MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The agricultural market is always changing, but there are ways for producers to stay ahead and seize some opportunities. Parts of South America will be harvesting 11 to 12 tons more soybeans than they ever have before while others will be down 50%. Economist Dan Basse of AgResource Company shares some insight into how this affects prices here in the U.S. “It's really a strange season for South Ame...

Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Darlene Konkle reminds poultry owners of the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The spring migratory period for wild birds brings an increased risk of infection to all flocks, so DATCP recommends that poultry owners continue using the strongest biosecurity measures to protect their birds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biosecurity has never been more important for livestock and poultry owners.  Avian influenza struck poultry and now pork producers are on guard against ASF - African Swine Fever.  Pam Jahnke talks to NPPC Staff Veterinarian, Pam Zaabel, about where the disease is now and what's being done on our borders to try and keep the industry threatening ailment out. Today is National Agriculture Day.  Devel...

Ag Day at the Capitol is coming up on March 29th and there's a fresh face from Wisconsin Farm Bureau that's looking forward to being there. Jason Mugniani, the new Executive Director of Government Relations says the priorities of Wisconsin's Farm Bureau members will be heard in Madison.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations to Kyle and Rachel Zwieg of Ixonia who were named National Outstanding Young Farmers earlier this spring. They are the seventh generation on the family farm that was purchased from the state of Wisconsin in 1856. Kyle and Rachel and their family milk 70 cows using robotics. They also operate 1,500 acres of crop land with autonomous technology. Kyle tells me all about how the adapta...

Last month, Governor Evers included free school meals for all, strategic investments in school breakfast funding, and a local purchasing incentive program in his proposed biennial budget. More specifically known  as the Governor’s Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids plan. Allison Pfaff Harris, farm-to-school director at REAP Food Group explains what this plan means for Wisconsin and our producers. “To go...

With fewer students coming from the farm, how do you engage nonfarm students with agriculture? Wisconsin schools such as Blackhawk Technical College in Monroe are looking for that answer. Blackhawk has seen success by offering the newest technology advancements from spray drones to tractor simulators. This is giving students real-life and hands-on experience to prepare for the industry. Dustin Wil...

Interest rates, inflation, recession - these are phrases we're hearing in the media, and ag lenders are paying attention too. Pam Jahnke sat down and discussed trends that ag lenders are monitoring going into spring planting. Matt Schuldt, President/Ag Banker with Merchants Bank in Caledonia and Spring Grove, Minnesota - along with Jerad Brown, ag lender with Merchants in Lanesboro and Rushford, d...

Despite weather concerns, California farmers are still able to grow almost anything the market demand.  Bob Bosold visits with California almond producer, Dan Klendenon, about the crop and its future. The National Weather Service is continuing to reach out to the general public to become "citizen scientists" and rainfall reporters.  Carrie Mess talks to Matt Brown, a county coordinator for those r...

Rep. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, chairs the Assembly Agriculture Committee and dairy farms in southwest Wisconsin. He says his priorities for this session are for local road improvements and continued producer-led watershed grants. He’s also a big advocate for farmers representing themselves on the Hill, especially during a state budget cycle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens to honeybees in the winter? And how did the hives weather this winter weather as we move into spring? Nick Thill, Wisconsin Honey Producers Association President, says he has been getting mixed reviews from beekeepers throughout the state. He shares how these pollinators handled the cold temperatures and what to expect moving into spring, including potential hive invaders. “I’ve heard...

With spring comes manure hauling and spreading and there's going to be more and more equipment back on the roads. But what is the demand really like for custom operators? Manure application is a part of the conservation conversation in Wisconsin. Isaac Lemmenes, OEM Product Specialist at R Braun Inc. explains how the sustainability conversation fits into his line of work. He says there is a high d...

Composting is an environmentally friendly way to create healthy soil. But how do you start one and why should you? Melanie Burns, Waste Management Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says composting is a diversion of food waste from landfills and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The overall benefit of a compost pile is that it is a soil amendment because it improves th...

