MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Prices of calves, fertilizer, feed and more continue to rise - all while the US beef herd fell 2% from ‘21-’22. Troy Salzer, University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Ag production systems, says these price increases are not expected to change any time soon. Farmers instead need to implement better management strategies to help increase their profitability. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Mace Thornton, director of United Soybean Board communications and marketing, tells Mid-West Farm Report about the key priorities for soy checkoff dollars. The quick hits: domestic infrastructure, international markets and programs that support the fuel AND food soybean markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Springer, the 2022 Cattlemen of the Year, is a third-generation beef farmer who has been in the business for over 40 years. He currently serves on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) after his nomination from the WCA. He is a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, WCA, and Iowa County Cattlemen’s Association.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association was in Wisconsin for a summer farm tour.  Jill Welke visits with Don Schiefelbein about policy being developed in D.C. that needs to be monitored for its potential impact on beef production. Jim Dell is president and CEO of Alcivia Cooperative.  He visits with Pam on how the growing season's been handled by the Alcivia team and what market...

Don Schiefelbein, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President, was in attendance at the second stop in Clear Lake for the Cattlemen’s Education Series. He shares more about the policy NCBA is watching in DC, including the Securities and Exchange Commission’s interest in tracking carbon emissions through the food chain all the way back to producers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Wisconsin has seen an increase in ATV and UTV crashes, with 6 fatalities already this year. With these incidents comes a process for managing the situation and preventing further crashes.  Lt. Bob Kneeland, Recreation Warden Supervisor with Wisconsin DNR, explains how his team handles ATV/UTV crashes and shares how riders can stay safe on the road alongside cars.  See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

The order that prohibited the movement of poultry to all live events to help prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been lifted by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. That doesn’t mean everything will immediately return back to normal, though.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Culvers is on the road. They’ve started their cheese curd tour across the U.S. stopping in 17 cities. And for folks who may not know, those curds are coming from the heart of America’s Dairyland in eastern Chippewa County. LaGranders Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin is proud to be the sole supplier of Culver's cheese curds that are now touring the country. Ryan LaGrander shares more about the...

With well over 2,000 different breeds and styles of birds, there are endless color, size, and beauty options for exhibition poultry exhibitors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The roller coaster ride that's overtaken the stock market can make you sick - especially if funds you're depending on for retirement are upended.  Amber Miller, AARP Assoc. State Director of Community Outreach in Wisconsin shares some tools that might help give you direction. Check out the AARP Money Map.  An online resource that can help you get control and direction on your financial future. See...

Wisconsinites aren't the only ones facing summer storms -- flower producers in Central and South America, Africa and western Europe are also facing unique weather conditions, putting a pinch on some varieties of flowers. This is according to Tami Gasch of Brillion Blooms and president of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Florists Association. This is just one supply chain issue local florists are f...

The first cutting of alfalfa was reported at 84 percent complete, a week behind last year and a day behind the five-year average. The second cutting was 1 percent complete. All hay condition was reported 82 percent good to excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from last week. Clark County Extension Senior Outreach Specialist Richard Halopka gives Mid-West Farm Report a forage update, includin...

Ag Cooperative and food powerhouse, Land O'Lakes, has been present in the dairy showcase at grocery stores for a long time - but they're making a new push with shredded cheese and cubed chunks. Pam Jahnke visits with Heather Anfang, VP of U.S. Dairy Foods at Land O'Lakes about the label and the story behind it. John Hineberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing, explains recent drops in dairy...

It's not difficult to find cheese buying opportunities in Wisconsin, but this one's unique.  Jill Welke talks to the founders of "Cheese Brothers".  A unique cheese buying experience in Northwest Wisconsin. Career opportunities and educational options. That's what the 2022 Wisconsin State FFA Convention was all about, and Allison Lund found a special area trying to draw attention.  Logan Wells is...

Summer months bring about warm weather and severe weather incidents across Wisconsin. Although the weather is unpredictable, there are ways that people can prepare for those events and stay safe.  Andrew Beckett, Public Information Officer for Wisconsin Emergency Management in the Ready Wisconsin Campaign, outlines how to stay safe in high temperatures and severe weather situations this summer.  S...

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research are celebrating USDA’s direction of $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance. The additional $20 million in DBIA funding will support an expansion of the program’s service area to include Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. Currently, the program covers Ill...

As you drive the rural roads of Wisconsin, and note all the farms that populate that space - you should know that most of them are not generating enough money to stay afloat without off farm income.  That's the conclusion of a survey done by Dr. Steve Deller, Professor and Community Development Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics on the UW-Madison campus. He expl...

Innovation is key to any business, but especially food related products.  Taylor Schaefer talks with Anna Landmark or Landmark Creamery, about how they're focused on diverse products using cow and sheep milk. The 93rd WI State FFA Convention drew to a close Thursday with the announcement of the new state FFA president.  Allison Lund chats with Casey Denk of the Mondovi FFA - the new stat...

With temperatures in the danger zone this week, Wisconsin farmers need to take care of their livestock - and themselves.  Stephanie Hoff visits with Melissa Ploeckelman from the National Farm Medicine Center about what's at risk if you skip safeguards. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke that the auction business is as red hot as the weather.  They're so busy, they're act...

It may not be the state's largest crop, but it does draw attention.  Wisconsin's cherry producers say things are off to a relatively normal start.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Carrie Lautenbach-Viste, Lautenbach's Orchard in Door County about the crop. The 93rd Wisconsin State FFA Convention officially begins today at the Alliant Energy Center.  Allison Lund got a jump on activities, vi...

Trade policy is a difficult field to work in, especially if you don't visit or get to know the other trade partners involved.  Bob Bosold talks with WI Cong. Ron Kind about a recent trip he made to the European Union to investigate what trade options might be up for discussion. Pam Jahnke talks with Allison Demmer from Culver's about their 17 city food truck tour that will feature Wisconsin c...

U.S. Dairy Export Council is applauding the signing of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act by President Biden. The enactment of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act sets in motion a series of new rules and regulations regarding ocean carrier practices that the Federal Maritime Commission must implement over the course of the next year. U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Krysta Harden says last year, shipping challe...

FL Morris, a hemp grower from Monroe and co-founder of the South Central Hemp Cooperative, is optimistic about the hemp sampling transition from DATCP to USDA. She says a USDA-ran program means there will be more samplers (because the private sector is now involved) and less cost. Meanwhile, Scott Battuello of SwampBuck Farms in Montello is more cautious. He says while lower cost and more samplers...

McCain Foods, a leading supplier of frozen potato and snack food products, set a goal to implement regenerative agriculture practices across 100% of its potato acreage worldwide by 2030.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey found that on average, Wisconsin farms source 75% of their income from off-farm sources. Dr. Steven Deller from the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at the University of Wisconsin Madison says over time the dependency on off-farm income has increased, and is no longer desired just for insurance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.