MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Wisconsin Farmers Union hosted their Farm & Rural Lobby day in Madison on January 18th. Members advocated for policy priorities set by the grassroots membership at the farm organization’s annual convention in December. Darin Von Ruden, President of Wisconsin Farmers Union, explains the history of the farm and rural lobby day and key priorities being brought forward.  See omnystudio.com/listene...

The GrassWorks Annual Grazing Conference is coming up, February 2-4. Attendees have many opportunities to network and discuss their operations and techniques peer-to-peer during breaks, social times, banquets, and music along with over 30 breakout sessions focused on grazing management. Patty Laskowski Morren,  GrassWorks executive director explains how this conference was started and highlights ...

Senator Tammy Baldwin joined farmers, ag innovators and investors to talk more about the Rural Business Investment Program and how it’s helping companies like Fitchburg based Isomark Health develop tools for farmers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As snow accumulates off on and on this winter, farm building safety and maintenance are integral in preventing total roof collapse. David Bohnhoff, professional engineer and emeritus professor of Structural, Building Construction Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says the key causes of agricultural buildings collapsing during the winter aren’t necessarily due to the snow, but a f...

Wisconsin continues to be a hub for hemp research, even having a hand in new resources, such as the Midwestern Hemp Database and the Emerging Crops Website. Phillip Alberti, a research program manager at UW-Madison in the hemp program walks Mid-West Farm Report through trends he’s seeing in Wisconsin’s hemp industry, and the resources that hemp growers now have at their fingertips. He adds that gr...

What do you do if OSHA rolls into your farm or Ag business? This topic was covered at the recent Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic in Madison. Jim Holte is the Safety Director for the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association. I spoke with him during the association's annual conference for a rundown on what farmers and Ag businesses need to know about OSHA and safety.  See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

It’s not a bird, a plane or superman flying over farm fields, but it might be a drone looking for weeds or spraying fungicide.  Ben D. Johnson, Territory Sales Manager at Rantizo says that drones have come a long way in a short time. While just a few years ago they were more toy than tool, they are now bigger, smarter and more capable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The School of Agricultural Science, Utilities and Transportation at Northcentral Technical College is always adjusting its degree offerings to meet industry needs. This semester, it's launching its Garden to Market Specialist technical degree program. It's a one-year program that includes classes in greenhouse management, designing and timing a garden, soil science, and plant and pest management....

"Man vs Machine" is the theme for the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors Annual Convention held in April at the Madison Marriott West Hotel & Convention Center. It explores how technology can help streamline workforce, among other important topics to the industry. WAMP President Jake Sailer also tells Mid-West Farm Report about what else the industry is focused on from meat talent educat...

The 43rd Wisconsin FFA Alumni Convention's coming up in Waukesha Feb. 18-19.  Jill Welke talks to Exec. Secretary, Cheryl Steinbach, about the agenda and how the convention's put together. It rotates across the state involving local chapters for planning, and local businesses for tours. DairyStrong 2023 unfolds at the Monona Terrace Convention Center Wednesday and Thursday.  Stephanie Hoff discuss...

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin has launched a new partnership with Wisconsin Sports Network, highlighting student athletes from all sports, across the state, that hail from a dairy farm family. Vicki Janisch, Manager Farmer Communications & Programs at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin talks with Pam Jahnke about the unique balance these student athletes strike between duties on the farm, scholastic resp...

Bob Bosold talks to Jill Stall Tyler with Global Cow. The Global Cow program allows participants to do training plans with dairies from different parts of the world to learn about their programs. Farmers from the US go to other countries to learn and farmers come to the US for training plans. Different curricula are used according to the participant's age and ability. Charitee Seebecker visits wit...

Wisconsin’s craft breweries faced supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. But are things back to normal yet? Zak Koga, the Vice-President of the Wisconsin Brewers Guild and owner of Karben4 Brewing says there's going to be a lot of headwinds against the local craft beer industry throughout 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union will continue to encourage dairy farmers to work together on Federal Milk Order Reform.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Bobbi Wilson, Dairy Together Coordinator at WFU, about their progress. Our holiday celebrations may be in the rear view mirror, but in China they're just getting ready for their big event.  China's New Year on Jan. 22nd is the number one time that Wiscons...

There's a new leader of Wisconsin's Assembly Committee on Agriculture.  Travis Tranel, dairy producer from southwest Wisconsin will take over the reins.  He talks with Pam Jahnke about the shrinking voice of actual farmers at the state capitol, and what he sees coming down the pike as far as policy. The 2023 Fairest of the Fairs was introduced last night at the WI Fair Association annual conventio...

The Wisconsin Agribusiness winter meeting begins today in Madison focused on all the technology that farmers will employ and deploy to fields this spring.  Tom Bressner, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Association, highlights what's being offered. Pam Jahnke visits with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group about the aggressive start to scheduled auctions in 2023.  Paid for by Steffe...

Many farms and homes across Wisconsin are adding on gadgets and technology to run things more efficiently.  Catch is - can your power grid support all that safely.  Stephanie Hoff talks to electrician Jeff Mahlkuch from Monroe about some of the troubleshooting that people in rural Wisconsin might be called on to do. The Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic wrapped up in Madison Thursday focused on new t...

The Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial’s donor advised fund, has granted $600,000 to community and technical colleges across the cooperative’s 144-county territory, including $50,000 to Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Southwest Tech is one of five community colleges in Wisconsin receiving these grant dollars and plans to use the funding for programming and materials for its...

Yes, he's the regulator, but he's also the resource. Aaron O'Rourke is the nutrient management plan coordinator with the Wisconsin DNR's CAFO program. If you're taking the 'offseason' to work on your NMP, O'Rourke has some advice to make sure your plan isn't only compliant, but that it gets approved quickly. He's also got some reminders on winter manure management rules for Concentrated Animal Fee...

The Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention took place January 8-11 with about 1,000 people in attendance. The theme this year was Keeping it Rural. Jayme Buttke, Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs says that the theme is inline with their missions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The due date for the Census of Agriculture is fast approaching -- Feb. 6. Greg Bussler is Wisconsin’s State Statistician with USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service. He reminds you to get that filled out and sent in to make sure that people in charge of farm policy and farm grant dollars know you're out there.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin’s Rural Development office has money on the table specifically for farmers and small rural businesses to make energy improvements. The new grant and loan program (Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants in Wisconsin) will finance renewable energy or help improve energy efficiency. Cari Sabel says the application is...

Focus on your farm in 2023 by optimizing operations. Find out how Focus on Energy can help you identify energy efficiency upgrades while saving money on your utility bills for years to come. Today we are going to talk about: 2023 Program Updates Propane Offering Horticultural Lighting Pump Assessment Offering and VSD Bonus New Construction Projects in 2023 Interested in participating? Contact your...

The granddaughter of Rocky and Clare Swedlund of Juda, Wis., Sharlene Swedlund currently studies Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Blackhawk Technical College. She is currently employed at Kuhn North America as a Technical Publications Specialist working in engineering documentation. Swedlund is a past Juda Dairy Queen, an active FFA Alumni and has a passion for agriculture and the Green Cou...

There’s a new face on UW Madison’s Campus. Dr Emily Bick has joined the Entomology department and she has an eye on research using precision agriculture to learn more about keeping pests out of crops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.