MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Over the past few years, drones have been used more frequently in agriculture. A growing number of farmers are now using drones to spray crops and monitor overall crop health. Andrew Tucker of Agrispray Drones shares that drone technology isn't going away anytime soon. The drones he works with are able to help farmers spray hard to reach fields and assist when manpower is needed elsewhere See omny...

Agricultural equipment has changed in many ways over the years. From using horses to having automated technology and GPS systems, farmers are innovative. Nathan Pierce of Cumberland owns a 1919 Wisconsin tractor that was built in Sauk City. This is one of only 15 left of its kind in existence. Pierce says this is just one thing that makes this tractor so unique.  “It's a 1632 which means it had 16...

Ron Bula is a retired farmer who runs a family farm of about 168 acres in Baraboo. Bula’s Pleasant Valley Farm is very diverse and specializes in grass-fed beef, lamb, pasteurized broilers and eggs, Berkshire pork, maple syrup, honey, and organically raised vegetables. The farm is run by Ron, his wife Maureen, and their children Patrick and Justine.  Just like many others, they have been affected...

There are countless programs for young agriculturalists to become involved in. Many programs have opportunities for individuals to highlight their farms or career. One of those programs is the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer Program. Cindy Matton serves on the programs committee. She shares the goal of the program, who is eligible, and what comes with being recognized as Wisconsin's Outstanding...

Aerial application, has been a growing industry in Wisconsin for the past 25 years. The industry has evolved from using radial engine airplanes to using turbine-powered airplanes that are designed and built specifically for aerial application. Jim Perrin, owner of Agricair Flying Service provides a firsthand look into how the aerial application industry is doing.  “The majority of our business her...

Several hundred head of cattle are grazed on the over 500 hundred acres of land that is Laukant Farms. Connor Laukant raises his own herd of Red Angus and also custom grazes cattle for other farmers on the farm outside of Rock Springs. Drought conditions are forcing Laukant to stretch his grass and return the custom grazed cattle sooner than normal.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Could you hang off the side of a horse by one leg as it’s running full speed? Well two twelve year old girls can do that and much more. Maddy Gatrel and Liberty Cunningham are the Pegasus Riders and compete in trick riding competitions across the U.S. They share some insight into their life of how they learned to do this and what these tricks look like. Trick riding is the act of performing stunts...

Board member, Steve Wilkin from Random Lake, joins Pam Jahnke on this edition of podtalk, brought to you courtesy of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. Wilkin brings a unique perspective to the board as not only a soybean producer himself, but also an industry representative.  Wilkin says that in both roles, he's always evaluating the return on investment.  Whether it's a field practice or var...

The 56th World Dairy Expo will be here before you know it. And recently it was made official that the global dairy show will stay in Madison for the foreseeable future. Some of the reasons that Dane County and World Dairy Expo decided on a 5-year contract to remain at the Alliant Energy center were economic value and travel logistics. But for other stakeholders… it’s about family. Bryan Voegeli of...

It's that time of year when potato growers need to watch out for things like blight on their crop.  It can rob them of a year's worth of hard work.  Nate Zimdars visits with Wisconsin potato grower, Don Maum, about how the crops sizing up and what consumers need to know. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days wraps up today outside of Baraboo.  Although the emphasis at the show is on machinery and technol...

Wisconsin was one of the main attractions for a South Korean feed miller trade team. Tanner Johnson opened AB Farms in Dallas, WI to seven South Korean feed mill executives so they could see how soybeans are grown first-hand. This trade mission was put on by the U.S. Soybean Export Council. Ashley Huhn with The Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke about the history of the company and how it drives their...

Wisconsin and many other states are dealing with a situation where unemployment is at all-time lows, but businesses are starving for employees. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek says we're in this situation because of trends that have been decades in the making -- low birth rates and retiring 'Boomers'. The state has several programs in place to build and retain its own wo...

Gov. Tony Evers speaks to one of the unique qualities of the show – that it’s in a new place every year, and why that’s significant. Whether it’s at the town hall or the state Capitol, the conversation over the need for broadband continues. The recently passed state budget does put more money toward high-speed internet expansion in rural Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers says the state is off to a go...

