MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

As spring field chores continue around Wisconsin, paying respect to the size and power of that equipment is critical.  Stephanie Hoff focuses in on tractor safety training available around the state to help first time operators get prepared before they're behind the wheel. Next week dairy voices will gather together to focus on risk management tools available and revisions under the next Farm Bill...

There's another agribusiness merger in the works in Wisconsin.  Bob Bosold talks to Rob Larson who will be the CEO when Allied Coop and Provision Partners join forces as one in October. June Dairy Celebrations are about more than just food and fun - it's about consumer education too.  Sydney Flick is the coordinator for Cows on the Concourse, an annual event in downtown Madison on the Capitol Squa...

Red LED light therapy can be beneficial for humans, but how about for cows? Well experiments with both red and blue LED lights are being tested at Roden Echo Valley dairy farm in West Bend.  Owner Rick Roden says they have been testing these lights for the past two years to see if they can improve milk production and kill bacteria in bedding areas. Roden provides more insight into how this researc...

Bears are on the move! Recent bear sightings near Madison and Milwaukee beg the question - are bears moving south to stay or are they just wandering through? Randy Johnson, large carnivore specialist with the Wisconsin DNR, shares insight on black bear population trends and the impact they will continue to have as they interact with people more frequently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

75th Alice in Dairyland Taylor Schaefer comes in-studio with all the best ways you can take part in National Dairy Month this June. We both agree dairy breakfasts are a must -- you can find a breakfast on the farm near you at wisconsindairy.org. But she emphasizes that dairy is a nutritious product that you can use year-round. She likes charcuterie to-go cups to compliment a busy schedule. Schaefe...

So far so good - that’s the message from a Poynette berry grower even after the spring has been touch and go with the weather. She predicts the berry crop will be good this year, as long as there is the right amount of moisture. Julie Schoeneberg owns and operates Creek Bed Country Farmacy and says that you-pick berry operations grew in popularity during the pandemic, because they were a great way...

Between the development of the 2023 Farm Bill and the process for reforming the Federal Milk Marketing Orders, the dairy industry has a lot to keep tabs on. Jeff Lyon is the general manager of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative which has more than 3,200 members across seven states in the Midwest. He’s heading to Washington D.C. next week as a member of the National Milk Producers Federation board. Part o...

When people think of Wisconsin agriculture they typically think of dairy and crops yet with our state being home to over 10,000 lakes and with shoreline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, it should come as no surprise that fishing is a rich part of our state's agricultural identity. I’m speaking with Gabe Salm of Salm Salmon Charters in Sheboygan. He has been fishing the waters of Lake Michigan f...

Cattle "Rustling" is something we think about from decades ago, but given the high value of cattle today - it's back in play.  Pam Jahnke visits with Jara Settles, Chief Counsel with the Livestock Marketing Association, explains what's happening with cattle thefts and how producers can protect themselves. Nate Zimdars is following the budget process at the state house and how it could impact rural...

In 75 years of making sausage, you can probably imagine that the process has changed. Product innovation, new equipment, larger spaces… but some things don’t change. For Wenzel’s Farm in central Wisconsin, that has been the family recipe and the importance of crafting a quality product. This is the word from Mark Vieth, the president of Wenzel’s Farm in Marshfield. They are celebrating 75 years of...

Weather might be hot and dry today, but about a month ago it was just the opposite.  Phillipe Coquard can tell you all about it.  He's the owner/operator of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac where the cool weather cost him 80% of his grape crop.  He explains the cost and consequences to Charitee Seebecker. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group reminiscences about the history of how the Steffes Gro...

Republican lawmakers introduced a bill this session to allow consumers to access community solar in Wisconsin. Community solar allows people to subscribe to a portion of a solar project and get credit on their electricity bill for the power produced. Community solar projects can be located almost anywhere and are often placed on small parcels of under-utilized farmland. They are an alternative to...

Nathan Bula from Spears-R-Us in Adams has been dealing with some challenging weather patterns this growing season. Asparagus prefers hot weather, especially during the nights, and the fifty or so degrees we’ve had at night isn’t helping. Bula says their crowns are becoming of age which makes them yield lacking. However, they are replanting new crowns this spring and still have a decent average cro...

