MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Uncertainty and volatility - two phrases Wisconsin farmers have heard far too many times already in 2022.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Chad Hart, Iowa State Ag Economist, who's known as "Mr. Doom" with some of his forecasts.  He runs down all the elements that are factoring in on the prices farmers are seeing for both inputs and finished products. All farmers are getting anxious with the p...

Families across the state are gearing up for county fair season, but it's coming at an escalated cost this year.  Taylor Schaefer talks with Taylor Crouch, President of the WI Show Pig Association, about the extra expense families should prepare for if they're buying animals to exhibit at the fair. Dane County Farmers Market returns to the Capitol Square for its 50th season, Saturday.  P...

The clock keeps ticking on WI Farm Technology Days, this year hosted by Roehl Acres Dairy just outside of Loyal in Clark County.  Bob Bosold talks to Dennis Roehl, the lead family member helping to get things in place, including brand new robotic milkers that will be featured for the first time at any WI Farm Tech Days show! Pam Jahnke visits with Jill Albanese, competitive events coordinator...

Following an already challenging year for apple production, the weather will continue to play a major role in yields growers see in 2022. That is, however, not the only challenge hindering production.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're looking for a free event to bring the family together, Northwoods Tractor Club has the answer: Old Time Plow Days 2022. Old Time Plow Days is May 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Polar Recreation Park in Antigo. The address is N2760 County Hwy S.  Admission is free. The event will be held rain or shine. Northwoods Tractor Club President Mike McDougal shares what this 11th annual event...

Cows aren’t the only contributors to the dairy industry in Wisconsin - a group has been working to grow the sheep dairy industry since 2012, but soon realized there wasn’t enough milk to sustain in cheese making. Starting their own flock seemed like the perfect solution.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven’t been thinking about the carbon market, you might want to start paying attention. Big food ingredient buyers, such as Nestlé, are turning toward a zero-carbon supply chain. Nestlé is one of the largest dairy buyers in the world. Dan Peerless leads sustainable sourcing at Nestlé. He shares why net-zero carbon is a priority, and why the company wants to keep...

In April alone, we’ve seen avian influenza in all corners of the state from southeastern Racine County to northwestern Barron County. And it's impacting flocks of all sizes from commercial producers to backyard hens – and wild birds in between. But a solution is on the way. Although it will take time to become available, Adel Talatt is developing a bird flu vaccine in his lab at UW-Mad...

Sometimes finding a place where they "fit in" is difficult for veterans returning to their community.  Agriculture has turned out to be a comfortable fit for many, but getting into agriculture provides unique challenges.  Jill Welke talks with James Paquette from WI Farmer Veteran Coalition about how they create a network of resources to try and help bridge the connection. The Alcivia Co...

Rain, wind, snow and storms pepper Wisconsin's landscape, making spring clean-up around the farm a challenge.  Pam Jahnke talks with UW-Extension Specialist, Kevin Erb, about how farms are working around the weather and supply chain issues that still plague manure management. Time for a Steffes Auction update with Ashley Huhn.  He tells Pam Jahnke about some Wisconsin specific sales that...

50 years and going strong!  That's the Dane County Farmers Market, which returns to the Capitol Square this weekend. Pam Jahnke talks with Dane Co. Farmers Market Manager, Jamie Bugel, about how they managed through the pandemic disruptions, and how vendors are preparing for a chilly start again this spring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The applications are in for the 2022 Century and Sesquicentennial Farms and Homestead recognition, scheduled at the Wisconsin State Fair. Pam Jahnke visits with Jill Alabanese, Commercial Exhibits Coordinator at the WI State Fair.  It looks like 79 farms/homesteads will be recognized for family ownership of 100 years, and 39 farms/homesteads will be recognized for making 150 years of family o...

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) is the group charged with managing Wisconsin Premise ID law - requiring anyone that has any hooved animals, birds, or even ponds of fish - to let them know where that animal/poultry/fowl/fish is housed!  It's law! Jodie Legge, Executive Director of WLIC, says that with all the attention avian influenza's brought to the state - more and...

