 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=540%2C339 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=640%2C402 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=750%2C471 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=990%2C622 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C650 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C754 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C838 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C927 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/d\/53\/d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\/6063a965f1be4.image.jpg?resize=1816%2C1141 2008w\" \/><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">Claudia Manzanilla prepares to grade a batch of mink pelts at Saga Furs&#8217; grading facility in Stoughton. Saga, based in Finland, took over the business this fall from North American Fur Auctions after the 350-year-old Canadian firm entered court-supervised restructuring.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-d53148ae-9e69-5275-abd9-8117254681ee\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_2\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=200%2C134 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=225%2C151 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=300%2C201 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=400%2C268 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=540%2C362 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=640%2C429 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=750%2C502 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=990%2C663 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C693 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C804 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C893 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C988 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1759%2C1178 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1759\" height=\"1178\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=200%2C134 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=225%2C151 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=300%2C201 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=400%2C268 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=540%2C362 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=640%2C429 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=750%2C502 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=990%2C663 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C693 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C804 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C893 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C988 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/2\/cb\/2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\/6063a96ada9a0.image.jpg?resize=1759%2C1178 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Roughly a quarter of the 2 million pelts Saga expects to process this year will come from farms in Wisconsin, the nation&#8217;s top mink producer.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-2cb6484d-a7a5-5d80-9f35-b89412299052\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_3\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=150%2C98 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=200%2C131 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=225%2C147 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=300%2C196 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=400%2C261 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=540%2C353 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=640%2C418 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=750%2C490 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=990%2C646 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C676 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C784 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C870 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C964 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1781%2C1163 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1781\" height=\"1163\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=150%2C98 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=200%2C131 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=225%2C147 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=300%2C196 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=400%2C261 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=540%2C353 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=640%2C418 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=750%2C490 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=990%2C646 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C676 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C784 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C870 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C964 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/dc\/bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\/6063a95f2de13.image.jpg?resize=1781%2C1163 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">A crate of mink pelts awaits grading at Saga Furs&#8217; 80,000-square-foot warehouse in Stoughton.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-bdcce7f2-8c89-5108-b3d3-0d523d1036c4\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_4\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=150%2C91 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=200%2C122 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=225%2C137 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=300%2C183 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=400%2C243 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=540%2C329 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=640%2C390 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=750%2C457 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=990%2C603 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C630 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C730 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C811 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C898 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1845%2C1123 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1845\" height=\"1123\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=150%2C91 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=200%2C122 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=225%2C137 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=300%2C183 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=400%2C243 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=540%2C329 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=640%2C390 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=750%2C457 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=990%2C603 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C630 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C730 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C811 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C898 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/4b\/f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\/6063a9678a531.image.jpg?resize=1845%2C1123 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Fur graders evaluate mink pelts under fluorescent lights at Saga Furs&#8217; Stoughton warehouse. The Finnish auction house took over the business this fall after North American Fur Auctions of Toronto, a business that traces its lineage to the Hudson Bay Co. of 1670, entered bankruptcy proceedings.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-f4b50644-7473-5ab8-be2b-a958c56d5b49\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_5\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=150%2C89 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=200%2C118 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=225%2C133 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=300%2C177 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=400%2C237 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=540%2C319 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=640%2C379 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=750%2C444 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=990%2C586 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C612 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C710 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C789 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C873 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1871%2C1107 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1871\" height=\"1107\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=150%2C89 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=200%2C118 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=225%2C133 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=300%2C177 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=400%2C237 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=540%2C319 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=640%2C379 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=750%2C444 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=990%2C586 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C612 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C710 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C789 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C873 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/8f\/58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\/6063a963f3ab8.image.jpg?resize=1871%2C1107 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Crate of mink pelts await grading at Saga Furs&#8217; 80,000-square-foot warehouse in Stoughton. Saga expects to grade about 2 million pelts, about a quarter of them from Wisconsin, to be sold at auctions in Finland.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-58f5fc7b-be53-56a7-86e1-8c9980ea7898\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_6\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=150%2C96 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=200%2C128 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=225%2C144 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=300%2C193 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C257 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=540%2C347 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=640%2C411 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=750%2C481 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=990%2C636 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C664 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C770 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C856 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C948 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1796%2C1153 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1796\" height=\"1153\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=150%2C96 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=200%2C128 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=225%2C144 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=300%2C193 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C257 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=540%2C347 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=640%2C411 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=750%2C481 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=990%2C636 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C664 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C770 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C856 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C948 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/98\/098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\/6063a95f7d77d.image.jpg?resize=1796%2C1153 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Steve Smies preparing &#8220;show samples&#8221; with a group of mink pelts. Saga Furs &#8212; one of only two other similar-sized fur auction houses &#8212; has taken over the Stoughton offices and will grade and sell them at an international auction later this year The operation was photographed Jan. 7, 2020.