MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

After 35 years in the auctioneer business, Terry Schmaling is set to retire. A Delavan, Wisconsin native and third generation fairboard member, Schmaling also served as a Wisconsin Association of Fairs zone four director. With his passion for hogs and judging across the United States and Canada, Schmaling says one thing that stuck out to him is the vigor people have to improve the fair industry. S...

The Wisconsin Farm Center at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has a lot of resources available to help farmers continue farming. Whether it’s financial consulting, transition planning, herd-based diagnostics or even farmer wellness – they’ve got the help you need to keep your farming operation going strong. The Farm Center also understands that farmers face situations t...

Inflation will continue to be a challenge into 2023, and food is under enormous pressure, says Wisconsin Grocers Association President and CEO Brandon Scholz. He says shoppers are making changes to adapt to higher prices: opting for cheaper proteins, passing on name brand products and planning meals ahead of time to limit extra spending at the store, for example. Meanwhile, the grocery industry is...

Jerry Apps is the author of " Meet Me on The Midway"  a book about the  history of Wisconsin Fairs. Charitee Seebecker had the chance to talk with Apps at the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention about his experiences and how much the fair industry has changed from its earliest incarnations of livestock exhibits to where it is today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cutest class you'll ever take is coming your way Feb. 18-19. This is the weekend when the UW-Madison Arlington Research Station Sheep Unit will be your learning laboratory -- in the midst of lambing season. Join Outreach Specialist Todd Taylor, Extension educators, and guest speakers to learn about ewe and lamb nutrition, veterinary care, and record keeping. This is also your chance to gain ha...

What's ahead for dairy? Mark Stephenson is retired, but Extension specialist Lenny Polzin and company are carrying on the work helping dairy farmers make good management decisions. Right now, Polzin is working on the dairy market and price forecasts. He says demand is good, especially for cheese. Even as the dollar remains strong and interest rates continue to rise, there hasn't been pullback on e...

The American Farmland Trust was founded in 1980 and has been working hard ever since to preserve America’s farms. One way they are doing this is through their Farm Legacy Program. Kara O’Connor, Midwest Philanthropy Officer for American Farmland Trust says that this program provides landowners with the peace of mind that their farm will always remain a farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

With fertilizer and other soil inputs predicted to be costly in 2023, how can you make the most of it? That's the question that is drawing growers to soil biologics, and the idea that soil health from a microscopic perspective can help plants better utilize inputs and increase yields. This is according to Matt Sowder, the global director of agronomy with The Mosaic Company. He points farmers to cr...

The Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline running through Northern Wisconsin is an important conduit to getting fuel to refineries across the Upper Midwest and Canada. It transports about 23 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquid per day. That energy goes to heat homes and fuel vehicles. Today, Enbridge is undergoing the process to relocate the pipeline to go around the Bad River Reservation....

While Christmas may be over- many want to continue that holiday cheer and enjoy their Christmas lights. But keeping up the tree for too long can be a real hazard. DNR Cooperative Fire Specialist Ron Schneider, says that now is the time to take down your trees if you have not done so already and provides helpful fire prevention tips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic is coming up January 11-12 and will offer over 40 education presentations for those currently in the industry as well as opportunities for those in college to learn about the agriculture business industry. Tom Bressner is the Executive director for the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association and says that the classic truly has something for everyone. See omnystudio.c...

The dairy industry is getting together Jan. 18-19 in Madison for the annual Dairy Strong Conference put on by the Dairy Business Association. Not only will you get a chance to network with each other and gain valuable insight to lead your dairy operation into the future. But you’ll find the Mid-West Farm Report team there with microphones in hand. Either we’ll be interviewing folks or emceeing the...

The holidays are wrapped up in the U.S. after time off, gift giving and quality family time. But the festivities have yet to begin in China, where they celebrate the New Year on Jan. 22. You can bet that even on the other side of the world, Wisconsin agriculture is a part of the celebration. Jackie Fett with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin says the Chinese New Year is an important time of year for...

