MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears discusses new funding opportunities to help Wisconsin expand small meat processing operations and train additional workers for careers in meat processing.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers play a crucial role in keeping our natural resources, like our water and soil, healthy. And the folks at the Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference know the importance of keeping farmers at the forefront of that conversation. Laura Paletta, a co-chair for the conference, sits down with Kiley Allan. She says we can expect some exciting speaker panels that feature almost exclusively...

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus is otherwise known to the pork industry as PEDv. Because of the effect it can have on producers' herds, it was an obvious decision for the Wisconsin Pork Association and the National Pork Board to begin working towards elimination of the virus. Morgan Worek, a pork producer here in Wisconsin and Program Director for the Wisconsin Pork Association, joins Kiley Allan...

When you say giant pumpkin - we're talking GIANT pumpkin!  Kiley Allan visits with a man whose entire goal has been to raise a 2,000 pound pumpkin.  His name is Brian Turner.  He's been growing giant pumpkins for the last 6 years. After  four years of aiming for a 2,000-pound pumpkin, Bryan Turner achieved a 2,069-pound pumpkin at the Stillwater Harvest Fest, exceeding his...

Family traditions look a little bit different for everybody. For Olivia Jennrich, her family's tradition is a love for Guernsey cattle. She carries that tradition on now serving as the National Guernsey Queen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Mid-West Farm Report, Wisconsin Farm Bureau's Jason Mugnaini says farmers have many questions about USDA's newly-announced relief program for high diesel prices, and Bryce Windecker with EA Risk discusses what has milk, cheese, and butter prices going down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's cheese industry is known for its craftsmanship, but the people behind the cheese have something else to share: knowledge. Teri Barr talked with Master Cheesemaker Bob Wills during a recent open house at Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain. The celebration -- of award-winning cheese made from both sheep's and cow's milk -- also gave Wills the opportunity to share how a culture of collaboration...

During harvest season, farmers work long hours and rely heavily on their equipment, which can strain resources. FOCUS ON ENERGY® rebates make it more affordable to install energy-efficient equipment, helping farmers get reliable systems that use less energy and keep costs down when work is busiest. This is also a good time to start planning for next year. As farmers assess their operations, th...

Wisconsin has 17 million acres of public and private forested land that provides raw material to the forest products industry.  That's a lot of timber!  You might be surprised how it gets used.  Contrary to popular belief, Wisconsin lumber is not just about 2X4's.  Logan Wells, program director at the Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo tells Pam Jahnke all about it....

Wisconsin dairy depends on international trade to keep margins healthy.  That's been difficult with tariffs and trade sanctions impacting global partners.  Bob Bosold gets some details from Leonard Polzin, UW-Extensin Dairy Economist at UW-River Falls.  Polzin says the numbers don't lie on the business Wisconsin dairy has lost. More beautiful weather again today after we get through...

Darin Von Ruden is a farmer in the southwestern part of Wisconsin near Westby. His immediate question is whether the $8 billion program will provide meaningful assistance. "The announcement leaves a larger concern unresolved -- whether short-term payments can adequately offset rising production and transportation expenses," Von Ruden said. He tells Teri Barr the impact reaches beyond the farm gate...

Ken Rosenow farms corn and soybeans near Oconomowoc. With a keen ear to his fellow farmers, Rosenow knows the impact the Harvest Fuel Relief Program could make in Wisconsin. He give Larry Lee the insight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's good news coming out of South Central Wisconsin. Corn moisture levels may not be as high as some people think. Cooper Humphrey joins Kiley Allan. He's the district sales manager with Wyffels for Columbia, Dodge, and Jefferson Counties. He gives us a harvest update and says spirits are high. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no surprise to people living in rural communities that fall is a busy time of year for farmers, and in turn, we see more agricultural and field equipment on the roadways. Kory Schultz joins us. He's an inspector with the Wisconsin State Patrol. He has a few safety tips and tricks for both our farmers and civilians on the roadways. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the leaves in the crops are turning color in the fall, our lawns are some of the last things to lose their vibrant green hue. Although it seems counterintuitive, the way we care for our lawns at this time of year greatly affects their health come next spring and summer. Doug Soldat joins me. He's a professor and extension turfgrass specialist at UW-Madison. He reflects on a difficult growing...

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Wisconsin farmers, processors, transporters, and the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council recently hosted potential corn and corn product buyers from Thailand, and Wisconsin farmer and Corn Promotion Board President Casey Kelliher discusses the tour and why meeting with potential buyers is important for Wisconsin growers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin depends on exports to keep our dairy engine chugging.  Bob Bosold visits with Chad Vincent.  Vincent is not only the President and CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, he is also a member of the WI Ag Export Council.  It was established in 2021 to try and put all Wisconsin commodities at the front of business development globally.  It uses $5 million of state funds to g...

There are mixed views on how to store potatoes, onions, and some other vegetable crops.  Rod Gumz with Gumz Farms near Endeavor, Wisconsin shares how they keep the product ready to ship all winter plus an update on harvesting, labor, fuel, and over 100 years of growing mint.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story begins back in 1986, when Boston Red Sox fan Barry Levenson found himself completely crushed following his team's heartbreaking loss to the New York Mets in the World Series. Consequently, while wandering aimlessly down the aisles of a Woodman's supermarket late at night with tears rolling down his cheeks, Levenson unexpectedly found solace in the condiment section. As Ken Zuckerman&mdas...

When the combines have wrapped up the harvest, the real work of marketing all that grain starts to unfold.  Regardless of where it's going, a lot of that grain will travel the Mississippi River.  Kiley Allan catches up with Captain Jimmy "JRock" Cheatam, Hines Furlong Line Inc.  He makes trips up and down the Mississippi daily.  He says recent rains have temporarily r...

What do corn mazes, bumblebees, comedy, and Wisconsin farming have in common? SCIENCE! The Wisconsin Science Festival is underway, and you don't need a lab coat to join the fun. Festival Director Samantha Mulrooney and Organizer Francesca Long tell Teri Barr how more than 800 events connect agriculture, nature, and everyday life with science -- in communities across the state. The Wisconsin Scienc...