MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Steven Schleicher tells the story of his family's 160-acre century farm in Dane County. The farm was acquired in 1922. It was a dairy operation that has continued to stay in the family even today.  In 2000 they put a new milking parlor in and expanded the dairy to 75 cows. Today, the farm is still completely family owned and operated and with hopes to pass it on. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

They amaze people every fall.  Giant pumpkins.  Stephanie Hoff visits with giant pumpkin grower, Tom Matsma from Waupun about the skill it takes to grow these giants. It's been years since Wisconsin has kept an active record of farm accidents and fatalities that have occurred.  Now the National Farm Medicine Center along with other partners, are re-engaging in the data collection.  Charitee Seebec...

Cole Baerlocher, National FFA President, visits with Jill Welke about how his term has been evolving.  He says it's been hectic but exhilarating. The WI Dept. of Natural Resources is working to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors like they did during the pandemic.  Allison Lund visits with WI Dept. of Natural Resource Sec., Cole Preston, about fluctuations they've seen in attendance at state pa...

Steam engines are the powerful giants that once were cutting edge technology in agriculture and manufacturing.  Today, those steam engines are antiques that require special care to operate.  Allison Lund talks to Jeff Bloemers, Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Association, about the group that takes care of those aging giants. Farmers want to be part of the solutions when it comes to soil conserv...

Dairy farms could be the future of sustainable energy for rural communities.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Katie Grinstead from Vir-Claire Farms in Fond du Lac about the energy being generated through their methane digester. The Wisconsin State Fair continues in West Allis.  One educational element that's gone through some changes is the Discovery Barnyard where hands on learning about animal agric...

The cranberry is a little, red, tart fruit with a big punch, and Wisconsin produces more of this power-packed berry than any other state in the U.S. The timing of the harvest depends on the berry. Right now, harvesting berries as fresh fruit is the priority. Things are on tack for this year's harvest. Cranberry growers are getting harvest equipment ready  and waiting for the color to come out of t...

The Swerig Farm in Dane County still has remnants of not only its first settler but the Native Americans that lived there before that. Here's another story of a farm that is celebrating 150 years of operating in the same family, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial. Even the original stone barn is still in use as a stripping house for tobacco. Tade tells Mid-West Farm Report all about the...

In 10 Wisconsin counties, forestry is the No. 1 employer. Any mill closures or change in markets has a major impact on the economy. Chief State Forester Heather Berklund says the DNR's role is in all areas of the supply chain -- ensuring industry partners are supported, keeping forests healthy from invasive pests, working with landowners, and recruiting other forestry businesses to the state. The...

Today marks the first day of the first annual Wisconsin Hazelnut Week. The Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative has put together events to help folks learn more about growing and harvesting hazelnuts. Jason Fischbach is the Initiative director and an Extension specialist. He explains hazelnuts are a multi-use crop. The kernels, oils and meal can be used in a broad range of food products l...

Tim Schneider, the senior vice president of ag lending at Nicolet Bank, says the verdict is mixed. The sense is that the Federal Reserve won't be as aggressive in raising rates through the end of the year, but then it will stabilize. Some say inflation will be restrained and interest rates will fall in 2023. Either way, it's influencing purchasing habits. Schneider high construction costs coupled...

In 1943, University of Wisconsin Extension Safety Specialists began compiling an annual Wisconsin Farm-Related Fatality Report.  Unfortunately, every year Wisconsin’s agricultural community continues to suffer the loss of individuals who are engaged in farm work or a member of a family farm. Starting in 2020, the National Farm Medicine Center partnered with the University of Wisconsin Extension Sa...

Traditionally, caustic paste or a hot iron is used to singe off the cells that cause horns to grow in calves. Paste has grown in popularity in recent years with little to no research on how much of the product to use. Sylvia Kehoe, UW River Falls Professor of Dairy Science has been working on an adhesive patch technology for disbudding the cells that cause horns to grow. She shares more on what th...

La Crosse County Extension Specialist Heather Quackenboss says beware of recipes you see online, on Facebook, or on TikTok -- "dry canning" or "upside down canning" can cause food poisoning! She says there haven't been reports yet on canning supply shortages like we saw during the height of the pandemic. You can use plastic mayo jars or old pickle jars to freeze produce, but not to can for shelf s...

