MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Wisconsin is known for not only its beer consumption, but its beer production.   Charitee Seebecker catches up with Dan Carey, Master Brewery owner/manager for New Glarus Brewery about ingredient sourcing and world events.  He also talks about trends he's seeing in grains and hops used. Cattle producers are still worried about margins and updates for 2023.  Chad Smith visits with Randy Blach from...

Winning Supreme Champion Cow is a huge honor that takes a lot of work back home on the farm to prepare. But winning the Supreme Champion title in both the open and junior shows in the same year is a whole nother honor.   Ashley Sears Randle, did just that in 2007 with her bred and owned cow, Pistachio Pie. She shares more about that experience and how it has led her to where she is today in the ag...

Dan Olson, Owner of Forage Innovations joins us to share more about different types of multi species seed blends for both forage and cover crop situations. He also gives us an update on seed production difficulties and availability.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DHS got a five-year grant from the CDC to prevent suicide in the state -- and those dollars will make their way to rural communities. Chief Medical Officer for Community Health Dr. Jasmine Zapata says they will be targeting two groups with the highest suicide attempt rates: Wisconsin females ages 10-19, and rural Wisconsin males ages 25-64. Rural Wisconsin males have the highest rate of death by s...

Farmers know that keeping good records is vital to their business. However many livestock farmers are facing a unique challenge due to yet another supply chain issue. Ear tag orders are backed up 6 months or more from being shipped to farmers and that’s causing headaches for many. Julie Sweney, board member with the WI Livestock Identification Consortium shares more.  See omnystudio.com/listener f...

As Wisconsin farmers prepare for colder weather, Focus on Energy is here to remind you about the financial incentives available for improving energy efficiency in your operation this upcoming heating season.  Pam Jahnke visits with Jessica Mlsna, a Focus on Energy Advisor that helps cover the state. Today we are going to talk about: Heating Equipment Incentives Agribusiness Heating Fuel Bonus Grai...

This fall, DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski joined the 2022 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual meeting. It included discussions with federal government officials and conversations with state secretaries, commissioners, and directors from across the country. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack gave remarks about the importance of the agricultural workforce and the many careers ava...

Football games, fall parties, Halloween, and the upcoming holidays are cheese spread's bread and butter. Mike Kraemer is the third-generation owner of Kraemer Wisconsin Cheese based in Watertown, producing 20 different flavors of cold-pack cheese spread. He's gearing up for the busy season. He says consumers want unique flavors at an affordable price, which he's been trying to achieve amidst high...

The Meyer family of Chilton is hosting Madrid native Iris Medina for the school year. Before coming to Wisconsin as an exchange student, Medina had never interacted with a dairy cow. She says she never knew how hard farmers worked — and she never thought cows would be the stars of a show! At World Dairy Expo, she’s also met people from her home country and has learned a thing or two about dairying...

Like humans, there are Fitbit-like devices that dairy cattle wear all day long. More accurately, these devices are known as automated health monitoring systems.  CowControl helps detect if a cow is in heat, when she’s inactive, eating, ruminating, location, and much more. This helps farmers to manage their herd and notice ailments before the physical signs of sickness occur.  Tera Baker, Marketing...

Maybe you’ve grabbed a pickle-in-a-pouch for a midday snack, but have you ever thought about where it started? Van Holten’s Pickles in Waterloo works with farmers growing a unique crop. Demand for pickles has increased, so they’ve grown the area where their cucumbers come from, says Operations Manager Bruce Dorn. National Dairy Shrine President Janet Keller says they're giving a nod to the next ge...

The National Dairy FARM Program is getting to work on version 5.0 and they are looking for input from dairy farmers and industry stakeholders. Beverly Hampton Phifer, the Stakeholder Relations Manager for the National FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program at National Milk Producers Federation joined us during World Dairy Expo to share more about what the FARM program is, what the...

