MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Forestry is a major employer statewide. In 10 counties, forestry is the No. 1 employer. So any mill closures or change in markets and management has a major impact on the economy. For example, the Verso and Park Falls mill closures impact the workers, the suppliers and the forests themselves, explains Collin Buntrock, a forest products team leader for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resou...

4-H is alive and well in west central Wisconsin, according to Holly Noah, a long time Reseburg Ramblers leader, farmer and Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Thorp High School. She says participation in Clark County 4-H clubs remains steady even though more and more students don’t come from a farm. She attributes involvement to the organization’s mix of activity extending beyond l...

Mid-State Technical College continues to diversify the opportunities offered to their students.  They cover a wide array of agricultural production systems that we find across central Wisconsin.  Scott Schultz was able to visit with Teri Micke-Raatz of Mid-State to learn more about what they offer and the programs they've added. Wisconsin will be well represented tomorrow at the National...

the second week in November through Christmas. While butter sales usually increase during the holidays, the pandemic, which spiked a rebirth of home cooking, has also caused butter sales to grow significantly year-round.  Aaron Zimmerman had the chance to visit with Katie Hepler, Senior Marketing Director with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin to discuss all things dairy consumption around the holid...

The Wisconsin DNR is offering free tree seedlings to every fourth-grade student in Wisconsin as part of the department’s annual Arbor Day tree planting program. Arbor Day is April 29. Wisconsin fourth grade principals, teachers and those who homeschool can now place seedling orders and coordinate delivery by completing the 2022 Arbor Day application by March 15. Farm assistant Aaron Zimmerma...

We all know that the supply chain has been crippled, and that's going to impact a lot of the products farmers depend on for spring planting 2022.  Joe Slosarczyk, Agronomy Specialist with Alcivia, explains what's influencing their product movement and what strategies growers should be putting in play now. Connect with your Alcivia agronomist team . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Alcivia Internal Nutrition Technical Manager, Terry Zimdars, is keeping an eye on feed ingredients. Everything from palm oil supplies to ethanol production can influence what's "right" for your livestock blend. Curious about feed ingredients - talk to Alcivia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Costa Rica is leaning on agriculture to become what's categorized as a "developed" nation.  They still have a distance to go, but Bob Bosold learns more about the strategy from Hector Calbo, guide in Costa Rica. Posted or not, it's state law that hunters require verbal or written permission from landowners to be on their property.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to Keith Ripp from the WI Farm Bur...

Wisconsin agriculture is making an effort to show military veterans the opportunities that the industry holds.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Joe Koch, director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Wisconsin.  A new group for the state that helps connect veterans interested in agriculture with resources and mentors. Alcivia Coop Talk with Dean Danielson focuses on safety in all their operations....

Grab your turkey now - especially if you're looking for a smaller bird this year.  That's the advice from the president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers who speaks with Stephanie Hoff about trends. Ashley Huhn with Steffes Auction reports that there were two pieces of equipment that sold last week for record prices.  Demand for good, used farm equipment is red hot. The harvest is drawing...

In this week's Alcivia Coop Talk, Pam talks to Lee Parker, VP of Energy & Retail, about propane supplies going into the winter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition aims to bring together veterans and the agriculture industry. The coalition's mission is to train the next generation of farmers by providing social, educational and financial resources, and fostering fellowship in the ag community. Wisconsin's own chapter began May 7 of this year, and since then has grown to 551 members. President Joe Koch says there was a great need...

After a year of canceled jackpot shows, livestock exhibitors have something to look forward to this December. Sheryl Theobald says the upcoming show is meant to replace the canceled Badger Kick-Off Classic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Honey Producers annual meeting in Wisconsin Rapids included about 200 people from around the Midwest!  Jennifer Hinkle from Franklin is currently in the homestretch of her term serving as the American Honey Queen . She updates Pam on what's been happening as more schools are back to face-to-face education, and more and more consumers are curious about the benefits of natural swe...

The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report comes out today at 11 a.m. After today's report, there won't be much move in yield for the year. John Heinberg of Total Farm Marketing in West Bend says expectations are corn yields to come up slightly, about a half a bushel per acre.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The harvest is quickly drawing to a close for many farm families.  Dave Rolli, Regional Sales Manager with Wyffels Hybrids is already planning for winter meetings! Rolli also points out that Wyffels Hybrids is celebrating their 75th Anniversary as a U.S. Farm Family Owned company (One of the few remaining independent seed companies left!) Finally, Wyffels continues to support our military vet...

Nick Carter grew up on an Indiana farm, and left for a career in startups. He's since gone back to the farm with the goal of boosting small farms around the nation with his e-commerce business Market Wagon. Market Wagon is an online delivery service for local food. It's been growing since 2016 from its start Indianapolis to currently 15 states. Most of that growth took place during the pandemic. T...

Technology is helping farmers and ranchers keep track of their cattle.  Aaron Zimmerman talks with Trent Stucker of Landscout about a digestible bolus that animals take in to help monitor their health and their locations. Sign up is now open for the third installment of Wisconsin's Farm Support Program.  Stephanie Hoff reviews the details with WI Sec. of Agriculture, Randy Romanski. Toda...

Farmers look at manure as a valuable resource for their fields.  Soon, non-farm consumers may look at it as a valuable resource too - but for their vehicles.  Stephanie Hoff talks about the innovation with Scott Romenesko, EnTech Solutions. The pandemic suspended a lot of face-to-face meetings, but it didn't deter Jennifer Hinkel of Franklin from continuing to try and educate people abou...

The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge is coming to Wisconsin, and will be hosted by The Midwest Region, UW-Madison, and Fox Valley Technical College in Green Bay, WI March 31-April 2, 2022. Ted Halbach shares the details with new Mid-West Farm Report Intern Taylor Schaefer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between shipping delays and product shortages, Christmas lists will be trimmed. For example, electronics, shoes and Barbies are among those harder-to-get items, according to national news headlines. But perhaps this is the year where Christmas doesn't come from a store. Thorp High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, longtime 4-H leader and farmer Holly Noah says this holiday season can in...

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is looking for orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more to showcase on a new app dedicated to connecting consumers with agritourism venues. The American Farm Trail app , created by the Foundation and sponsored by Corteva, allows farmers, ranchers and farm attraction managers to sign up for free to showcase their agritourism venues. Farms an...

Ag economist Paul Mitchell says supply chain issues plaguing the ag industry are not going away anytime soon. For example, fertilizer prices are going up, and Mitchell says come spring, fertilizer supply will be tight. This goes for tractor and machine parts, too. And it could change how farmers manage their inventory.  If you want a smaller turkey for Thanksgiving, get it now, according to P...

All week, dairy farmers have begun to see a rapid decline in cheese prices. ever.ag Vice President Ryan Yonkman says this is a perfect example of a time to showcase the type of risk farmers have been experiencing for a while.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a sales trend last year of consumers wanting smaller birds for Thanksgiving. And that trend is continuing this year. Pete Klaphake is the president of Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council. He says turkey will not be hard to get this year, but if you want a particular size of bird, you’ll want to get that turkey order in now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...