Wisconsin is seeing high fire danger after an extended period of dry weather, warm temperatures, very low relative humidity and wind. Much of the state has not had any rain in the past 10 days, says wildfire prevention specialist Catherine Koele. The DNR and local fire departments responded to over 90 wildfires in the last week, burning an estimated 30 acres. Fortunately, annual green-up progresse...

Tractor safety courses are an important part of the summer for youth and adults who will be operating any machinery whether it's on the farm or in the yard. It’s also an important lesson for teens that will soon be getting their driver's licenses and sharing the road with implements. These are all points emphasized by Steve Okonek, the county agriculture agent for Jackson and Trempealeau counties....

Tulips - not a commercial crop you typically expect in Wisconsin, but one woman in western Wisconsin is giving it a shot!  Bob Bosold visits with Jodi Wilhelm about her plans. June dairy celebrations have officially kicked off across the state.  Wisconsin Dells is known for waterparks and ducks, but this Saturday they're going to try and pivot attention to the state's agriculture.  Charitee Seebec...

The Wisconsin Dells FFA Alumni & Supporters are hosting a Farm to Fork Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, June 3rd from 8am to 12pm. There will be farm tours, animals,and activities for the kids and adults alike. Chris Davis, Wisconsin Dells FFA Alumni Member says this breakfast highlights community businesses and Wisconsin agriculture. He explains more about how they're working to connect cons...

When the heat and humidity returns to Wisconsin next week, plenty of people will turn to air conditioning and fans - including Wisconsin farmers.  Stephanie Hoff visits with Master Electrician, Aaron Robarge, about evaluating your electrical system and considering maintenance before you flip that switch. Cristelle Geudot, UW-Extension Fruit Entomologist has confirmed reports of thrip in Wisconsin...

Although often thought of as a fruit, rhubarb is in fact a vegetable. Fresh rhubarb is available in Wisconsin from May through late June and thanks to the fluctuating spring weather we’ve had, some growers are a little behind. Kathy Bures, owner of Bures Berry Patch in Barneveld, says they are a week behind compared to where they were last year. However they are in peak rhubarb season and things a...

The Wisconsin Farmers Union's Kamp Kenwood has a new director.  Jill Welke visits with Grace Clardy who's just beginning a busy season offering programming at Kamp Kenwood north of Chippewa Falls. Wisconsin's milk haulers made their voices heard this week in support of increased state funding for improvements on the state's rural roadways and bridges.  Nate Zimdars chats with Jerry Schroeder, chai...

May is mental health month and that encompasses the farming community too.  Sue Springer has personally witnessed the devastating impact ignoring mental health challenges can have on families.  Today she helps educate people on the signs of mental health challenges and distributes information about available resources as  founder of Suicide Prevention Southwest Wisconsin.  Charitee Seebecker visit...

Funding for roads has been a hot topic at the State Capitol for decades. A proposed bill called the Agricultural Roads Improvement Grant Program would provide one time funding of 150 million dollars to update rural roads. The proposal has received significant support from legislators, rural government organizations, and agricultural groups. One of the supportive farmers in attendance was Arch Mort...

Not everyone would drive over 3 hours to spend a beautiful spring day inside the Capitol waiting to offer several minutes worth of testimony to state legislators, yet that was exactly what Jerry Schroeder did on Tuesday. Schroeder serves as the Chair of the Wisconsin Milk Haulers Association (WMHA) and also has his own milk hauling business that he operates with his family. WMHA was founded in 195...

When you hear about the Dairy Innovation Hub, you might think of research about manure management or improving dairy products but funding from the hub covers so much more. Dr Claudine Pied is a professor at UW Platteville in the Criminal Justice and Social Science department. Her research covers a different aspect of dairy farming, the change in community as land use is altered.  See omnystudio.co...

It's not unusual for a winery to lose a portion of their crop; usually, they can expect a loss of 10-20% each year. But after wildly fluctuating temperatures this spring, Philippe Coquard of Wollersheim Winery says they have lost much more. Coquard says, no wine sales will be affected this year, as the harvest is done one year ahead of time. But next year there won’t be any of their estate wines a...