MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Valerie Zimbal, representing the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association and her family's mink farm in Sheboygan Falls, says the House passing a provision to ban mink farming nationwide came as a huge shock to the industry. The provision was added to the America COMPETES Act. Wisconsin ranks first in the nation for the export of raw furskins, such as mink pelts. The provision was driven by animal...

Although the number of representatives from farming backgrounds in Washington D.C. is rapidly declining, conversations surrounding the agriculture community continue on capitol hill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin is still a production powerhouse when it comes to mink.  Stephanie Hoff gives us an industry update with Valerie Zimbal of Zimbal Mink in Sheboygan County. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Auction Group joins Pam Jahnke for an update on auction prices, planning and interest. Wisconsin's now looking for this year's Ambassador team members.  Kaitlyn Riley from the WI Beef Council say...

Technological advancement in potato farming drives improvements to the bottom line as well as helps meet that goal of better land stewardship. And no one can explain this better than Jeremie Pavelski, president of Heartland Farms and co-founder of Heartland Ag Tech. He's developed and implemented technology to monitor carbon, rain water, irrigation and nutrient leaching. He says there’s...

The Rural Health Initiative brings health care to your kitchen table. These visits are convenient and confidential for farmers to get their basic health care needs taken care of from getting a flu shot to checking blood pressure. The initiative is undergoing expansion into seven counties in Wisconsin, says Director Rhonda Strebel. She urges farmers to get a check-up and prioritize their preventati...

He may be best known as the 4-time pro bowl defensive back for the Green Bay Packers and the creator of the famous and fan favorite Lambeau Leap.  However, since his retirement from the NFL, LeRoy Butler is ‘tackling’ his love of food and sharing game-changing recipes.  He has teamed up with Wisconsin cheese to celebrate the big game.  Aaron Zimmerman was able to catch u...

It's a challenge many businesses are facing - finding employees.  The same is true in agribusiness.  Bob Bosold visits with Brian Musser, Talent Acquisition Advisor for ALCIVIA.  He's tapped into all kinds of programs to try and address the seasonal and non-seasonal demands for people power within ALCIVIA. Interested in a job with ALCIVIA?  Opportunities exist indoors and outdo...

Late winter and early spring are prime time for ag building fires. This is because feedstuffs are very dry, heaters are running, dust is building up and rodents are sheltering in your buildings. This is according to Megan Schossow of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. She shares simple steps to prevent a fire. 1) clean up that dust and debris 2) make sure your chemicals, fert...

With nearly one-third of university students nationally food insecure, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls recently opened Freddy’s Pantry in  Rodli Hall  to help provide grab-and-go foods for hungry students. Freddy’s Pantry in 268 Rodli Hall opened January 10, according to Kathleen Hunzer, Chancellor’s Scholars, Honor Program and Falcon Scholars director. Aaron Zi...

Legislation and laws that are in place in other states can become starters for policy in places like Wisconsin too.  Sometimes that's good - sometimes it's not.  Stephanie Hoff discusses how Prop 12 in California is changing the way not only pork producers look at their marketplace, but also how consumers pocketbooks are impacted.  Dr. Brenda Boetel, UW-River Falls professor provide...

For the sixth year in a row since Rural Mutual Insurance established the first-of-its-kind Farm Dividend Program, the company’s Board of Directors declared a 5% dividend on all eligible farm policies for 2021 farm policyholders. Over the past six years, Rural Mutual has paid out over $15 million to Wisconsin farmers as part of this program. Based on the company’s positiv...

Wisconsin agriculture is dependent on the international marketplace not just for buying, but also selling.  Aaron Zimmerman speaks with Ted McKinney, former USDA Trade Secretary now CEO of the National State Departments of Agriculture. The Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters got together in Rothschild over the weekend to celebrate agriculture educators and FFA supporters.  Aaron Zimmer...

Animal food is not the most likely way that African Swine Fever or another disease will enter the U.S., but it's possible. Leah Wilkinson is the vice president of public policy and education for the American Feed Industry Association. She says to prevent spreading ASF through the feed supply chain: exclude high-risk feed ingredients (research finds this is whole grains and seeds) and extend biosec...

Michelle McBride is the founder of GoodSport Nutrition, where she launched GoodSport. It's a first-of-its-kind natural sports drink. And It's been scientifically shown to provide rapid and long-last hydration. It's ultra-filtered milk, which means the proteins and fat (white color) are taken out, and the lactose is broken down. What's left are electrolytes and carbohydrates in a clear, lactose fre...

Mink are one of those animals susceptible to COVID. This is why Wisconsin, the nation's No. 1 mink producer, included mink farmers in one of the first waves of people eligible to get vaccinated. Luckily, biosecurity measures already in place prevented Zimbal Mink of Sheboygan Falls from having an outbreak. They face another challenge: decreased demand for furs. Valerie Zimbal says this is because...

Crop insurance is an important tool for farmers to keep in their tool box, but in order for it to be effective, you have to know how to use it. Deanna Ranum, Agent for Premier Insurance Solutions, says that it’s important for farmers to sit down with their crop insurance agents, work with them one on one, and explain the changes that are happening on their farm - all of which could impact th...

The Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters Association 42nd convention and annual meeting was held this weekend, February 4-5 at the Central Wisconsin Expo Center in Rothschild. This year’s convention theme was “Honoring our Heritage, Cultivating our Future,” as the association celebrated the 50th anniversary of their charter.  Aaron Zimmerman was able to catch up with Terri...

The Dairy Innovation Hub helps to drive research and continue to improve Wisconsin's dairy industry.  Taylor Schafer got the chance to visit with Heather White, faculty director for the Dairy Innovation Hub to find out what they've been up to and what they're looking forward to in 2022. Spring time means more baby animals on the farm.  It may be calves, lambs, piglets... or chicks! ...

Cedar Crest Ice Cream, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation announce the winner and finalists of the 2021 Cedar Crest Ice Cream Flavor Creation Contest. The finalists will receive a Cedar Crest Ice Cream party, and the Grand Prize winner will have an ice cream party and will be awarded $500. Knellsville 4-H Club, Ozaukee County created the winning flavor, Haystack, that features...

Even though it's still winter, it is never too early to start planning for crop insurance.  Farm director Pam Jahnke had the chance to visit with Deanna Ranum, crop insurance agent with Premier Insurance Solutions.  Many conversations are happening trying to make decisions with still so many unknowns for the upcoming growing season.  One thing we can say pretty confidently is it loo...

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is celebrating Wisconsin cheese this February, including with the Cheese is My Love Language campaign. With Valentine’s Day and National Pizza Day fast approaching, the focus is on Wisconsin Cheese - elevating restaurant menus and adding value for customers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 1900’s, agriculture was ready for new technology, including transitioning from steam engines to smaller and more affordable tractors.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Beef Council is searching for it’s second wave of Beef Ambassadors, who will provide grassroots advocacy for all things Wisconsin beef. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Southwest is seeing dairy farms come offline as the margins become too thin, according to Mark Stephenson, the director of Dairy Policy Analysis at UW-Madison. Unlike the Midwest, many farmers in the Southwest don't grow their own cattle feed. With feed prices going up, dairying is no longer financially viable. Cattle are exiting the market or moving to other parts of the country, including in...

Butter topped off in mid-January at nearly $3. While this is not an all-time high, Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at UW-Madison Mark Stephenson says it is knocking at the record-breaking door. He predicts high demand and low stocks of butter will keep prices high through the fall, when he says prices will likely increase again. He doesn't see the high cost of butter in grocery stores driving co...