MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

This year, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is focused on two key areas: broadband expansion and transitioning to clean energy, according to Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. She tells the Mid-West Farm Report affordability is a key factor as PSC moves ahead on their goals.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does agriculture have to watch out for?  Jill Welke talks with Damian Maison, ag speaker and comedian, about the big questions being discussed like carbon credits and solar grids.  Will agriculture be poised to benefit, or be taken advantage of? National FFA Week begins on Saturday, and chapters have gotten creative about how they're trying to engage with the public and encourage st...

People don't think about college students going hungry - but it happens.  UW-River Falls has launched a campaign to try and make food available to struggling students.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to Kathleen Hunzer, organizer of Freddy's Pantry at UW-River Falls. National FFA Week celebrations continue across the state.  Today Stephanie Hoff talks with DeForest FFA President, Natalie Hen...

Paying attention to details matters in Washington, DC, when it comes to ag policy.  Bob Bosold talks to WI Senator, Tammy Baldwin, about details she's monitoring on everything from trade agreements to language used on everyday food products that matters to agriculture. This erratic weather is causing problems for Wisconsin's maple syrup producers.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Theresa Barou...

Happy National FFA Week! Natalie Hensen is the president of the Deforest FFA Chapter. They are showcasing everything agriculture has to offer to a primarily suburban student population. Only six students in the school live on a farm -- she's one of them. This celebratory week falls on a short school week this year, but that means the fun is amplified. Today, the FFA is selling bowls of ice cream f...

Grassland 2.0, a new collaborative group based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is working to create more opportunities for grazing in an effort to help restore soil health and transform farming systems in the Upper Midwest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Avian Influenza (AI) can be carried by wild birds, which means any flock no matter how large or small is susceptible to the virus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regenerative agriculture is a practice that focuses on the connection between farming practices and the ecological system as a whole in an effort to help reduce the effects of climate change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They may not be as apparent or pronounced, but supply chain issues can still impact Wisconsin dairy operators.  Pam Jahnke talks with Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin about the new awareness consumers and processors have about where their food comes from. Bob Bosold talks to Brent Musser from Alcivia Coop Talk about their tactics in filling available jobs within the coop, and w...

The price of commodities is top of mind for ethanol plants because it determines what growers will put into the ground this spring. Roland Koenig is the commodities manager at Marquis Energy. He says the favorable cash corn prices (more than $6 per bushel) makes it easy for ethanol plants to purchase corn from farmers. He says there was talk of growers planting more soybeans this spring because of...

Tammy Simon, the vice president of the Institute for Quality, Innovation & Patient Safety at Marshfield Clinic Health System gives the Mid-West Farm Report a health care update. She says COVID-19 cases have been going down in rural Wisconsin, which is good news. The bad news is that Marshfield Clinic is seeing more pediatric cases. The message from providers continues to be: get vaccinated. In...

The governor may have presented a "state of the state" address last night, but work's not done at the state house.  Bob Bosold talks to Jordan Lamb, partner with DeWitte Law and ag lobbyist, about 2 critical bills remaining that would help with nitrate management across the state. Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group updates Pam Jahnke on how many sales they're preparing to conduct in the month...

Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association Executive Director Theresa Baroun says Wisconsin's weather patterns this time of year have producers juggling the best time to start tapping trees. Baroun will begin tapping at her De Pere sugarbush Maple Buzz and Maple Sweet Dairy this weekend. She explains why weather is such a determining factor. She also shares that supply chain challenges could lead...

Jill Welke talks with economist Dan Basse, who says the world is facing a commodity super cycle. That means we've produced a record grain crop, but are consuming more than we've produced. He predicts a bullish market into 2023 and 2024. Brazil and surrounding countries are seeing record heat and dryness, recording an average of 107 degrees for one week. Stephanie Hoff and Jen P...

They are the “little helpers” around the farm. Kids watch, learn and start doing what you do. However, is that child ready – mentally, physically and emotionally – to do that task? An injury to a child, no matter what age, has significant consequences to the family. On Wednesday, Feb. 16, join Extension Ag Safety Specialist Cheryl Skjolaas as she discusses farm safety...

The Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo recognized some of the state best growers in WI Dells.  Bob Bosold talks with UW-Extension Soybean Specialist, Dr. Shawn Conley, about results. Legislation is quietly moving through the nation's capitol that could ultimately make mink farming illegal.  Stephanie Hoff gets a quick update with Valerie Zimbal of Zimbal Mink on how they're battling to snuff out th...

Super Bowl Sunday is big business for the food industry and that includes Wisconsin's dairy industry.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to former Green Bay Packer, Leroy Butler, about all the Wisconsin cheese you can feature during your Super Bowl entertaining. There's new leadership in place for the Wisconsin Farmers Union.  Rick Adamski from Seymour, was elected president during their virtual 91s...

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has had a staffing shortage long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but is now dealing with virtual office spaces and generational changes when looking for new employees.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gray wolves are back on the endangered species list, which hasn’t come as great news to some of Wisconsin’s farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flavored milk is still in school programs, but what schools can be reimbursed for through the USDA is a constant discussion that often flips from one side to the next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pittsville Fire Department has had a partnership with the National Farm Medicine Center since the '80s. Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor says this has allowed programming and training to train fire and EMS personnel to respond to farm accidents and emergencies. This includes barn fire prevention. He lists actions you can take today to prevent a barn fire. But what if there is a fire? He...

Lucas Lentsch, the chief federation officer at DMI, says dairy farmers are doing everything they can to control input costs and economic viability, so the checkoff dollars coming out of their milk check better be working for them. A challenge and opportunity for DMI is to tell the story of supply chain disruption to consumers, whether that be through 'just-in-time' marketing or innovations like sh...

Dean Kate VandenBosch is getting ready to exit her role at UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences.  Pam Jahnke talks to her about what she's most proud of about her tenure, and what she'll be doing next. Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee has supplied some additional funding the state's ag export efforts and UW-Extension staffing positions, plus there's efforts to try and financially inc...

Rick Adamski of Seymour was elected as the new president of Wisconsin Farmers Union during the family farm organization’s annual board of directors reorganization meeting February 9th. Westby dairy farmer Darin Von Ruden, who had served as president since 2010, was re-elected to serve as District 5 Director but has shifted to the role of vice president.  Aaron Zimmerman had the chance t...

With climate change at the forefront of conversation, Wisconsin policymakers are looking into ways to make farming more sustainable.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.