Since the state budget passed earlier this month, farm groups have been marking it as a good budget for farmers. Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski echoes that sentiment. He says the big wins were investments in farmer mental health, meat and dairy processing, conservation, and international exports. Romanski tells Mid-West Farm Report when farmers wi...

As the former Wisconsin and American Honey Queen, Hannah Sjostrom is used to getting questions about bees. And she certainly welcomes those questions as she tries to grow interest in beekeeping. Hannah is also working on an expansion plan for her beekeeping business. Her family’s third-generation apiary in Maiden Rock is called Honey Hill Apiary. She's working to grow the 300 hives into a full-tim...

Jeff Luer tells the story of his family’s century farm in Dunn County.  In 1900, the original farmstead of 80 acres was purchased by Art and Sara. In 1925 Art passed and Sara and her 8 kids kept the farm going through the depression and World War 2. They separated and sold cream, had crops, and raised pigs. Today the farm is run by Jeff Luer and his wife Sara. He notes that it is truly the women i...

The general public's paying more and more attention to pollinators like bees. How's 2023 treating our bee population?  Jill Welke visits with Jon Logterman from Logterman Honey in Osseo.  He's the past president of the WI Honey Producers Association. When you think about agriculture exports from Wisconsin, you probably don't think timber and lumber.  Well that's changing thanks to a recent group o...

Agrivoltaics is the use of land for both agriculture and solar power. It’s not a new concept, but it is something that is on the minds of UW-Extension. UW–Madison is working with Alliant Energy to plan a solar and agrivoltaics project at the UW-Kegonsa Research Campus near Stoughton. Will Fulwider, Regional Crops Educator with UW Extension, says this project would generate enough clean energy to p...

Freight rail plays an essential role in moving agricultural goods across the country. Over 2 million tons of agricultural commodities with a value of 290 million dollars are moved by rail and that is expected to almost double by 2050. Lisa Stern is the Wisconsin Department of Transportations Chief of Harbors and Rail. She provides insight on how Wisconsin rail operates and the challenges facing it...

Last year, Farmers Grain & Feed in Allenton was only using 20 percent of its cotton seed capacity. This year, that’s picking up as dairy farmers look for alternative feed ingredients to stretch forage supplies. The feed mill is going on its second year of operation. The state-of-the-art mill has the capacity to store 15-18 loads of cotton seed on -site. General manager Glenn Schellinger says c...

Forestry is a big deal in Wisconsin. If we look at the dollars generated, the forest products industry ranks No. 2 in the state at nearly $24.5 billion, according to the DNR. But it’s not just the economic value that turns heads. The quality of the state's timber catches the attention of buyers overseas. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently hosted an international...

Sherman Wogsland shares the story of his family farm in Waupaca County. They will be receiving the Century award this year. In 1906 the original farmstead of 45 acres was purchased. They grew potatoes and had a custom thrashing business for many years. Today the farm is run by Sherman Woglsand where he milks 26 cows and farms 120 acres.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farmers Union is in the midst of renovating a historic building in downtown Chippewa Falls. It’ll not only be their new headquarters, but a community space. This building project started a year and a half ago when Farmers Union bought the building. Jackie Boos is the WFU facilities director. Once completed, she says it’ll have a food hall, meeting spaces and apartments. The project, Mark...

If you're planning a wedding or other event this summer, or would just like to send someone flowers to make them smile, Wisconsin's florists are here to help!  But you might need to plan ahead and be willing to be flexible, says Nichole Campell, President of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Florists Association and owner of Pedal Pushers floral shop in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  The floral industry in...

World Dairy Expo and Dane County put the pen to paper this week. They agreed to keep the show at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison for the foreseeable future. Laura Herschleb, the general manager of the global dairy show, tells Mid-West Farm Report more of the details of the five-year contract. She also previews the 2023 show. But first, Herschleb says it's exciting to be staying in the Capitol...