MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Area Extension Director Jason Hausler overviews the 'reorganization' plan that's been ongoing since 2015. He says Extension is in much better shape today than when they started changing the structure. This conversation comes as folks prepare for county fair season and the ag education elements that Extension plays a role in. The Fertilizer Institute is asking lawmakers to update transportation inf...

Not only is this the busiest time of year for ag retailers as they get their farm customers ready to plant, but the Agricultural Retailers Association is also balancing a lot of moving parts in D.C. when it comes to farm policy. Hunter Carpenter is ARA's director of public policy. He talks to Mid-West Farm Report about how the supply chain, energy independence legislation and the debt ceiling can...

It’s that time of year where folks are getting into their gardens, farmers are getting into their fields, and communities are utilizing agriculture to feed families. Jen Falck is the Wisconsin Partnership Program Coordinator for the Menominee Tribe’s Department of Agriculture and Food Systems. The tribe has several food security initiatives in place that focus on local production agriculture. Jen...

May kicks of primary health care season for Family Health La Clinica and its mobile health unit. Communications lead Felicia Rodriguez encourages farms and agribusinesses of any size with migrant workers to reach out for a health visit. You can call them at 920-787-9434 or 800-942-5330 or www.famhealth.org .    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we were able to enjoy some warm weather recently, spending time outside also brought more risk of coming into contact with ticks and mosquitoes. PJ Liesch, state entomologist, says last year's tick and mosquito populations were a bit more subdued but when it comes to determining what we’ll be seeing this year, it all comes down to weather. Potato planting is now 13 percent finished, which is...

Despite high input costs and uncertain world markets, farm land values in Wisconsin remain very strong.  Pam Jahnke talks with Mike Morris, Vice President of Appraisal for Compeer Financial about their benchmark values for land in Wisconsin and what trends he's noticing. Morris also discusses what's motivating people to consider parting with land and how that turnover is impacting farming operatio...

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag in the Classroom program is designed to help K-12 students understand the importance of agriculture. The program is coordinated by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with funding from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, other agricultural groups and a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agricul...

Farmers are a busy bunch, which is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for finishing the Ag Census.  Stephanie Hoff visits with NASS Administrator, Hubert Hamer, who says they'll give farmers until this spring to fill it out. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke for their weekly update. The Wisconsin Beef Council has launched its inaugural class for the...

There was a time when every community had a blacksmith, and their work was focused on utility.  Today's blacksmith's still focus on utility and function, but there's also a certain art to what they do.  Bob Bosold visits with Craig Trnka at the Midwest Horse Fair.  Trnka is CEO, World Championship Blacksmiths, LLC.  He explains how blacksmithing has evolved and how it's attracting a younger audien...

The Fertilizer Institute is asking lawmakers to update transportation infrastructure. Kathy Mathers is the vice president of public affairs with The Fertilizer Institute. She says updating railroad, locks and dams and easing truck regulations would go a long way in helping farmers not only have access to vital nutrients, but also keep it affordable. Before we dive into the weeds of logistics, Kath...

It’s that time of year when you’ll start seeing a lot of farm equipment on the roadways as farmers start fieldwork and planting crops. Both farmers and motorists can play a role in preventing deaths on Wisconsin roadways. John Shutske is an agricultural safety specialist at UW-Madison and the UW Center for Agricultural Safety & Health. He joins us to break down how you can keep yourself and ot...

Potato planting is now 13 percent finished, which is a day behind average. But according to Donald Maum, Alsum Farms & Produce Sustainability Manager, he says they are right on schedule. Maum says they were able to get into the fields a week earlier than normal. “Our seed supplies have been arriving on schedule so our seed cutting operation for planting this year is proceeding on schedule,” sa...

There is something special to Wisconsin that just isn’t known in many places outside of the state, but one UW Madison Grad student is doing research to change that. Maggie Becher grew up in Somerset, WI before heading off to South Dakota State University to do her undergrad. But Wisconsin called her home and now she can be found on the UW Madison campus. In her 4th year as a graduate student Maggi...