Westby Cooperative Creamery has invested $1 million as a “whey” to become more resourceful in its cottage cheesemaking process. “Being the only cottage cheese manufacturer in Wisconsin, the Creamery takes great pride in turning its farmers’ milk into something that’s both good for you and good for the environment,” says Emily Bialkowski, sales and marketing mana...

More than 100 people joined an hour long conversation about the future of the Farm and Industry Short Course(FISC) in Wisconsin.  The program, over 140 years old, is planning for some major changes beginning this fall, pivoting from a for-credit education to a non-credit setting.  There's also considerable question about the on-campus residence experience that many graduates have conside...

What goes down your drain, and out your toilet may not be something you think about.  But all those byproducts end up somewhere - like the Madison Metropolitan Sewage District.  Stephanie Hoff talks with staff at Madison Metro Gro about how they're taking human waste and converting it to safe, field nutrients. Wisconsin's maple syrup season is drawing to a close after an erratic weather-...

Prices are rising across the board due to increased transportation costs, bottlenecks in the supply chain and labor shortages seen throughout the pork industry. 4-H and FFA exhibitors across the state are starting to feel the financial impact as the 2022 show season kicks off this spring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not just Wisconsin's weather that's causing challenges for the state's livestock owners and their manure management plans.  Kevin Erb, Conservation Professional Training Program Director, University of Wisconsin-Extension, says custom operators hired to apply those nutrients are working shorthanded, and may be waiting on equipment. Erb says he's been talking to nutrient management profes...

Hay supply looks pretty good for Wisconsin thanks to a great 2021 crop. But this spring’s drought means the first alfalfa cutting could yield less than years past. This is according to Dan Undersander. He's an emeritus forage specialist with UW Extension. He previews what the next few months' forage supply could look like. If you're looking to buy hay now, don't get cheated! Undersander shar...

Sustainability is more than just a phrase being used in conversations these days.  It's turning into a potential game changer for farms of all sizes, and the food processors they're working with. Timothy Baye is a Professor, Business Development/State Energy Specialist, with UW-Madison, who's been working in the carbon credit/sustainability arena for most of his career.  Today, Baye says...

There's a new face at the helm of the Wisconsin Farmers Union.  Rick Adamski took over the lead after Darren VonRuden, who served as president since 2010.  Adamski is a Shawano County farmer who shared his vision with Bob Bosold. Tuesday is the day for a listening session regarding the future of the Farm & Industry Short Course.  Hosted by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wis...

The 2022 syrup season got off to a slow start. But producers are finding that the weather has turned ideal for a longer season that stretches into April. Jim Adamski and his family operate Adamski’s Sugar Bush in Antigo. They yield up to 6,000 gallons of finished syrup each year. Adamski tells me about this year’s sap collection from both a supply chain and weather perspective. See omn...

For more than six years, one companies been working with Wisconsin farms to try and collect, and recycle farm plastic.  Price Murphy, Vice President, Strategic Sourcing & Operations for Revolution, says they're getting ready to launch a new product that will bring farm plastic recycling full circle. He talks with Pam Jahnke about the product and how they're continuing to help clean up aro...

Consumers have witnessed how quickly fuel prices have escalated in Wisconsin since the Russia/Ukraine battle began.  Wisconsin 9 ethanol production facilities have been pushing production to keep up with demand, and help ease some of the shock at the pump. Pam Jahnke visits with Erik Huschitt, CEO and General Manager of Badger Ethanol in Monroe, says that they've gone from nearly shutting dow...

With the upcoming Easter holiday, many cooks are looking for simple ideas that will help change up the menu.  Rhodes Bake-N-Serv doesn't disappoint with a variety of preparation options, and great recipe suggestions! Don't forget about their Customer Satisfaction Guarantee! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.