MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Jase Wagner is now in place as the new CEO and President of Compeer Financial. He visits with Pam Jahnke about his background, and how he's monitoring ongoing economic influences to keep finding success for the cooperative. Speaking of success, they'll again be issuing more than $200 million in member patronage beginning in February. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making sure that animal agriculture can continue producing protein for consumers may seem like a slam dunk, but that's not the case.  Dr. Mike Siemens with Protect The Harvest, says there's constant pressure from animal rights groups to take that option away.  Bob Bosold talks to him about the organization and where some of the biggest challenges are coming from. The drought of 2022, especially in...

The United States continues to be a powerhouse when it comes to dairy exports.  2022 was another banner year according to Will Loux, Vice President of Global Economic Affairs for the U.S. Dairy Export Council.  Will 2023 be the same?  He talks to Pam Jahnke about how the value of the dollar, and inflation may change the trade environment. Wisconsin's getting ready to host the 2023 U.S. Championshi...

There’s more milk on the world market as milk production grows in the U.S. and in the European Union and New Zealand. Meanwhile, demand for that dairy remains a question in 2023 because of the possibility of a recession. This is the word from a longtime dairy economist Mark Stephenson. He’s been enjoying retirement from the Center for Dairy Profitability since November, but took some time with the...

The average Wisconsin farmer is sitting pretty well as we start a new year, according to numbers pulled by the Renk Agribusiness Institute at UW-Madison. But just because farm income appears to be at a record high, it doesn’t mean producers will be invincible to the risk that lies ahead. Paul Mitchell is the director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute and a professor in agricultural economics. He...

The U.S. Champion Cheese contest is taking place in Green Bay Feb 21-22. With 197 dairy product makers bringing over 2200 entries, it’s bound to be a delicious time in Titletown.  Chad Galer is one of the people who will be up in Green Bay. He’s not taking cheese to be judged though. He stands on the other side of the table as a cheese judge. A job that many would love to have.  See omnystudio.com...

A Dane County dairy farm has been getting plenty of attention since they committed some of their farm acres to an upcoming solar energy project.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Tina Hinchley, WI Farmers Union member and ag tourism dairy farm attraction host, about the decision making process they went through. Pulling together recession, interest rates, and inflation.  That's what Prof. Steve Deller,...

Technical colleges are escalating their efforts recruiting students for vocational opportunities across the state.  At the Northern Technical College in Wausau, they're laser focused on agriculture.  Stephanie Hoff visits with both the dean of the campus, and their ag coordinator about what programs are available. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke for an update.  He notes the fin...

The Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee will likely begin this Legislative session with what it knows works – expanding ag exports, promoting dairy and investing in meat processing, for example. This is the word from Sen. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, who chairs the committee. She also talks about the makeup of the committee and what's been brought to their attention by ag groups. See omnystudio....

It’s pretty early in the state Legislative session for discussion on any bills that we can expect to see regarding Wisconsin agriculture. Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, gives us an idea of the discussions that are circling the Capitol building. Marklein will be focused on the next biennial budget in his role as co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. As a farm kid and member of the Senate...

Steve Dellar is a professor of agriculture and applied economics and is an extension specialist at UW Madison. I caught up with him at the Wisconsin Ag Outlook Forum held on Campus to get his thoughts on the state of the Wisconsin economy as well as what areas of concern he sees on the horizon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horse Creek Farmer-Led Watershed Council in Polk County has been researching no-till and cover crop practices for eight years. The 2022 trials have shown that those practices can help with cold wet weather and emergence problems. Tara Daun is the watershed coordinator with Wisconsin Farmers Union. She has the results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So you have a leaky faucet, a leaky roof… well what about leaky nitrogen? John Jones is a researcher and lecturer at UW-Madison’s Department of Soil Science. He describes nitrogen as leaky. And he explains how to prevent that from happening so that you’re getting the most out of your inputs. First he describes how nitrogen leaks off of farm fields.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Where are fertilizer prices going? There has been a little softening in input prices, but they aren’t coming down quickly, according to an economist at the Wisconsin Agri-Business Classic. Economist Jason Troendle with The Fertilizer Institute predicts supply and prices for nitrogen, phosphorus and potash ahead of the 2023 growing season.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They're starting tours at the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover next month!  The project is happening thanks to generous farmers and their partners.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Malorie Paine, the communications coordinator of the effort, about what they hope the center will bring to the state of Wisconsin. We're months away from county fair's, but county fair boards and staff are already m...

The Wisconsin Cattlemen's Winter Conference is back after a two-year hiatus, but it's going to look a little different than it did in 2020. The association is getting together for one day on February 11th in DeForest. Despite a different time and place, you can still look forward to hearing from industry experts and networking with each other. President-elect Tressa Lacey, who starts her term in 2...

This weekend China begins celebrating its New Year, and hopefully it'll involve Wisconsin ginseng!  Stephanie Hoff talks to Jackie Fett, exec. director of the Wisconsin Ginseng Growers, about the challenges they're still facing getting product into their number one market. Pam Jahnke shares a wrap up of DairyStrong and legislative awards presented by Dairy Business Association.  She also recaps so...

The financial terrain of 2023 continues to change.  Agriculture may be impacted differently then your 401K, or your household spending. Bill Moore is the Chief Risk Manager for Compeer Financial.  He speaks with Pam Jahnke about how they're stress testing their own portfolios, and advising farm clients on risk management for their operations. Some of the highlights include: In 2022, we saw a small...

Rural school districts in Wisconsin continue to face challenges including shifting enrollment levels and changes in state compensation.  Jill Welke talks with Jeff Eide, executive director of Wisconsin Rural Schools. There's 32 units now finished and available in the community of Darlington designed to help rural agricultural workers find housing.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Wally Orzechowski, execut...

Wisconsin forests are going to be impacted by climate change however there are things that can be done to help minimize that impact. Brad Hutnik, forest ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources, says that sustainable forestry and silviculture are key to protecting our forests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just because vegetables aren't growing outside right now doesn't mean that the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmers are just sitting around. Sam Oschwald Tilton, fresh market vegetable specialist from FairShare CSA Coalition provides insight  into what those farmers are doing during the winter and how customers can prepare for this year's season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

The deadline for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection commercial nitrogen optimization pilot grant is fast approaching. Applications are due January 31 and recipients will be announced in march. Are you still unsure on if you should apply?  Mark Witecha, Soil and Watershed Management Section Manager for DATCP, explains some helpful tips. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

You may not think that frogs and water quality have anything to do with cookies or shelf stable goods. But to Kriss Marion, they all go together in supporting the wellbeing of communities. Marion is a farmer from Blanchardville who is dedicated to soil and water stewardship. She is a part of the River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Wisconsin Women in Conservation, and has played a...

Many pet owners look at their cats/dogs like family members, and will generally do or pay most anything to keep them healthy.  Carrie Mess visits with Dr. David Vail from the UW-Veterinary School of Medicine about oncology research that might improve the outcome for not only pets - but people too. WI Senator Tammy Baldwin's excited about projects coming to rural communities funded in part, by the...

A large donation of nutritious protein found its way from family farms to Madison today when 35,000 pounds of pork was delivered to Second Harvest Foodbank. The donation by Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), in partnership with Farmers Union Enterprises, is part of a five-state giving spree of 180,000 pounds of pork that also includes food banks in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. S...