MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Dairy automation combines technology and automated systems in dairy farming to enhance efficiency, productivity and animal welfare.  It's the first of it's kind anywhere in Wisconsin and will begin this fall at Fox Valley Technical College. Pam Jahnke chats with the chair of the FVTC agriculture department, Dr. Sara Lloyd-Mills, about how the course will operate.  Despite curriculum designed to he...

We're in the home stretch of the Wisconsin State Fair at State Fair Park in West Allis.  One common denominator that brings people in is the food.  Charitee Seebecker visits with a few of the food vendors featured in this year's Sporkie and Drinkie contest. Last night's Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction brought in a near record $403,150.  Nate Zimdars was there and witnessed it all.  He tal...

As we approach the new crop corn harvest, stored corn supply from last year gets tighter. And farmers may be holding on to it until they see the right price. This is the environment that ethanol producers are navigating through as they work to keep their plants stocked with corn. Howard Boppart is the grain merchandiser with Marquis Energy. His job is to make sure the ethanol plant has corn. He's...

The word from south central Wisconsin Is that the wheat crop is looking good. It's the fall harvest that has folks more nervous. Pat Duffy is the merchandiser at Duffy Grain, serving about 400 farms around Columbus, Wisconsin. He’s gearing up for the corn and soybean harvest. Today, his farmer customers are about wrapped up with the wheat harvest. He says he’s happy about the quantity that’s comin...

The New Berlin Lions Club has been serving fresh roasted corn at the Wisconsin State Fair since 1959 and all of the corn is brought in fresh every evening. The Lions Club goes through about 100,000 ears of corn throughout the fair. Dave Abstetar, Director for the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, says it takes a village to make this possible. The corn is served by volunteer organizations from various hi...

Bill Halfmen, UW Extension's Beef outreach specialist provides advice for how to care for your pastures in the drought. He says to be extra cautious with your grazing methods to prevent overgrazing. Steffes Auction is full speed ahead as they have 50 auctions yet in August and another 52 set for September. They will have a lot of late model equipment for sale preharvest. Ashley Huhn with Steffes A...

The cream puff is a staple at the Wisconsin State Fair. It has been served at the State Fair for 99 years. Colton Grebe and his family run the Cream Puff Pavilion at the State Fair. He shares what goes into making a cream puff, the history of this delicious snack, and how many cream puffs are sold every year at the Fair. Charitee Seebecker talks with Jen Puente, Chief Marketing Officer for the Wis...

Wisconsin is a major player in the United States potato market. Wisconsin is ranked 3rd in the nation for shipping fresh potatoes and total potato production. This year, Potatoes USA is holding their annual conference in Milwaukee. Mark Klompien is the President and CEO of the United Potato Growers of America and was in attendance at the conference. He shares the impact Wisconsin has on the nation...

If you've ever enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich or a chocolate shake from the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the State Fair, then you’ve helped make an impact in dairy education. The Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board raises funds during the fair and it all goes back into giving fairgoers an agricultural experience. Ann Schulz is the coordinator for the Dairy Promotion Board. She says the...

The Mid-West Farm Report is honoring family farm and homesteads that have been a part of Wisconsin’s landscape for more than 100 or 150 years. These stories are brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial. One of the families celebrating a Sesquicentennial Award from the state of Wisconsin belongs to Charles Larsen. His Brown County farm has a long history of tradition, both in farming and servin...

The McNeill Farm has been in the McNeill family for 3 generations. John McNeill shares that a significant part of what makes this farm unique is it's location in the heart of the Brule River State Natural Area in Douglas County. The farm is about 2 miles south of Lake Superior. The McNeill family began by logging in the area and eventually turned to cash crops and milking cows.  See omnystudio.com...

Each fall, thousands of Wisconsin residents head outdoors with hopes of successfully outsmarting and capturing their prey. Wisconsin trappers often find themselves trying to ensnare nearly 10 different species of animal, from beavers to foxes and raccoons. The Wisconsin Trappers Association is dedicated to educating the public about how and why they trap. Allen Nickel, trappers education instructo...