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-098374b5-6aa3-591d-9816-d4a6295305c4\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_7\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-vertical letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=150%2C182 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=200%2C243 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=225%2C273 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=300%2C364 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=400%2C485 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=540%2C655 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=640%2C777 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=750%2C910 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1201 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1256 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1456 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=1307%2C1586 1333w\" alt=\"Laughing Cavalier\" width=\"1307\" height=\"1586\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=150%2C182 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=200%2C243 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=225%2C273 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=300%2C364 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=400%2C485 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=540%2C655 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=640%2C777 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=750%2C910 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1201 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1256 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1456 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/46\/546d245c-2e33-583c-9e9a-52ac0c73f4e9\/6063a95edf1c3.image.jpg?resize=1307%2C1586 1333w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">The popularity of hats like the one worn in &#8220;Laughing Cavalier,&#8221; a 1624 portrait by Dutch painter Frans Hals, drove 17th-century explorers into what is now Wisconsin in search of beaver pelts.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_8\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" style=\"color: #4a474b; font-size: 16px;\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=150%2C237 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=200%2C316 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=225%2C356 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=300%2C475 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=400%2C633 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=443%2C701 540w\" alt=\"Beaver hats\" width=\"443\" height=\"701\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=150%2C237 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=200%2C316 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=225%2C356 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=300%2C475 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=400%2C633 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/88\/388008bf-53f8-5b15-b484-d2bf46fa5fa5\/6063a96122b42.image.jpg?resize=443%2C701 540w\" \/><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"photo layout-vertical letterbox-style-default\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">Examples of beaver-skin hat styles popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. European fashion trends fueled robust trade between white settlers and native Americans in what is now Wisconsin, said Robert Birmingham, former state archaeologist.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #1f1a22; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;\">Fur trapping<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"clearfix\">\n<div id=\"gallery_item_9\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=150%2C118 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=200%2C157 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=225%2C177 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=300%2C235 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=400%2C314 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=540%2C424 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=640%2C502 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=750%2C588 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=990%2C777 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C812 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C942 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C1046 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1158 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1625%2C1275 2008w\" alt=\"Fur trapping\" width=\"1625\" height=\"1275\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=150%2C118 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=200%2C157 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=225%2C177 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=300%2C235 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=400%2C314 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=540%2C424 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=640%2C502 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=750%2C588 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=990%2C777 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C812 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C942 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C1046 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1158 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/6c\/36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\/6063a9642404f.image.jpg?resize=1625%2C1275 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Alexander Krueger holds up a mink trapped by Edgar Krueger, right, in this 1913 photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society. While mink farming became a big industry in the 1900s, trapping remained a popular pursuit.\u00a0WHS Image ID:111473<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-36c38404-5e1a-5763-bd61-d8a068c98d9b\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_10\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<h3>Fur trappers<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"photo layout-vertical letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=150%2C191 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=200%2C255 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=225%2C287 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=300%2C383 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=400%2C511 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=540%2C689 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=640%2C817 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=750%2C957 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1264 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1321 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1532 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=1274%2C1626 1333w\" alt=\"Fur trappers\" width=\"1274\" height=\"1626\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=150%2C191 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=200%2C255 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=225%2C287 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=300%2C383 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=400%2C511 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=540%2C689 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=640%2C817 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=750%2C957 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1264 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1321 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1532 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/9f\/69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\/6063a965374bd.image.jpg?resize=1274%2C1626 1333w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">A mink caught in 1913. While mink farming became a big industry in the 1900s, trapping remained a popular pursuit.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-69fef7fd-7359-590f-bf37-f730546499b8\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_11\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=150%2C110 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=200%2C146 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=225%2C164 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=300%2C219 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=400%2C292 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=540%2C395 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=640%2C468 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=750%2C548 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=990%2C724 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C757 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C877 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C974 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1079 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1684%2C1231 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1684\" height=\"1231\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=150%2C110 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=200%2C146 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=225%2C164 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=300%2C219 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=400%2C292 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=540%2C395 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=640%2C468 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=750%2C548 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=990%2C724 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C757 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C877 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C974 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1079 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/6a\/56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\/6063a96cf402a.image.jpg?resize=1684%2C1231 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Brian Balaam, production manager for Saga Furs North America, displays &#8220;show samples&#8221; of mink at Saga&#8217;s grading facility in Stoughton.