Charitee Seebecker starts us off with news on how the state of Wisconsin is making sure residents have access to what’s really become essential in this day and age – high-speed internet. PSC Chairwoman Becky Valq has the answers. So you like to celebrate St. Patty's Day with corned beef? We give you a sense of what it takes to haul livestock around the country, especially when the weather gets out...

The Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee is focusing on the state budget and hosting listening sessions to best represent Wisconsin's farmers. This is the word from Senator Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, who chairs the committee. She also talks about bills being discussed and what is happening on the national level that she is involved with. "We inherited a $2.3 billion deficit and it took us 10 ye...

The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center will be hosting their first annual Something Special from Wisconsin™ Spring Vendor Market on March 25 from 9am-3pm. Abigail Winkel, Program Manager at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, provides insight into what attendees can expect. “This is a really great partnership with the Something Special from Wisconsin program and ourselves to help promote producers that...

What could be more Wisconsin than talking about dairy and the weather? That's what we have in store for you on a Thursday morning. Cedar Crest Ice Cream and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation have announced the winner and finalists of the 2022 Cedar Crest Ice Cream Flavor Creation Contest. Congratulations to the Pilsen Skylighters of Kewaunee County for their flavor, Cow Lick. Cedar Crest Marketing Mana...

Whether you're working on the farm with family or you have a town job and coworkers, good communication is vital. But often different generations have different expectations and styles when it comes to sharing information. Angie Coleman, is an organizational development consultant with FCCS consulting. She has done a deep dive on the different generations in the workforce right now and shares some...

On a Wednesday morning, UW-Madison Division of Extension Specialist Damon Smith reminds us that tar spot is a relatively new disease. It's been moving further North year after year since it came to the Badger State in 2016. Tar spot will shut a corn plant down prematurely. To control it -- look for resistance in hybrids and utilize fungicide. These techniques will slow tar spot, allowing the plant...

Come along with the UK Trade Mission, funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports! The United Kingdom is Wisconsin’s sixth largest trading partner. As the UK’s planned exit from the European Union (Brexit) continues, opportunities for food, forestry and agriculture products will increase. Specialty foods, organic foods, wood products, feed, livestock and genetics, craft spirits, beers,...

What market is right and viable for your farm? What resources are available? Answering those questions is Chris Kpman of Newtrient. He joins Pam Jahnke to talk about how they’re helping farmers to take advantage of market opportunities. Whether it’s deciding when to start salting and plowing operations, staging barricades for an expected flood-related road closure or planning maintenance operation...

Olives. Not necessarily what we’re used to growing here in Wisconsin. But Bob Bosold got the inside look at how olive oil is produced from the harvest to the store on his farm tour in California as he talks with Karen Bond of Bondolio Olive Orchard. Wisconsin Public Service will host the 61st anniversary WPS Farm Show March 28-30 on the EAA grounds in Oshkosh. Charitee Seebeker visits with Matt Cu...

As an Agronomist at AgSource Laboratories, Tim Boerner relies on good weather reporting to make recommendations to his clients. That’s one reason he’s been a CoCoRahs weather reporter for over 15 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acclimate weather? Traffic delays? Spooked cattle? Smooth route? It's all got to be considered when you're hauling live cargo. But it’s all second nature to Rick Reese of Hortonville, who has been hauling livestock since he was in high school. He’s been in the business for about 50 years. Today he’s with JBS livestock haulers. He breaks down what it entails to get cattle to the meat processor safe...

When you think of upcoming spring holidays, such as Easter, you may think of lamb. It’s a common dish for spring celebrations around the world. The holidays are important for lamb producers here in the U.S. Cody Hiemke is a Wisconsin lamb producer who runs the lamb program for Niman Ranch. Niman Ranch represents roughly 650 farms, selling their meat to high-end restaurants and retailers. These far...