MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Whether you’re a hunter hauling your camper, an ice fisherman getting ready to move your shack, or a farmer preparing equipment for the planting season. We know people are moving tires that haven’t been moved in a year! If those tires are not properly maintained, you could be looking at a cost and time prohibitive task of replacing those tires. Brad Harris manages agricultural field en...

The Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is looking for assistance in keeping farmland, farm land.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to Lori Stern, executive director of MOSES, about their latest campaigns. Wendy Meyers from Alcivia Coop discusses financing options available through Verity - an element within Alcivia Coop.  The paid Alcivia Coop Talk. Cody Koster from EverAg in Chi...

It's not just retail stores that are looking for brisk business during the holidays.  Many Wisconsin FFA chapters are hoping for the same.  Stephanie Hoff visits with David Battenberg of Bonduel FFA about their annual poinsettia sales and what it does financially for the chapter, as well as the skill sets it improves for students. Ashley Huhn with Steffes Auction Group has another group...

It's Dec. 1 and the Christmas season is underway! Even though we've passed the designated days for supporting small businesses and nonprofits, you can still support local organizations, such as the FFA. Some chapters are selling Christmas trees or fruit boxes. The Bonduel FFA has a long tradition of raising and selling poinsettias. Ag instructor and advisor David Battenberg tells us everything we...

Hunters are encouraged to get their deer tested for chronic wasting disease before consuming venison. The state health department, CDC and WHO recommend the public only consume venison from deer in which CWD is not detected. Because infected deer can look healthy, DHS encourages testing for the disease regardless of your harvested deer’s physical condition, especially in areas where CWD is k...

The 9-day gun deer hunt is wrapped up. DNR finds that license sales are down from last year, along with harvest numbers. This is following a trend that's been going on for a decade. DNR Wildlife Management Director Eric Lobner says license sales saw a 1.5 percent decline from 2020. And deer harvest was down 7.9 percent from the 2020 gun deer hunt.  But Jeffrey Pritzl, DNR Deer Program Special...

Labor shortages can be seen across the country, affecting Wisconsin farmers and business owners on more levels than one. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson says heading into this period of stagflation can lead to a long term shortage of workers throughout the economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running low on toilet paper - don't blame the paper makers.  Stephanie Hoff visits with the Wisconsin Paper Council on the supply chain disruptions they've been working with from the forest to the stores. This weekend the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation gathers for its annual meeting.  Aaron Zimmerman visits with Wendy Kannel from WFBF on what attendees can expect. Concerns about the ne...

Fertilizer prices have jumped to the highest they have been since 2008, which is just one example of the impact supply chain disruptions are having on farmers this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A premier event put on by the Wisconsin State Horse Council is set to return to the Alliant Energy Center April 22nd-24th, 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 of the United States’ major dairy producing states were up only 0.4% for milk production in the month of September, which is the slowest milk production that has been seen since 2019. This decline is not only a state and national trend, but also a global one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Meat Industry Caucus has been active, trying to bring attention to the value the meat industry brings to the state.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ancestral by Dan Smith tells the story of his passion for agriculture through a series of poems written over his 40 year career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grocery stores across Wisconsin have faced pandemic-related challenges including supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages. Brandon Scholz, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, says consumers have had to adjust their shopping behaviors based on product availability and cost as a result. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Demand is booming at the retail level for U.S. beef. Joe Schuele tells Aaron Zimmerman e-commerce and home delivery helped that trend during COVID, and are likely here to stay. He says the biggest obstacle facing U.S. beef is the backlog of vessels to export beef overseas. It's causing uneasiness from Asian buyers. Philippe Coquard of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie Du Sac says healthy grape vines d...

Each year the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin host their Dairy Insights Summit to talk about hot topics in the dairy industry and overall food industry as well.  Farm director, Pam Jahnke visits with Shelly Mayer, Executive Director, about what topics are on the dock for this year's summit and what attendees can look forward to. When we hear the phrase "red meat," usually we think a...

The cranberry harvest is complete, but the work doesn’t stop there. Wetherby Cranberry Company is packing its fresh fruit. And it's sending the other portion of its berries to American Berry Company just outside of Warrens to be dried. Then, third-generation berry farmer Nodji Van Wychen and her family will tend to the perennial fruit through the winter. But first, Nodji reflects on the harv...

High demand doesn't sound like a problem, until the company cannot meet that demand. Master Cheesemaker Sid Cook, owner of Carr Valley Cheese in LaValle, says inflation and supply chain disruption is making it difficult for the plant to handle the holiday surge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spice trade is a global venture, so spice and seasoning companies are seeing supply chain disruptions at ports around the world, according to John Brewer who leads marketing and sales at Excalibur Seasoning. Excalibur is a Midwest-based spice company with a focus in the meat and seafood space. Brewer says the business is facing labor challenges and supply chain issues as they work to meet dema...

With Wisconsin's gun-deer season about to begin, reviewing safety protocol for all hunters is critical.  Pam Jahnke visits with two DNR specialists who focus on hunter gun safety, and also safety operating ATV's/UTV's while in the woods and on rural roads. Escalating farm gate prices for supplies growers will need next year is the topic of conversation with Joe Slosczark, agronomy specialist...

Coffee production is a major element for Costa Rican agriculture.  Bob Bosold talks to staff at Dokka Coffee about the growing climate, markets and sustainability practices they've put in place. Shelly Mayer from PDPW joins Pam for a live conversation about their upcoming Dairy Insights Summit.  It focuses on food trends and consumer preferences and how it influences what farms will be d...

For many residents in rural Wisconsin and farm country, it's time to enroll for Medicare Benefits.  Sometimes there's more questions than answers and sometimes benefits can be overlooked.  Aaron Zimmerman talks with staff from AARP about a few obvious questions people should ask during this enrollment window. Ashley Huhn with Steffes Auction touches on a couple major markers when it come...

Wisconsin honey producers got together for their annual meeting for the first time since 2019.  Jon Logterman, WI Honey Producer President, tells Pam about the impact the pandemic's had on their production plans. The Thanksgiving meal will cost more this year.  The American Farm Bureau estimates a 14% increase in costs while the WI Farm Bureau Federation looks for a 17% increase.  P...

Wisconsin has a lot of holiday traditions, some more popular than others.  For those folks that look forward to a Lutefisk Feed - well they should know supplies may be limited.  Stephanie Hoff brings us an update with Chris Dorff, president of Olsen Fish Company in Minneapolis. Aaron Zimmerman talks with Katie Hepler from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin about seasonal trends we're seeing butt...

Hunting season is right around the corner, and just as hunters need to be trained in gun safety, they also need to be trained in food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.