MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The meat sector is a highly skilled industry that is physically intense, and whose skills take time to perfect. In other countries, there are even two year long meat training programs because it takes that much time for processors to perform at such a high level. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renewable energy is here to stay, and can help your farm diversity income and better plan for the next generation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brody Stapel has been re-elected as the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative president. On his home farm in Cedar Grove, he says the labor situation has been okay. His family's dairy has diversified income with beef. He's been preparing for higher input costs this spring. He says dairy farmers will need every penny of today's Class III milk prices to meet the increased costs of fertilizers, equipment par...

Wisconsin Ginseng is most popular in China, but due to tariffs and travel restrictions their overall sales are down for this year. With the approach of the Chinese New Year and the pressures from the COVID-19 Pandemic, representatives have figured out how to reach their desired audiences in a new way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin will welcome representatives from a wide range of farm sizes and types later this month at the 2022 OGRAIN Organic Grain Winter Conference held Jan. 28-29 on the UW–Madison campus.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small towns and rural communities don’t always have access to the same resources as others do, including things like healthcare and economic development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin is home to nearly 1.3 million dairy cows, all that produce manure on a daily basis. A new biodigester project will be taking off in Green Leaf, WI to help contribute to dairies bottom line, and provide a more sustainable solution to manure management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Tony Evers tells Stephanie Hoff the state is seeing record low unemployment of 2.8%, but labor challenges continue for agriculture. To help, he says Wisconsin has invested $100 million to get regional partners involved to solve the problem and is waiting for the results of that. He's looking to the Biden administration and Congress to use immigration policy as a solution. He says another $100...

The pandemic is here to stay, and so are labor shortages and supply chain disruptions for Wisconsin’s dairy producers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you keep people coming back to their county fairs?  During the WI Fair Association Annual Convention, that was a big topic of conversation.  Taylor Schaefer speaks with Jayme Buttke, Exec. Sec./Treas. of the association about the creative ways fairs are working to educate fair goers, and keep them coming back. Ashley Huhn from Steffes Auction Group says their calendar's filling up...

Bitter Wisconsin weather can take its toll on our farm animals, especially the babies being born right now.  Aaron Zimmerman talks about the proactive measures farms need to take with Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, UW-Veterinarian.  Right now all kinds of babies are being born from calves to kids. Safety is a priority for Alcivia Coop.  During "Coop Talk", Pam visits with John Schoenfeld,...

The Dairy Innovation Hub facilitates innovative research at the UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls campuses, through the State of Wisconsin’s $7.8 million yearly investment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dairy Business Association (DBA) and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative have created a new chief executive officer role to focus on strategic priorities within the two organizations. Tim Trotter, newly promoted CEO, says that the dairy industry has a unique opportunity to strengthen their position moving into the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the Dairy Business Association’s Dairy Day at the Capitol, DBA members, leaders and staff called upon lawmakers for action on clean water, truth-in-labeling, agricultural workforce, and CAFO program initiatives - although few farmers hold seats in the legislature, there are many working to ensure farmer’s voices are heard.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With energy prices at a level not seen since 2014, it's important to keep the conversation going with your energy providers at ALCIVIA. Tom Volkert, ALCIVIA Energy Product Specialist, explains the tools they're constantly monitoring to try and get the best price for their clients. Still looking to protect yourself on energy costs for 2022?  Talk to ALCIVIAs Energy Specialists today. See omnys...

More and more farms are thinking about incorporating cover crops as a means of weed control and soil conservation.  Does it work?  Both corn and soybeans?  What does the rotation look like and what about the financial impact?  All those questions and more will be discussed by Lindsay Chamberlain Malone, UW-Madison Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Prof. Ma...

The industry is buzzing about supply chain issues and that includes the availability of many herbicides Wisconsin farmers lean on.  So what's the answer?  Dr. Rodrigo Werle, UW-Extension Weed Specialist will be sharing some strategies to think about based on his field research across the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's driving more and more decisions at the farm level.  Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist, is going to share a project he'll be working on in 2022 gathering farm information to generate a specific perscription for individual fields - all driven on data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's not a stone unturned in the 2022 WI Corn/Soy Expo.  Grower and show contributor, Nancy Kavazanjian, says the program will give answers to any question growers might be encountering for the 2022 growing season.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Association of Fairs (WAF) Annual Convention welcomed nearly 900 attendees this year, offering fair board members and associates a place to network and plan for 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meat processors around the state continue to struggle to meet expectations of their customers.  Despite a $5 million influx for future butchers, the short-term issues remain.  Taylor Schaefer talks to Kallie Coates of Harry Hanson's meat market, about how they're trying to keep everyone happy.  From the farmer wanting animals processed to confused consumers - it's been a challenge....

Martin Day and Kristy Nieto with the Public Service Commission explain why the cost of energy is so high. They also point to resources and programs to help your home and farm deal with these temporary prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not a matter of if African Swine Fever will get into the U.S., it's a matter of when, according to Cassandra Jones, an animal science professor at Kansas State University. Her research focuses on how ASF spreads. As of today, the Americas are still free of ASF. Jones says she tips her hat to North American pork producers for their work in that effort. Unfortunately, it continues to spread thr...

Governor Tony Evers recently announced the launch of Wisconsin’s new meat talent development program, which will provide financial support to students interested in meat processing.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday evening, 2020 & 2021 Fairest of the Fairs Cayley Vande Berg of Fond du Lac County welcomed her successor into the role after her unique two year reign. She says her experience was "twice the fair fun during my two-year run." Vande Berg navigated a virtual fair season during the COVID-19 pandemic and when it was time for fairs to come back online, she made sure the public was aware...