MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Beginning in March, Dried Distillers Grains will be able to head to new markets overseas from the Port of Milwaukee. The DeLong Company is building a new agricultural maritime export facility that will the first of its kind on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway to handle DDGs. Future service at the facility will also include the export of Wisconsin-grown soybeans, corn and other grains. DeLon...

The newest DATCP Weekly Livestock Market Update has been released. Beef demand is picking up, there are fewer market ready hogs than this time last year, and lamb prices started out high this year but are now stagnant. Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist shares more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices are good for organic grain growers here in Wisconsin, but the market is just as volatile if not more than what we’re seeing at the Chicago Board of Trade for conventional grains. Jim Copher is a specialty grain trader and merchandiser with The DeLong Company. He explains that with organics, there's no price hedging or futures markets. And the largest market mover are imports. Wisconsin orga...

Many Wisconsin dairy operations have received word that their cheese partner may be making financial changes that negatively impact their farms milk check.  Why?  A rare situation that happened between the price of barrel and block cheese in Chicago. Dr. Mark Stephenson, Dairy Economist at Wisconsin's Center for Dairy Profitability talks with Pam Jahnke and walks people through the situation, and...

Some Wisconsin dairy operators are wondering why they're being docked additional money because of the cheese market.  Dr. Mark Stephenson with the Center for Dairy Profitability says that the recent inversion of the barrel and block cheese price is causing disruption in Wisconsin's cheese companies and cooperatives.  He explains what's happening with Pam Jahnke. Weather is helping Wisconsin farmer...

The 95th National FFA Association is gathering for its annual convention in Indianapolis.  Jill Welke gives us a preview with Cheryl Zimmerman, Wisconsin FFA Executive Director, who's also served as the interim National FFA Advisor.  They're expecting record attendance! It's Wyffels Wednesday!  Pam Jahnke visits with regional manager, Dave Rolli, about how the harvest is progressing and what varie...

Erica Sawatzke is a sixth-generation turkey producer in West Central Minnesota. She is also the poultry representative and president of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Sawatzke says despite headwinds in the industry, such as inflation and avian influenza, consumers shouldn't worry about empty turkey chests at the grocery store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might not be as crazy as you think.  That noise you hear in your walls and attic that sounds like a bear cub, could actually be a mouse, bat, raccoon or squirrel. Nick Hemesath, Wildlife Manager at KwikKill  Pest Control, explains more about animals getting in your home, what to do when they are, and how to prevent it in the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Gruett is in a real bind, he’s the service and general manager as well as a co-owner at Waupun Equipment. So what’s the problem? Like many shops out there, he can’t find enough skilled service techs to meet the needs of his customers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you seen pests in your home this fall? They’re going to continue forcing their way into our homes during the fall months. PJ Liesch, the director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab and state entomologist, also known as the Wisconsin Bug guy, shares more about what insects we can expect to see and covers some spooky behaviors they have that actually helps farmers just in time for Hallowee...

Ladysmith beef producer Brady Zuck is the president of the Wisconsin Cattlemen Association. He says input costs from fuel to fertilizer are slimming margins for producers. Cattlemen and women are also facing supply chain disruption that limits equipment part availability. This is despite the high demand for beef and high prices at the grocery store. WCA supports policy to improve local processing...

Regina Dilger is the Brown Swiss Queen of Germany. She spent 10 days in the U.S. earlier this month. Her visit included World Dairy Expo, Oktoberfests and dairy farm tours. In the interview, Dilger says she visited nearly a dozen Wisconsin dairy farms and was impressed by the size and breeding technologies. She and her translator Alfred Heinzler explain that the German government wants organic far...

Wyffels Regional Manager, Dave Rolli, visits with Pam Jahnke on this edition of Wyffels Wednesday.  Thanks to warmer, drier weather - corn is finally drying down and ready for the combine.  Rolli gives us a rundown on his harvest observations, and what hybrids are popping up as true performers. Rolli also explains why Wyffels is asking their client to "Plant Your Independence." See omnystudio.com/...