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-56a51176-9f7f-59b6-ae6e-b823787ed768\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_12\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=150%2C99 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=200%2C132 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=225%2C148 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=300%2C198 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=400%2C264 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=540%2C356 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=640%2C422 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=750%2C494 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=990%2C652 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C682 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C791 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C878 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C972 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1773%2C1168 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1773\" height=\"1168\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=150%2C99 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=200%2C132 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=225%2C148 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=300%2C198 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=400%2C264 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=540%2C356 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=640%2C422 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=750%2C494 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=990%2C652 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C682 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C791 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C878 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C972 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/3\/80\/380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\/6063a96512463.image.jpg?resize=1773%2C1168 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Angie Marsh sorts mink pelts at Saga Furs&#8217; grading facility in Stoughton. Saga, which took over the business this fall from North American Fur Auctions of Toronto, said Wisconsin has a ready workforce of experienced fur graders.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-380fdc28-777b-5762-ac9c-4be2e9e4013b\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_13\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=150%2C95 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=200%2C127 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=225%2C143 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=300%2C190 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=400%2C254 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=540%2C342 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=640%2C406 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=750%2C476 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=990%2C628 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C656 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C761 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C845 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C936 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1807%2C1146 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1807\" height=\"1146\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=150%2C95 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=200%2C127 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=225%2C143 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=300%2C190 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=400%2C254 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=540%2C342 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=640%2C406 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=750%2C476 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=990%2C628 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C656 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C761 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C845 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C936 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/0\/57\/057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\/6063a9658b285.image.jpg?resize=1807%2C1146 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Mink pelts await grading at Saga Furs&#8217; warehouse in Stoughton. Roughly a quarter of the 2 million pelts Saga expects to process this year will come from farms in Wisconsin, the nation&#8217;s top mink producer.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-057647f4-3d12-57ea-8d13-5f8a465e5e33\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_14\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=150%2C99 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=200%2C132 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=225%2C148 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=300%2C198 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=400%2C264 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=540%2C356 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=640%2C422 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=750%2C495 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=990%2C653 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C683 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C792 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C879 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C974 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1772%2C1169 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1772\" height=\"1169\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=150%2C99 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=200%2C132 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=225%2C148 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=300%2C198 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=400%2C264 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=540%2C356 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=640%2C422 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=750%2C495 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=990%2C653 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C683 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C792 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C879 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C974 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/1b\/51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\/6063a95ea5815.image.jpg?resize=1772%2C1169 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Business manager Chris Vaughan shows the nap length on a mink pelt at Saga Furs North America&#8217;s grading facility in Stoughton.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-51b88b8a-0cc0-5d2f-8e4d-19782fe1f33d\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_15\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C888 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C984 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1175 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C888 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C984 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/f\/5a\/f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\/6063a9662b51d.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1175 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Claudia Manzanilla evaluates mink pelts for their nap length at the Saga Fur processing facility in Stoughton. Manzanilla, of Janesville, worked at the facility for 9 years under its previous owner, North American Fur Auctions.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"author--asset-f5a5037f-58ee-5263-800f-a1dbd7f6981f\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\"><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gallery_item_16\" class=\"gallery-item image-item\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal letterbox-style-default\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive full default lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" sizes=\"709px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=150%2C102 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=200%2C135 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=225%2C152 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=300%2C203 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=400%2C271 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=540%2C366 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=640%2C433 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=750%2C508 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=990%2C670 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C701 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C812 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C902 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C999 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1749%2C1184 2008w\" alt=\"Saga Furs\" width=\"1749\" height=\"1184\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=150%2C102 150w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=200%2C135 200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=225%2C152 225w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=300%2C203 300w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=400%2C271 400w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=540%2C366 540w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=640%2C433 640w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=750%2C508 750w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=990%2C670 990w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C701 1035w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C812 1200w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C902 1333w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C999 1476w, https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/madison.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/59\/65959b8c-3e0a-5d6f-875f-71a9f30a89c0\/6063a96382d4e.image.jpg?resize=1749%2C1184 2008w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">Boxes of mink pelts are prepared for shipping at Saga Furs&#8217; 80,000-square-foot warehouse in Stoughton. Saga expects to grade about 2 million pelts, about a quarter of them from Wisconsin, to be sold at auctions in Finland.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chris Hubbuch | Wisconsin State Journal &nbsp; As Wisconsin\u2019s mink production fell to its lowest level in more than half a century, animal rights activists want to shut down the remaining fur farms, which they say could spawn new variants of the COVID-19 virus. But others say the state\u2019s oldest industry is poised for a &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/2021\/08\/01\/wisconsin-mink-production-hits-51-year-low-amid-covid-19-inventory-glut\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11712"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11712"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11714,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11712\/revisions\/11714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}