Corn rootworm. A pest which causes over a billion dollars’ worth of damage annually across the United States and has crept up in numbers in Wisconsin. Emily Bick, UW-Madison Entomology Professor explains what we can expect this year from this pest and how farmers can take proactive measures to mitigate its impact on their crops. Corn rootworm beetle pressure persists. Based on the high adult corn...

A father-son team from central Wisconsin was turning heads during the Midwest Horse Fair's PRCA Rodeo event in Madison.  Carrie Mess shares the story of the shared passion that brought these two together. Wisconsin farmers can't get moving with spring planting, but that's not stopping insects!  Charitee Seebecker talks to UW Entomologist, Emily Bick, about corn rootworm and the economic damage the...

A first of its kind program, the Humane Handling Institute, will provide comprehensive hands-on training for current meat industry workers in humane pre-slaughter handling, transport, stunning, and equipment maintenance. Kurt Vogel, Humane Handling Institute Director, shares an update into the timeline of where the institute is at, what they are working on, and their new pilot program. They are in...

There's a flurry of activity happening around Wisconsin when weather improves.  Building projects are also getting underway.  Charitee Seebecker visits with Chad Krueger with Diggers Hotline about precautions people need to take BEFORE they start building projects. Wisconsin may not be well known for its rodeo prowess, but there's still competitors here that want some respect.  Carrie Mess introdu...

Applications came in with a flurry for this year's Century/Sesquicentennial farms and homes recognition.  Jill Albanese, competitive events coordinator for the WI State Fair, says they've got 78 farms/homes that will be recognized for 100 years in the same family, and 30 farms/homes celebrating 150 years of ownership.  She talks with Pam Jahnke about the program. Wisconsin's seen a number of farms...

The United States isn’t going to see the turnaround wheat yields it expected in 2023. This is the word from the U.S. Wheat Associates President Vince Peterson. He says the association is working on marketing U.S. wheat and wheat ingredients to new export markets. But unfortunately the ongoing drought in the Plain States and the flood risks in the Dakotas and Minnesota are putting a damper on wheat...

Wisconsin’s Rural Development office has money on the table specifically for farmers and small rural businesses to make improvements and offers guarantees for their lenders. Cari Sabel, business and cooperative programs specialist for Wisconsin Rural Development, says they have grant and loan programs that will finance renewable energy or help improve energy efficiency, generate additional income,...

Jonathan Gibbs is a soybean producer in Fox Lake, Wisconsin.  He's also the current secretary/treasurer of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. Gibbs says that he's always recognized key components of sustainable farming practices, and has found increased appreciation for sharing that story through experiences offered through soybean leadership programs. Find out more about how soybean checkoff...

The debate over E15 has renewable fuels advocates busy in Washington D.C. E15 – which is gasoline that contains roughly 15 percent ethanol – has not been approved for year-round sale. Biofuel advocates say it’s because of outdated policy that doesn’t allow summer sales. Wisconsin is an ethanol producing state. And ethanol is made from corn. Ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy is asking for a chan...

Farm incomes have been on the rise for the past five years and while they may drop some in 2023,  they will still remain at a healthy level. That’s according to Blaine Nelson, senior economist on the strategy, research, and analytics team at Farmer Mac. He describes what we can expect this year in terms of acreage, commodity prices, and farmland values. “Farm incomes peaked last year according to...

Opening up trade opportunities continues to be a top priority for the U.S. feed industry. Mallory Gaines is the director of market access and trade policy for the American Feed Industry Association. She says opening up markets is what they're asking of the Biden administration. AFIA is also tackling trends in feed, whether its rules set by other countries, disease prevention or sustainability. She...

Hemp for fiber and grain is becoming more economically viable especially if you can rotate it with your traditional grain crops, says Alex Mootz of Complete Ag Solutions in Adams County, a diversified hemp operation. He’s been growing hemp for about four years. He started on 10 acres and now farms 345 acres of hemp grain and fiber. And 200 acres of "flower" or CBD hemp. He also does corn and soybe...