MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Farmers know how much their cow eats, how much milk it produces, when it’s sick, and so much more. But how does a cow compare to an animal at the zoo - so maybe an elephant for example? We know a cow's diet consists mainly of grain mixed with hay, corn silage and other feeds to create a total mixed ration. But what is the diet of an elephant like? Erin Dowgwillo, Elephant Care Coordinator for Milw...

We’re recognizing farms and homesteads that have been in the family for more than 100 or 150 years. One farm being recognized is the Malinowski Farm. The Malinowski Farm began in 1917 when the Malinowksi's immigrated to the Mosinee to begin a farmstead. Barb Gering shares more about the history of the farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade missions are important opportunities for producers to learn more about how their partners operate while exploring ways to deepen their relationship. Members of the Wisconsin Soybean Association just visited the Port of Halifax in Halifax Nova Scotia to learn about Canadian port infrastructure. Sara Stelter, President of the Wisconsin Soybean Association, was one of the trip participants. She...

Meet the rare dairy breed, Kerry Cows. The Kerry are believed to be one of the oldest dairy breeds, originating from Ireland. One of just two rare Celtic Kerry herds call Grace Acres Farms home. Owner JT Price tells Mid-West Farm Report about the breed. Much of Wisconsin is in a heat advisory, which is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. Make sure you and your animals have lots of water. How d...

World War II, Great Depression, recessions, electricity, rations... these are all historical events in Wisconsin that family farms have lived through. This year, about 100 farms are still in the same family today to tell the story of early life. Jim Mealy, age 95, is the third generation on his family's Century Farm in Racine County. His son and daughter-in-law Bill and Tammy Mealy are operating t...

The challenges in dairy are many. Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, speaks with Bob Bosold about the various issues currently affecting dairy. Those challenges include dumping milk, losing producers, updating the Federal Milk Marketing Orders, and prices.  Madison College is a technical college in Madison that offers an Agricultural Equipment program for stu...

Wisconsin isn't the only dairy state that is adapting to changing consumer trends John Talbot is the CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board and sees this as a challenge in his state. He and the Board are working on product development, marketing, and connecting entrepreneurs to processors. He speaks with Pam Jahnke about how these efforts are unfolding.  The winter wheat harvest is almost wrapp...

Bison once roamed across the state of Wisconsin in large herds. Today there are no wild bison in Wisconsin and domestic bison far outnumber wild bison across the country. Pat Ries is a bison producer and board member for the Wisconsin Bison Producers Association. He shares the in's and out's of bison production in Wisconsin and what goes into raising bison.  Bob Nack, big game specialist with the...

Listen in as Pam Jahnke talks with Dr. Rebecca Klopp, Calf and Heifer Specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition. Dr. Klopp discusses the importance of calf nutrition and management, and the long term impact it can have on the productivity of the herd.  Research has shown that early calf care and nutrition are the foundation for and can significantly impact the future growth, potential milk production...

A project is underway across the upper Midwest that is trying to make farming more profitable by bringing livestock back into cropping systems. The three-year project is called Match Made in Heaven: Livestock & Crops. Their goal is to boost soil health and the farm's bottom line. Match Made in Heaven is in its second phase, which is surveying farmers about what works and what doesn’t when it c...

Jackie Fett, executive Director of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin joins Mid-West Farm Report to give an update on this specialty crop and how the overseas market is doing. Chris Pedretti, Section Supervisor with Wisconsin State Parks, says the OutWiGo initiative is designed to encourage people to rediscover the outdoors. He explains more about this initiative and how numbers are looking at state p...

The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Wisconsin has been active since 2021. The organization seeks to connect veterans who are interested in becoming involved in agriculture with resources to get started as well as networking opportunities with other veterans. Sarah Cope, Vice President of the Coalition, speaks to what the organization is currently doing to attract and support members as well as the org...