Dr. Jeff Bewley sat down with us during World Dairy Expo to share the results of a study recently released by Holstein Association USA. The study looked at over a million cows and compared type scores with productivity and longevity. While it’s not news that well put together cows generally last longer, this study was able to quantify just how much more milk those correct cows but in the tank and...

The National Dairy Shrine is an American dairying group founded in 1949 and based in Wisconsin. The shrine promotes the dairy industry and records its history. New president Janet Keller says they're also giving a nod to the next generation. This was the first year the board included a college student. And Dairy Shrine is also piloting student chapters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Every day 33 children are injured on farms and ranches. However, children raised on farms also enjoy certain social and health benefits. This is a prime example of what researchers call the “Farm Kid Paradox,” explains Kyle Koshalek, project manager at the National Farm Medicine Center on the Farm Kid Paradox Project. With chronic wasting disease spreading across the state, your hunt could be impa...

Edge Dairy Cooperative is committed to amplifying the voice of their members to deliver maximum value and positive outcomes for dairy farmers.  Travis Senn, Digital Communications Manager at Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative shares more about the priorities of Edge and their sustainability work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two risk management specialists join us this morning. Just in time for Cybersecurity Month, Jen Pino-Gallagher with M3 Insurance says instances of cyber crimes continue to rise -- and farms are at risk. Last year, the FBI had a record number of complaints with potential losses reaching nearly $7 billion. Dairy analyst and broker Owen Feenstra with ever.ag encourages producers to put their money wh...

With its refreshing smell and vibrant flowers, lavender is among the most easily recognizable plants. It's also one of the most versatile herbs you can grow because it has medicinal, aesthetic, and culinary purposes. Aaron and Laura McReynolds moved to Wisconsin in 2014 and purchased land to begin their lavender farm in 2015. Now, New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm is doing well and provides visito...

In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, DATCP has launched a new meat industry curriculum for Wisconsin agricultural education programs. Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski shares more about the Meat Talent Development Program and how it helps students learn about potential career opportunities. Green County Humane Society Executive Director Matt Mullen says while they hav...

Friends of Schumacher Farm Park President Mark Pelton is inviting you to Halloween at the Farm on Oct. 22 from 4-8 p.m. Admission: $10/adult, $5/children ages 5-15, ages 4 and under are free. Fun for the family includes marshmallow roasting at the campfire, storytelling in the chicken coop, fortune telling in the hog barn, games and crafts, fiddle band in the historic barn, face painting and more....

Dairy farming in the U.S. certainly varies by region. Weather patterns, altitude, resources and government all play a role in the successes and challenges dairies face. Brad Bateman co-owns Bateman Mosida Farms in Alberta, Utah with his family. They are about an hour south of Salt Lake City. He talks about some of the key obstacles in dairying out West, from weather to water. He also shares the tr...

Division of Extension Conservation and Nutrient Management Specialist Kevin Erb joins the Mid-West Farm Report with word that manure application is back on track after being behind due to a late start to the corn silage harvest. As farming operations grow, manure application gets more complex. Instead of tractors on the road hauling manure, it's semis. Instead of topical application, it's injected...

With feed ingredient prices climbing Drew Johnson, an independent dairy consultant in Western Wisconsin, shares some of the smart swaps and moves he’s seen farmers make. From adjusting ration inclusions based on falling protein prices, updates on some of the possible byproducts out there, and plans for spring planting, he shares what he sees as the best options to better manage feed inputs. The 20...

Wisconsin is in the middle of the fall tourism season. The Department of Tourism invites people to make memories of a lifetime with friends and family and enjoy these moments that are readily available in Wisconsin. Anne Sayers, Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, shares more about what the department is doing to support Wisconsin agritourism destinations and the importance...

With chronic wasting disease spreading across the state, your hunt could be impacted. As you're getting ready to head out to the woods -- here's what you should be thinking about according to the DNR: Will you consume the venison? Is there CWD in your area? What age is the deer I'm targeting? DNR Wildlife Health Conservation Specialist Amanda Kamps shares how your plans may change due to CWD, and...