MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Herefords weren't originally the breed of choice for Jerry Huth - but when an attempt at raising angus beef cattle failed, Hereford became his breed.  Today Huth Polled Herefords is one of 7 operators across the nation being recognized for their environmental practices.  Pam Jahnke visits with Jerry Huth about his philosophies. March first marks the deadline for applications on the states century/...

It's maple syrup season in Wisconsin and sugarbush operations are running full tilt.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Steve Anderson, President of WI Maple Syrup Producers, about the season, the market and where production's headed. Bringing young people back to rural communities is the long term goal of Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc.  Pam Jahnke visits with board member, Sue Schultz, abou...

We're wrapping up National FFA Week with a conversation featuring Allie Ellis, National FFA Organization- Associate Director of Alumni & Supporters.  She speaks with Jill Welke about how people respond to the FFA story with giving. Big week for Wisconsin cheesemakers and fans!  The U.S. Champion Cheese Contest concluded on Thursday in Green Bay, and it could be considered a sweep for Wisconsin...

Alyssa Seitz grew up on a dairy farm near Seymour Wisconsin. Her love of cows led her to UW River Falls and then on to UW Madison to start her master’s program. She’s been conducting research on feeding beef and dairy cross calves to make animals that aren’t just more profitable, but also healthier and tastier.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beginning this fall, officials at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College will welcome the first cohort of students into its new Sustainable Energy Management program. Citing a variety of factors, now is the right time for the college to offer the program. Policy changes at the state level are allowing for growth in the industry, in addition to federal funding for apprenticeships and prevailing wage...

National Hereford Queen Madison Katzenberger is the third-ever queen from Wisconsin, and the program started in 1955! She’s also a proud, third-generation Hereford breeder. The official dress is ALL white so that she stands out at cattle shows and among other royalty. Her job is to be a spokeswoman for the breed, cattle producers, industry reps and the American Hereford Association. She’s also got...

If cybercrime was its own country, it would have the third largest economy after the U.S. and China. That's how lucrative it is. And that's why agriculture is the second-largest target. Because farming and food is critical infrastructure, cyber criminals know that there will be a payout to restore those agribusinesses: think grain cooperatives, meat packers and most recently ION Trading. Special A...

Snow can be a blessing and a curse when it comes to your plants whether it's your shrubs or trees in your yard. Jonathan Stickels, Operation Manager at Mariani Plants, says snow can actually serve as an insulator for plants. It's really the ice that's the biggest detriment to any of these plants. He provides insight into just how much of an impact that it can have on the nursery industry.  Protect...

Urban agriculture is growing in popularity. Here in Wisconsin, it’s gotten support from the federal government. Wisconsin Women in Conservation is a statewide project that’s funded by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. It’s led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. The project started in 2020 with a focus on helping women farmers across the state in their conservation plan. But...

Annie’s Project, a national non-profit to educate and empower women in agriculture, is celebrating 20 years since its founding. Today, the program has over 19,000 graduates across 38 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Co-CEO and Wisconsin farmer Doris Mold says the inaugural class of 10 women met in 2003 in Illinois. Since then, it's impacted graduates' farms and lives. See omnystudio.com/listene...

We might only be in the first few months of 2023 but let’s go ahead and talk about the Wisconsin State Fair. Officials at the fair are pleased to announce that applications are available for the Century and Sesquicentennial Farm Awards. Jill Albanese with the Wisconsin State Fair Park shares more about the awards and how to apply. To qualify for the award, families are required to provide proof of...

Helping to provide dairy industry solutions for food security and the environment, the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center scientists cover everything from the soil, to the forage, through the animal, and then in the manure. Dennis Hancock, Dairy Forage Research Center Director, says much of what they’re working on today is on alfalfa. “Another main focus lately is on minimizing the amount of methan...

Dedicated to researching and promoting the value of the forage industry, the Midwest Forage Association (MFA) helps to educate farmers on methods that would make them more profitable in their practices with a focus on forages. Chelsea Russell, the local council director for the Midwest Forage Association explains more about the research they do and how they benefit not only farmers but the communi...