Soybean demand is projected to grow as renewable fuels gain traction and soybean products gain market share. This is according to Ag Processing Inc. While AGP doesn’t have processing facilities in Wisconsin, they do source soybeans from the state and deliver bulk feed products into Wisconsin as well. Reggie Kock is a merchandising manager with AGP. He tells Mid-West Farm Report about the expected...

Farmers across Wisconsin and the world are working hard to persevere through challenges in the industry and remain sustainable for years to come. Tina Hinchley, a dairy farmer from Cambridge, utilizes advancements in technology to do just that. She utilizes robotic milkers on her farm and is in the process of adding solar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a proposal for 1.600 acres of farmland to be put into solar. Chippewa Valley Bean is proposing the Elk Creek Solar Project. If approved, the project will be generating power in 2025. Charles Wachsmuth of Chippewa Valley Bean discusses how this project benefits the environment, soil, and community through regenerative agriculture.  Ashley Huhn, with the Steffes Group, explains what 2022 br...

There is a new Education Center in the works for Wisconsin that will help educate the community about agriculture from seed to table. Malorie Paine, the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Farming for the Future Foundation says that the new Food and Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin will help consumers better understand where their food comes from.   See omnystudio.com/listener...

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is continuing his wolf conversations in 2023, seeking to prevent wildlife attacks on livestock and people. Now that Republicans have the majority in the House, he's hoping to get a hearing in the Natural Resources Committee. He's also preparing to work with a new Congress -- one that isn't as familiar with agriculture.  Crossbred calves (dairy x beef) are here to stay. That’s...

Sara Stelter lives in Central Wisconsin and grows corn and soybeans as well as processes vegetables for canning companies. She also has a cow calf operation where she raises them out to be feeders or sells the cow calf pairs. This doesn’t keep her busy enough as she was recently appointed to serve on  the United Soybean Board. She shares insight into practices she uses on her farm and her involvem...

Tony Pierick is a farmer from Dodge County that has a family operation of 200 cows and an 1100 acre grain farm. He does cash grain and custom farming for others and cares about keeping his soil healthy. Pierick started the Dodge County Farmers Healthy Soil, Healthy Water Group in 2017 and is the president. He says they are forward thinking and  moving forward with regenerative agriculture. He refl...

Biodiesel has a big story to tell, and it'll be a topic on Capitol Hill as the industry looks to grow. Clean Fuels Alliance wants to grow production from 3 billion gallons per year to 6 billion gallons by 2050. The alliance argues it's a win for consumers since it lowers the cost of diesel by 4 percent. Almost half of the diesel in California is biodiesel. Australia is having an outbreak of Japane...

After sixteen years in the Wisconsin legislature, Representative Gary Tauchen has seen a lot of change. He ran for election in 2006 and took office in 2007. He says that things change after the first two years of being involved so he wrote an article called, “ Perspectives of a Freshman Legislature.” Tauchen reflects back on his time in office and provides insight into what’s next. See omnystudio....

Dr David Vail isn’t your typical dog, cat or even cow veterinarian, but the research he does may one day not only help your pet, but also your human family members. Dr. Vail is a DVM at UW’s School of Veterinary Medicine and specializes in oncology. He is a member of  the first-of-its-kind Canine Health And ReGistry Exchange Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of oncologists and veterinarians.  Take C...

CHS is the largest cooperative in America, owned by nearly 600,000 farmers and ranchers and headquartered in the Upper Midwest. Will Stafford is the Washington Representative for CHS. He lists off CHS' policy agenda and other lines Congress will likely add in the 2023 Farm Bill. He says while he has his hands full getting new members of Congress up to speed on ag policy, there is excitement surrou...

An economic reset is underway, according to Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company. Between inflationary pressures, severe weather events, an epidemic, war AND limited farmland -- economic competitiveness is going regional. Basse gives insight on what to anticipate in 2023 and recommends how to stay profitable as a producer when the world trade picture shifts. Cong. Ron Kind will be retired fr...