Farming is both a specialized industry and high risk when it comes to financials. That’s why one of the core functions of the Wisconsin Bankers Association is the Agricultural Lending School. This is a hands-on seminar for members to get a handle on today’s ag markets and farm balance sheets. The association’s director of education Lori Kalscheuer tells Mid-West Farm Report about enrollment number...

Every year the Badger Steam and Gas show has a tractor that they feature. This year they are working with Allis Chalmers to put on the “Gathering of the Orange (GOTO).  Allis Chalmers has their hand in a lot of manufacturing from chainsaws to refrigerators to dam generators producing electricity.   The Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club will be hosting the Gathering of the Orange, August 19-21 in Ba...

Congressman Tom Tiffany introduced the GRAIN for America Act . This legislation would place a 1-year moratorium on the enrollment of farmland in the Conservation Reserve Program, which pays farmers to leave land uncultivated. Congressman Tom Tiffany shares more on what the GRAIN for America Act is and how it will impact Wisconsin farmers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yahara Pride Farms group was formed about 10 years ago to better the water quality of Madison lakes and surrounding areas. Back then, one of the main focuses of the group was showing farmers how to incorporate cover crops. Now, its focus has shifted towards creating a network of farmers and non-farmers to help bridge the gap between farmers and the general public. Jeff Endres is the President...

Wisconsin's garlic harvest is just about wrapped up, and it looks like an average year for the state's garlic crop. Weather didn't seem to pose too many problems, and pests and diseases were kept at bay.  Angela Adams is the owner of Adams Garlic Farm in Cassville with her husband, Don. She shares more about how the crop looked this year and explains what kind of work goes into raising garlic in W...

A Wisconsin based band, Scotty Tyce and Power Take Off (PTO) has recently released a 4-song digital collection titled  Keep Truckin' . Scott was inspired by seeing how hard 4-H youth worked to care for their livestock projects, and he wanted to find a way to give back to them. For each song download, the band will donate the proceeds to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Scott, along with his vocalist,...

Some key priorities that remain for farmers are preserving their land from development and helping to better soil and water quality for the next generation. One farmer located just outside of Madison has embraced that theme.  Bob Uphoff is the Vice-Chair for Yahara Pride Farms, and he farms just outside of Madison in the Town of Dunn. He shares more about the farmland preservation agreements he ha...

Agritourism is the adventure of learning, tasting and experiencing the origins of food. Wisconsin’s farmers, ranchers and producers do it well, showcasing the state’s diversity through tours, farm stays, farm-to-table dining and more.  Sheila Everhart, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association shares more on fall agritourism, Wisconsin Agritourism Week, and what thei...

The Wisconsin Holstein Association is a not-for-profit membership organization with the purpose of promoting the Wisconsin Holstein registered breed and their breeders and owners. Each year the Wisconsin Holstein Association hosts the All-Breeds Futurity at the Wisconsin State Fair. Ana McCourt, the Wisconsin Holstein Association summer intern, shares what the futurity is, the work it takes to hos...

In the rolling hills of Green County you'll find the Burgy Family Farm nestled in near Monticello.  Originally the family came from Switzerland and worked their way to Green County. Since he was a small boy, Glen Burgy knew he wanted to be a farmer.  Today he's the fifth generation working the land, and he shares the family story and what his plans with Pam Jahnke. Burgy says the original farm had...

Fairs are full of opportunities to learn about Wisconsin agriculture. Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is diverse, vibrant, and vital to our communities, providing jobs and contributing more than $104.8 billion to our state’s economy every year. Wisconsin farmers are working every day of the year to produce safe, nutritious food products for you and for people around the world. The fair is the per...

Many Wisconsin farmers are already looking ahead at their cost of production for 2023.  Verity Business Solutions, within Alcivia Cooperative , is there to help. Wendy Meyer is the Agricultural Loan Manager for Verity Business Solutions.  She visits with Pam Jahnke about some special packages they've put together for 2023 spring inputs featuring interest rates as low as 0% Find out how you can par...