Wisconsin pork producers are anxiously waiting on the verdict from the U.S. Supreme Court on Prop 12 out of California.  Charitee Seebecker talks to AV Roth, pork producer from southwest Wisconsin, who explains what's at risk in Prop 12 comes into effect. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group highlights some of the upcoming auctions scheduled in Wisconsin.  Regular paid program from the Steffes Group...

A Wisconsin dairy farmer was recognized as Industry Person of the Year by World Dairy Expo 2022.  Shelly Mayer, dairy producer and long-time executive director of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, received the accolades.  Bob Bosold talks to her about the award and her tenure as a dairy leader. October's about more than Halloween.  Carrie Mess chats with Keri Retallick, executive director...

Jamie Vander Molen is the Vice President of Sustainability Initiatives at Newtrient. I got the chance to catch up with her during World Dairy Expo to check in on where we are at with carbon credits and what farmers should be watching for. She also shares about how Newtrient got it’s start as a dairy industry collaboration.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Input costs, dairy margin coverage, trade, and bold flavors – these are some of the obstacles and opportunities that Associated Milk Producers Inc. has its eye on. Co-president and CEO Sheryl Meshke tells Mid-West Farm Report about what they want to see in the 2023 Farm Bill. She also reflects on her leadership role since 2014 and what's stayed the same or changed in that time. Beginning in Januar...

Between changing markets, weather, and supply chain issues, farmers have faced concerns this season. However, fall harvest is underway and farmers are working diligently to get their crops to market.  Josh Grunnet, Grain Merchandiser in Western Wisconsin, says that although corn started out a bit wet, it is drying down and yields are looking good. He shares more about the crop quality he’s seeing...

Nick Thone is a grain originator out of Ixonia. A majority of soybeans in his region -- Jefferson, Ixonia and Waupun -- are shipped via barge for the export market. With low water levels, barges can't be filled as full -- sometimes even half of the normal loads. The cost of barge freight is impacting the ability of terminals to make a margin on sending grain to the Gulf. This in turn hurts the Wis...

Rex Moseley is the 90 year old owner of Rex Moseley’s Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Warrens. Each year he donates a semi load of apples to food pantries. He shares more about this event each year, but first we talk about his operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the supreme court hearing arguments on California’s Prop 12, there’s a lot of questions unanswered in the minds of Wisconsin’s pork farmers. Keri Retallick joins us to share more about what Prop 12 means. She also gives us an update on October Pork Month and the Passion for Pork initiative that started during the pandemic.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have fuel prices been giving you whiplash? ACE Ethanol and Fox River Valley Ethanol President Neal Kemmet says this has been a unique year for gas prices -- the numbers are susceptible to headlines, and there are more factors at play besides supply and demand. For ethanol producers, when prices go up, people stop driving, and that lowers the demand for renewable fuels. On the flip side, ethanol is...

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative will start its appreciation dinners and meetings mid-November. General Manager Jeff Lyon expects the conversation to circle around input costs and labor, including immigration. Federal Milk Marketing Orders will also make the list from a national perspective. Lyon says the process to reform FMMOs will be drawn out as dairy groups continue to work on something to put in...

No matter where they farm - farmers are connected to the weather.  Stephanie Hoff visits with an Utah dairy operator who's faced some hot weather this growing season, and has witnessed how it's changing the face of Western agriculture. There's already a buzz about potential shortages of Thanksgiving turkeys this year because of highly pathogenic avian influenza's impact on the poultry industry.  P...

The 95th annual National FFA Convention is on its way.  This year is special for Spencer native, Cortney Zimmerman, who will be wrapping up her term as Central Vice President of the National FFA Officer Team.  Jill Welke talks with her about future plans and what she's learned and experienced. There's a little lull in auction activity - but not for long.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group talks w...