MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The last thing that farmers need when they’re coming into the spring planting season is a slowdown in the field.  Kyle Parker, district manager for CHS Lubricants, says part of what they need to think about is not what it’s going to be like when they’re in the field and in need, but the proactive way they need to approach getting their equipment for the planting season. He explains more about the...

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service is running a bit behind with its 2022 Census of Agriculture. The agency has pushed the due date to "the end of the spring," says NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. The data will be published by February 2024. USDA uses the data to administer programs through the Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency, for example. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Meat processors across Wisconsin are speaking up and wanting to be taken seriously as an important part of Wisconsin agriculture and the food supply chain.  Pam Jahnke talks to Jake Sailer, president of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors.  He says WAMP has hired a lobbyist for the very first time, and are working on more financial support for the expansion happening across the state by s...

Wisconsin is celebrating the reopening of Babcock Dairy Hall and everything it includes.  Stephanie Hoff talks with the director of the Center for Dairy Research - which is housed in Babcock Hall.  Dr. John Lucey says the expanded, improved space will help not only students but the dairy industry as a whole. Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources released its plan for wolf management in the s...

Weather plays a huge role in production agriculture and a successful execution of a crop really requires accurate weather forecasting and having a plan. Eric Snodgrass, of Nutrien Ag Solutions, says farmers can plan their operations based on weather averages and experiences from past growing seasons, but each year has a new set of weather challenges. He explains more about this and how farmers can...

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, WI Association of Sporting Dogs, and WI Wolf Facts are sponsoring a second Wolf Management Plan Listening/Sharing Session on Saturday, April 22, 11 - 2:30 at the Railroad Ave. Community Center, Prentice (Price County) WI.  This is the second in a series, the first held in Solon Springs, which was a big success.  These sessions are being recorded and sent to WI DN...

Chad Gukenberger is from Marshfield Wisconsin, Like many people here in Wisconsin he works a job in manufacturing and in his free time spends time with his family and children. But what is unique is that much of that free time is spent traveling to rodeos where Chad competes in team roping. The event requires two cowboys to ride their horses into the arena chasing a calf. One partner throws a rope...

While we were able to enjoy some warm weather this past week, 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. "While these populations could possibly contin...

Dairy markets have been a bit of a roller coaster lately but they’re picking back up. That’s according to Leonard Polzin, UW-Extension Dairy Markets and Policy specialist. He says consumers are still purchasing dairy products and he expects margins to rise back up. Polzin gives a recap of 2022 and explains what he’s forecasting for 2023 dairy markets. “2022 was a year of highs as we had record hig...

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will look different this year, and there's many reasons why.  Pam Jahnke talks to general manager, Arnie Jennerman, about the site neutral location at the Badger Steam & Gas Engine club grounds, and changes they've made in their volunteer policy and food they'll be offering. Ag lenders are watching escalating values in farmland values all across the midwest and m...

Wisconsin bankers have their voice heard in Washington DC thanks to the American Bankers Association (ABA). They represent 83 percent of all banks nationwide and have agricultural loans in their portfolio.  Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President of Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy for ABA explains what lending issues are being brought to his attention and how he is supporting Wisconsin bankers and...

Pam Jahnke hosts Rachel Gerbitz, Director of Sustainability Communications and Partnerships for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, along with Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations for WFBF.  The emphasis is on "sustainability".  The phrase is being used a lot in policy development and corporate communications.  What does it mean to Wisconsin agriculture and environmental practices?  R...

Backyard gardeners are getting busy this spring, and some of their projects might include new shrubs and bushes.  Jill Welke visits with a family that's dedicated to making sure those supplies are always available.  Ashley Ahl helps operate Ahl Nursery, and explains what their spring looks like. Finally, the Babcock Dairy Hall renovation is complete, and that's brought a big smile to Dr. John Luce...

You’re pulling your equipment out of the shed and you realize… you need new tires. Luckily, Todd Cavil with Pomp’s Tire Service says availability is better than last year and the price hikes have stalled. During the busy season, you may be able to take advantage of incentives from manufacturers, such as rebates. Stephanie Hoff talks with Todd on availability going into planting season. The 2023 Fa...

Too many households do not have enough savings to cope with a typical unexpected expense, from a broken water heater to a broken arm. Even a small savings cushion could prevent families from being trapped in a harmful cycle of debt or from depleting their retirement savings to pay for common emergencies. ( aarp.org )   Pam Jahnke and Amber Miller, Assoc. State Director of Outreach for AARP of Wisc...

Neal Kemmet is the president of ACE Ethanol in Stanley and Fox River Valley Ethanol in Oshkosh. Just like growers, he says ethanol producers have their eyes on the weather wishing for a successful planting season. Wisconsin's story is a happy one with lots of corn in storage to keep ethanol plants running at full capacity. Some of that corn is also flowing to states that didn't fare so well, like...

Did you know there is research going on that’s all about cheese snackability? Some may say that there is no way to make cheese even more of a perfect snack, Jason Pronschinske a Masters student at UW-Madison, is working on just that.  While cheese is a delicious and nutrient dense snack, increasing shelf stable cheese snack options is an area of growth potential and that’s the driver behind Jason’...

For some of us, manure smells like home. It's also a sure sign of spring. Heim Brothers Custom in Kewaunee County is getting ready for a busy season handling manure for area farms. Heim Brothers Custom has been around since 2015, helping about 17 farms on 60,000 acres reach their manure management and conservation goals. The Heim family also belongs to Peninsula Pride Farms, a farmer-led watershed...

As the weather warms up and we get excited to start outdoor projects it’s important to take your time and recognize that April is Diggers Safety Month. If you’re fencing, installing a mailbox, tilling a garden, or whatever that project may be, it’s important to stop and think about the project before digging.  Chad Krueger with Diggers Hotline shares tips, or rather, steps you must take before usi...

The dust has settled at Babcock Hall at UW-Madison. After a three-year renovation, the campus can now say it has a world-class dairy research facility between the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and the Center for Dairy Research. CDR Director John Lucey tells Mid-West Farm Report that there’s excitement coming from students, faculty and the industry to get started in the improved space. And it is a bigge...

Production kicks off this week in the new and improved Babcock Hall Dairy Plant. Manager Casey Whyte says they begin making ice cream today, and they'll start cheese in a few weeks. This is following a three-year renovation project to the 1950s facility. Babcock Hall Dairy Plant is known for its popular Babcock ice cream and award-winning cheeses, as well as a new, three-story addition for the Cen...

Attention dairy industry dreamers! The deadline for the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance grant program is this week. A fresh face at the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association Danica Nilsestuen, Director of Grants and Business Programs says these grants are made for helping get new products and ideas in the dairy sector launched. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems like no one is happy with milk pricing and there may be some change on the horizon. Carrie Mess caught up with Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation during CheeseCon in Madison. He was a panelist discussing the need for another look at how dairy farmers are paid.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you keep an employee once you find them?  First impressions can matter.  Jim Versweyveld, UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist, says the impression new hires witness on the first day can resonate with them on whether they stay or not.  Pam Jahnke visits with him. Don't be intimidated by the calendar when it comes to soybean planting.  Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist, sa...

Setting their sights on the Farm Bill, Wisconsin Farmers Union is already working on building alliances.  Bob Bosold gets an update from Darren VonRuden, president of WFU, about their priority items. Now that spring planting is likely to get a jump start, paying attention to details can be compromised.  Charitee Seebecker visits with a Purdue University ag economist that has a checklist growers ne...