Parts of northern Wisconsin will be picking up more than a foot of snow before this storm system is through.  Charitee Seebecker talks to David Bohnoff from the Ag Engineering Dept of UW-Madison, about snow loads on barns and outbuildings, and what they should know about construction limitations and guidelines. Judges were busy on Wednesday in Green Bay trying to wrap up evaluating over 2,200 dair...

Looking for a fun way to support Wisconsin farmers and the state’s farm to school activities? Then sign up now for the Wisconsin Chili Lunch, taking place at noon on Thursday, February 23, 2022. This event was created to help connect farmers with schools and educate students about where their food comes from.  It’s simple and easy to participate: register for free at cias.wisc.edu/our-events/chili...

It's a foundation you may not have heard much about - but it's a foundation that's having an impact in rural communities across Wisconsin. Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. (WROF) The WROF was originally formed to “rehabilitate individuals and families as self-sustaining human beings by enabling them to secure subsistence and gainful employment from the soil.”  That was during the Gre...

One familiar entrant at this year's U.S. Cheese Championship in Green Bay is Marieka Pentermann from Thorp and her Marieka's Gouda cheese.  Bob Bosold visits with Marieka about her passion for cheese and how it's driven their business model. Pam Jahnke chats with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Auction Group.  Ashley explains the opportunities participants have if they only have one or two items to s...

Are fertilizer prices coming down?  Farmers can only hope.  Stephanie Hoff catches up with Jason Troendle, economist with The Fertilizer Institute, on what areas he's watching and why prices have been so erratic. It's National FFA Week and American Family Insurance is reminding everyone about Give FFA Day.  Stephanie Hoff chats with Lane Berenschot, an AmFam agent in western Wisconsin. John Hinebe...

For the first time in more than a decade, Wisconsin's got a presence on the House Agriculture Committee.  Bob Bosold visits with the freshman congressman, Derrick VanOrden. The first ever Badger Lambing school unfolded to a capacity crowd over the weekend at the UW Arlington Sheep Research Facility.  Shepherd/Director, Todd Taylor was very pleased with the turnout. Now that the state legislature h...

Wisconsin can be a little on the depressing side when it comes to weather and overall activity.  Jill Welke visits with Jeff Ditzenberger from TUGS.  He's suffered with depression himself, and today tries to lend a hand as a counselor himself. One positive about Wisconsin weather is that it's ushering in the maple syrup production season.  Stephanie Hoff visits with Steve Anderson, president of th...

With winter storms in store for Wisconsin, you may be worried about your plants, whether it's your perennial landscape shrubs or fruit trees. Dane County Extension Horticulture Educator Lisa Johnson says it's not the cold weather you should worry about, but the up and down warming and cooling. She says it's especially bad for evergreens. She says be worried if there's a polar vortex -- the rare, e...

Give FFA Day is tomorrow! During the 24 hours of giving, you can give to a state association of your choice. American Family Insurance will be matching your donation from noon to 1 p.m. Lane Berenschot has been an American Family Agency Owner for almost 30 years, operating in western Wisconsin. He calls himself a city boy, but grew up in the farm-fed community of Glenwood City. Through the insuran...

Producer Ryan McGlynn, UW Arlington Sheep Unit Director Todd Taylor and UW-Madison student Mara Quarne tell Mid-West Farm Report the first-ever Badger Lambing School was a success. The inaugural Badger Lambing School at the UW Sheep Unit gave beginning and experienced producers a lesson in best lambing practices. Ryan McGlynn is based out of rural Reedsburg rotational grazes about 40-head of sheep...

Mary Lindemann from Pine River Pre-Pack is both a volunteer and a competitor at the US Cheese Championship. While competing at Lambeau was a lot of fun, she says the event’s move to the Resch Center has been a positive. The new venue isn’t the only change, with Green Bay being in the bullseye for loads of snow, there may need to be some changes in the schedule.   See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

What does an insurance agent do?  What questions should you ask?  On this edition of the Rural Mutual Round Table, Pam Jahnke visits with Daryl and Maddeline Pulsfus.  They're Rural Mutual agents covering a large geography in southern Wisconsin with an emphasis on farms and agribusiness. They'll take a deeper dive into what many insurance providers overlook when it comes to the high investment mad...