Keeping a farm or homestead in the family for more than 100 or 150 years is truly a great accomplishment. On Tuesday August 8, families that have done just that will get together at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis for a celebratory breakfast. Jill Albanese with the Wisconsin State Fair Park shares more about the Century and Sesquicentennial Farm Program and what recipients can expect for Tu...

The Koss Farm has been in the Koss family for 3 generations. Tony Koss shares that the farm was purchased by his grandparents in 1923 as they were making their way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to farm. Instead, they discovered and purchased a beautiful farm in Deerbrook which is just north of Antigo. It originally began as a potato and dairy farm before becoming exclusively dairy. Tony sold...

There are a lot of options to make your dollar go further at the Wisconsin State Fair. The WI State Fair Park Foundation is known for the Milk House, selling four unique flavors of milk this year (including root beer -- a top seller). But for the first time, the Milk House is where you can sink your teeth into the Blue Ribbon Brownie. If adults are looking for something stronger, the new Charity B...

County fair season is in full swing. There have been over a dozen counties that have already had their county fair and we are not even half way through county fair season. Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, Jayme Buttke, speaks about how county fair season is progressing in addition to some legislative conversations at the State Capitol that will have an impact on county fai...

The Wisconsin State Fair is celebrating 10 years of The Sporkies. This is the food competition that’s created hundreds of delicious and very unique dishes throughout the past decade. To celebrate the 10 years of The Sporkies competition, the state fair added a new competition called The Drinkies. This is a beverage competition showcasing the best of the non-alcoholic drink category. One of the Dri...

The Wisconsin State Fair is celebrating 10 years of The Sporkies. This is the food competition that’s created hundreds of delicious and very unique dishes throughout the past decade. The winner of this year’s Sporkies contest was the Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cake from WürstBar. This is a savory take on a sweet classic, the Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cake sums up Wisconsin in one bite. Andrew Fro...

It’s the 10th anniversary of the Sporkie Competition at the Wisconsin State Fair. This is the food competition that has introduced delicious and sometimes wacky dishes over the last decade. To celebrate, they added a new twist – the Drinkies! This is a beverage competition showcasing the best of the non-alcoholic drink category. Tropics is one of vendors that took a chance with their own drinkie,...

This year, the Wisconsin State Fair is celebrating 10 years of The Sporkies. This is the food competition that’s created hundreds of delicious and very unique dishes throughout the past decade. One of the finalists this year in The Sporkies competition is the Sweet & Savory Funnel Cake Fries. You can find these at the Bud Pavilion. Leanne Hock and her family have owned the Bud Pavilion at Wisc...

Wisconsin joins 31 other state attorney generals in an effort to bolster competition in food and agricultural business.  Pam Jahnke talks with Wisconsin Attorney General, Josh Kaul, about the new coalition that also involves USDA. The WI State Fair begins today in West Allis.  Visitors will stream onto the grounds but may not pay attention to the beautiful flowers, displays and rest areas that hav...

The Wisconsin State Fair is about to commence and there's a lot of new elements to take in.  Charitee Seebecker gets the latest update from Jen Puentes, Chief Marketing Officer for the WI State Fair.  Daily deals, food specials and new free shows top off their conversation. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group explains the focus they're putting on Wisconsin this month with a special consignment sale...

Marilyn’s husband’s grandfather, Louis Bollinger bought the farm in October of 1923. He and his wife Della raised cows, pigs, chickens, and had a large garden. They also grew alfalfa, oats, corn, and soybeans. Twelve acres of the Bollinger farm was and still is an island on the Mississippi River. Louis and Della sold the farm to their son, Merlin, and his wife, Verna. Merlin and Verna transitioned...

The Wisconsin State Fair provides the opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to participate in competitive exhibits at the fair. These exhibits can range from photography to culinary arts, floral arrangements, or even homemade beer and wine. Jill Albanese is the Executive Director of Competitive Exhibits at the State Fair. She shares more about the competitions offered and the par...

New legislation passed, designed to provide more benefits for the nation's veterans is turning into a ripe opportunities for scammers. Pam Jahnke visits with Courtney Anclam, Senior Program Specialist with Veterans & Military Families and Fraud Prevention at AARP of Wisconsin. For years, AARP has tried to focus resources in one place to help veterans, active-military and their families find th...