MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The market for ginseng has struggled over the past few years between tariffs, foreign laws and the pandemic, according to the head of the Ginseng Marketing Board. Bob Kaldunski notes Wisconsin is the top producer in the nation for ginseng with consumers primarily in East Asia. Bob is a grower himself in Marathon with retirement approaching, and overall grower numbers are declining. See omnystudio....

Wisconsinites are coined as 'Cheeseheads'. Our state license plates say America’s Dairyland. But believe it or not, in other countries we’re known for other commodities, such as ginseng. Wisconsin is the No. 1 producer of ginseng in the nation. And across the globe, Wisconsin ginseng is known as the top-quality stuff. Bob Kaldunski is a grower from Marathon. He’s been producing ginseng for 40 year...

Where is the next generation of local butchers and meat processors coming from?  It's a question Wisconsin's struggled with since before the pandemic - and still struggles.  It's a rigorous business that requires skill and is heavily monitored because you're dealing with people's food! Now, Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade...

So you love Wisconsin beer, but what about the key ingredient that goes into it? Hops! And Wisconsin can grow it pretty well. Bob Conant and his brother operate Bohica Hops in Tomah, a 5-acre hop yard. He says the hop crop looks good after a labor-intensive spring, but he's busy scouting for bugs and downy mildew until harvest in August. Growing hops is not a lucrative business here in Wisconsin,...

Smart phone apps, robotic milking, automatic feeding systems - the average Wisconsin farm today employs more technology than most households, and it looks like more is coming their way. Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) says they're working now to reach out to developing tech companies in the state to help find investors in their good ideas.  Qu...

The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center will celebrate their fourth anniversary with activities, animals, special guests and food samples July 28 through July 30. Access to the anniversary weekend events are included in regular admission to Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center – and kids get in FREE all weekend, when accompanied by a paying adult. Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center Program Manager, Abigail Wi...

In this heat wave, we know you’re worried about your livestock – and luckily there are resources for you to go to to help keep your animals safe and productive. Extension specialist and UW professor Dr. Jennifer Van Os says if you think it’s hot outside, it’s definitely too warm for your dairy cattle. She says a 68 on the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is too much heat for cattle -- this equates...

Concerns over the future of the Farm & Industry Short Course in Wisconsin were a few of the conversations that Wisconsin State Senator, Joan Ballweg, had during WI Farm Technology Days.  She tells Pam Jahnke that it appears there won't be any resolutions yet this year - but there are new options being discussed for 2023. She's also been visiting with other Midwest ag leaders during a conferenc...

One family farm being recognized as a Century Farm at the State Fair in August belongs to Jim and Ginny Joyce. Their Marquette County farm started off as a dairy farm when it was first acquired and stayed that way for quite some time, but Jim has memories of raising and butchering chickens throughout his childhood with his 9 siblings. He explains that hard work was a core value for his family, and...

Most farms you visit probably have a dog.  Some dogs are greeters and companions - while others actually contribute by working for the farm.  Allison Lund talks to Lori Perry from the Working Stock Dog Association about how much work goes into training a viable work dog. Wisconsin corn and soybean growers aren't real thrilled with their crops so far this year - and apparently, neither are our WI S...

There's a movement to try and encourage more farmers to consider bringing livestock back out on pasture.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Laura Paine, grazing specialist, about a new initiative to re-introduce livestock to cover crops and pasture. Dairy Cares is moving toward the $2 million mark when it comes to funds donated to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.  Deric Duquaine, founding member of the gro...

Drones have turned into a critical tool for farmers, and now they're becoming an important partner in fighting fires.  Bob Bosold talks to firefighter, Noah Wallace, about the technology and everything it can offer when battling a blaze. It's going to be a hot, sticky week in Wisconsin just as the winter wheat harvest is about to begin.  Allison Lund talks to UW-Extension Farm Safety Specialist, J...

Colleges across Wisconsin are looking ahead to the fall semester and are beginning to anticipate class sizes. With this year being the first "normal" year back from the pandemic, colleges are also looking to bring back pre-pandemic opportunities, such as travel.  Dr. Dale Gallenberg is the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science at UW-River Falls. He gives a look at enr...

Strawberries had a shorter season this year. Darrell Schoeneberg is the patriarch of Creek Bed Country Farmacy in Poynette -- an agritourism destination offering berries, peaches, pumpkins and more for families. He says the dry winter and cool spring made an impact on the berries, putting everything two weeks behind. The strawberry crop is 50 percent what it was last year, he says. And they've nev...

WALSAA is the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Formed in 1972, WALSAA is celebrating 50 years of dedication to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). President, Taylor Fritsch, talks about the 1600 alumni membership base that come together to network, enjoy fellowship and raise scholarship funds for current CALS stud...

It can be easy to get caught up in life and stressed out, but one option for unwinding and managing mental health involves small four-legged friends: goats! Abigail Lippmann is the owner of Oak Hollow Acres and Serenity Soap Works. She shares more about the goat therapy sessions that her farm offers.  It's Wednesday! Pam Jahnke visits with Steffes Group. In a paid program, Ashley Huhn gives an upd...

So far so good now in the hemp garden as we approach the harvest. Florence Degenhardt is a hemp grower out of Greenwood, Wisconsin called Cannabis Cultivators of Clark County. Florence, her husband, and her three adult children grow 210 plants to make CBD products. She shares a crop update with Mid-West Farm Report -- the plants are slightly behind, but healthy. See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs. Farmers and ranchers who are elected to serve on FSA county committees apply using their judgment and knowledge to help with the decisions necessary to administer FSA programs in their counties, ensuring the needs of...

Amy Pechacek with the Department of Workforce Development is dedicated to helping individuals with a disability get a job and keep a job. She shares more on the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and their impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With fair season in full swing, now is the perfect time to learn about the animal projects that exhibitors put so much hard work into. However, it is also time for those young exhibitors to learn and grow within their project areas.  Theresa Christen is a county fair rabbit judge and an American Rabbit Breeders Association judge. She shares more about how she works to educate young rabbit exhibito...

Congressman Tom Tiffany has played a vital role in the Farm Act, ensuring farm families are able to pass their farm onto future generations and the Wolf Delisting Bill. He shared more on his work with pressing agriculture issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many people facing retirement - both in towns and out on the farm - the ideal is to stay in your home.  Unfortunately, if there's unforeseen physical challenges or restrictions, old farm houses are not very "friendly" to retiring in place.  Pam Jahnke talks with Abe Degnan of Degnan Design, Build, Remodel in DeForest, about how to plan for staying in your home once you retire. Wisconsin Farm T...

With the summer heat, farms across Wisconsin are looking for ways to keep their livestock cool and comfortable.  Focus on Energy is helping with those situations by providing rebate incentives for farms looking at upgrading or revamping their barn fan systems. Pam Jahnke talks with Kevin Weiler at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days about how easy it is to discover those rebates.  Weiler also explains...

First it was the pandemic - now it's rising inflation.  Wisconsin's independent grocers are pivoting again to try and keep product on store shelves that's affordable for consumers. Brandon Scholz, executive director of the WI Grocers Association says inflation isn't the only challenge.  Supply chain issues and available employees continue to muddy the water of operating a store. See omnystudio.com...

Randy Romanski, Secretary of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, helped kick off Wisconsin Farm Technology Days at the Opening Ceremony on July 12th. Aside from the show, he gave an update on the work he's doing with the Department of Workforce Development to bring up the next generation in the workforce.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.