Wisconsin is well-known for its vast natural resources and scenic beauty. The state is home to many state parks, state forests, and natural areas that offer a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.  The Out We Go initiative is a program designed to encourage people to get out and enjoy all that Wisconsin has to offer. The program aims to inc...

Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their launch of a partnership with bipartisan attorneys general to review competition in food and agricultural markets. He tells Pam Jahnke that the new partnership will assist state attorneys general in tackling anti-competitive market structures in agriculture and related industries that are raising prices and lim...

The United States Department of Agriculture is is reviewing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders on August 23rd in Indiana. Organic Valley, located in Wisconsin, wants to be exempted from the orders. They represent 174 organic dairy farmers in 24 states that are pushing for the exemption. Adam Warthesen, is the Senior Director of Government and Industry Affairs for Organic Valley. He shares  Sandhill...

Madison College is a large technical college serving the Madison area and beyond. Ron Olson is the Dean for the School of Technologies and Trades which oversees the Agricultural Equipment program. With the campus being located right in Madison, Ron explains that there are challenges in providing a hands-on education to students about work that should be taking place in a field since there aren't a...

The Wisconsin State Fair is full of opportunities to learn about Wisconsin agriculture. Dairy Lane is one area where fairgoers of all ages can learn about Wisconsin’s vibrant dairy industry. From learning about cheesemaking to how farmers care for their cattle, there is something for everyone.   Nicole Barlass, President of the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board shares more about the Dairy...

Don't gift a jar of pickles with a side of food poisoning. In the midst of canning season, there are a couple trends that have food safety specialists concerned. La Crosse County Extension Specialist Heather Quackenboss says make sure you are using the correct vinegar in your recipe to prevent botulism. In other food preservation trends, Quackenboss says while social media can be a blessing to fin...

The Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction happened Thursday at State Fair Park in West Allis. Stephanie Hoff was there as they announced Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese as Grand Master Cheesemaker for a second year in a row. Stephanie visits with Dairy Lane Coordinator, Ann Schulz, about auction results and what it takes to put it all together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know Wisconsin is the third largest producer of potatoes in the country? And that a potato has more potassium than a banana? The Wisconsin potato industry is alive and thriving, especially during the eleven days of the Wisconsin State Fair. Jody Baginski, board member of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary and coordinator of the baked potato booth shared more information about the baked...

The Wisconsin State Fair is known for many things, but one stand that has stood the test of time is the Pork Shoppe. Pork producers were one of the few commodity programs that first brought their products to the state fair. Kerri Retallick, Executive Vice President of the Wisconsin Pork Association says they started with the butterfly chop and that remains their number one seller yet today. She ex...

Veraison, the term for grape ripening, is underway in Wisconsin for some wine grape varieties. And growers are starting to test the grapes on the vine to make sure they’re harvested at just the right time. Aimee Arrigoni is the vineyard manager at Bailey’s Run Vineyard in New Glarus. She says there’s definitely science at play when it comes to growing wine grapes and testing them for the correct a...

Apple orchards are such a treat during a Wisconsin fall – enjoy the fruit dunked in caramel, put in a pie or just right off the tree. But some apple orchards in Wisconsin are producing apples for a different treat – for adults only. Hard cider! Deirdre Birmingham owns The Cider Farm in Mineral Point. And she grows one-of-a-kind varieties to make hard ciders. She says this unique agriculture ventur...

Compeer Financial announced the return of $150 million in patronage payments to eligible member-owners this August. This marks a significant milestone as the cooperative celebrates reaching $1 billion in patronage returns since its formation in 2017.   “This remarkable achievement of reaching $1 billion in patronage returns reflects our unwavering dedication to sharing Compeer’s success with our v...

No - your eyes aren't seeing things.  That really is the world's largest potato masher planted right there on the front corner of the soon-to-be-open Food and Farm Exploration Center, just off I-39 in the community of Plover. Pam Jahnke got a tour, and an excellent update on the project from executive director, Andy Reitz.  From it's 3 culinary kitchens, to it's interactive field driving experienc...