MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Jill Welke talks with Jean Brokish, the Midwest program manager for American Farmland Trust. She explains what carbon markets are and what the relationship looks like between the companies that purchase carbon credits from farms. Real estate is hot! Steffes Groups joins the Mid-West Farm Report to talk about their most recent dairy facility auction. Randy Kath also previews upcoming sales. The WPS...

In preparation for the selection of the 75th Alice in Dairyland, we’re giving you a chance to meet the candidates. The Alice in Dairyland Finals will be held May 19-21 in Dane County. The 75th Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 5. The Mid-West Farm Report sat down with the six top candidates after they were announced earlier this month. One of the top candidates getting read...

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is again offering the opportunity for students to be involved in the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council.  It offers students the chance to learn more about Wisconsin ag and careers, as well as network with others in the industry.  Secretary of Agriculture, Randy Romanski shares details about the program and that he's...

In preparation for the selection of the 75th Alice in Dairyland, we’re giving you a chance to meet the candidates. The Alice in Dairyland Finals will be held May 19-21 in Dane County. The 75th Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 5. The Mid-West Farm Report sat down with the six top candidates after they were announced in March. One of the top candidates getting ready for the 75th...

While on his travels through Hawaii, Bob Bosold had the chance to learn more about pineapple production.  He caught up with Mo, a pineapple grower on the island of Maui.  Pineapple production has been greatly reduced in Hawaii over the recent past and just a few plantations still exist. Farmers and agriculturists are always watching the weather.  Why not contribute to the accuracy o...

Angie Larsen manages business development at Fox Cities Builders, a general contractor for ag buildings. She says it’s business as usual despite higher prices and longer lead times. Farms need buildings regardless of supply chain disruption as they work to produce food sustainably and more efficiently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are continually getting closer to planting season.  Once work starts in the fields, many more tractors and implements will be on the roads.  Stephanie Hoff chats with Lt. Bill Berger of the Wisconsin State Patrol to discuss safety tips for both farmers and other drivers on the road. PDPW is offering another opportunity for our youth in agriculture.  Shelly O'Leary shares details...

Don't let this money sit. The head of Wisconsin's Rural Development Office, Julie Lassa shares what's available for producers to apply for. The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program ( DUE APRIL 11 ) helps eligible processors expand their capacity: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/508_rd_factsheet_mppep.pdf The Value-Added Producer Grant ( DUE APRIL 25 ) helps producers enter int...

Jill Welke talks to Equity Livestock CEO Curt Larson about the cooperative celebrating 100 years. Larson also shares that the markets have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This is due to supply chain issues such as the lack of truckers. And livestock is currently in a down cycle, which isn't expected to turn around until late 2023, he says. New at Equity -- organics, which Larson describes as...

Carbon markets -- it’s a fairly new phrase that we’ve been getting used to and learning more about. Indigo Ag is a player in that space. Indigo Ag offers farmers technology to track their carbon credits. And they connect credit buyers with the carbon credit supply chain. Ryan Stockwell is the senior manager of grower and partner advocacy for Indigo Ag. He shares what carbon markets ent...

Mary Ledman, a global dairy strategist with Rabobank, gives the Mid-West Farm Report an update on milk production worldwide. The regions that account for 80 percent of the dairy trade are experiencing lower milk production than the year before. It's not a trend, but due to several factors, including the climate. This is driving prices up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Zimmerman meets with two National FFA officers as they travel through Wisconsin connecting with student members and industry supporters. Wisconsin native Cortney Zimmerman shares her experience traveling across the nation learning about how other FFAs operate and how to share the story of agriculture in the best way. Jackson Sylvester thanks supporting businesses, such as Culvers, for making...

Jill Welke talks with USDA Deputy Administrator Dana Coale about where Federal Milk Marketing Order reform has been and where it could be going. She says the pandemic unveiled flaws with the current system when farmers saw negative producer price differentials on their milk checks. She says dairy producers should stay tuned to the Farm Bill and what changes will be made to FMMO in that piece of le...

The International Association of Fairs & Expositions Section 4 Annual Convention in La Crosse is underway. Marla Stello, La Crosse Interstate Fair manager, says as fairs face obstacles going into the 2022 season -- from animal diseases to supply chain disruption -- the largest opportunity fairs have for success is marketing. Marketing and sharing the fair story is the focus of this year's Sect...

Being a relatively new industry in Hawaii, cacao and chocolate production is alive and well.  Bob Bosold was able to chat with Mike Rogers, owner of 21 Degree Estate to learn more about the industry and what it takes to make top quality chocolate in Hawaii. The PDPW Business Conference was held last week in the Wisconsin Dells.  One of the hands-on learning sessions covered hoof and foot...

We didn’t get much snow this winter, but that doesn’t mean moisture won’t come this spring. However, you can expect more severe storms and hotter temps this summer. This is the forecast from Eric Snodgrass, an atmospheric scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions. Meanwhile, ag players across the globe are experiencing floods (Australia) or drought (California and South America), impact...

It’s okay to talk about your feelings. That’s the message for rural Wisconsin from Jeff Ditzenberger who leads a mental health resource based in Green County. Jeff leads T.U.G.S., an acronym that stands for Talking, Understanding, Growing and Supporting. He’s a certified mental health coach with roots in the ag community. He farms near Argyle and is active in the Wisconsin Farm B...

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County. Samples were tested by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Wisconsin State Veterinarian, Dr. Darlene Konkl...

The DNR's education center in Poynette, the MacKenzie Center, showcases maple syrup production during the month of March and into April. The Maple Program targets school-aged kids on syrup production, history and culture. They tap over 100 trees. Program Director, Ariel Christian also highlights their upcoming Maple Festival happening on April 2. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

A Lodi, Wisconsin meat equipment company is being directly impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alkar is an international company that was in the middle of a deal for a hot dog processing machine worth about $8 million. That's now on hold because of Russia's invasion. Steve King, vice president of global sales at Alkar, explains the conversations they've been having. See omnystudio.com/lis...

Consumers reported losing a record-breaking $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021 for a 70 percent year-over-year increase, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in a new report. The losses stemmed from a variety of schemes. The largest number hinged on impostors: crooks who stole money from people by posing as romantic interests, government employees, relatives in distress, tech-support experts or othe...

Cover crops are the buzz this winter at farm meetings across the state.  Jill Welke catches up with Dr. Abbey Wick from North Dakota State on how farmer collaborations are expanding acres and ideas on what can be done with cover crops. Wisconsin has become the latest state that's detected a highly pathogenic version of Avian Influenza.  Aaron Zimmerman listened in as WI Ag Secretary, Ran...

Salt farming?  It's not something we're familiar with in Wisconsin but it's happening on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Bob Bosold visits with a producer that's capitalizing on the salt water surrounding the island and turning it into needed resources. Friday the WI Dept. of Agriculture announced the six finalists that want to become our next Alice in Dairyland.  Pam introduces the audi...

It's lambing time for a lot of shepherds across the state, including Todd Taylor, shepherd at the Arlington Ag Research facility.  Stephanie Hoff visits with him about how spring is going and what trends he's noticing in the industry and in the student population. Cong. Tom Tiffany - Wausau, has introduced legislation to try and finally remove the grey wolf from the endangered species list.&n...

Both farmers and motorists should be patient and alert this spring as more implements of husbandry begin sharing the road during planting season. Lt. Bill Berger with the Wisconsin State Patrol says passing is the No. 1 issue. Remember -- it's illegal to pass farm equipment in a no-passing zone regardless of the speed the equipment is traveling. And farmers with wide equipment are legally obligate...