MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Some farmers may be thinking twice this year about harvesting all their field debris for bedding, considering the price of fertilizer.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to UW-Extension Specialist, Jerry Clark, about thinking through the process. Ashley Huhn updates us on the auction prices and activity for used equipment in the Steffes Auction update. Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, says...

Dialog and discussion continues to focus on reforming federal milk order mandates across the United States.  It's a complicated and confusing process.  Dr. Marin Bozic from the University of Minnesota tries to break down when discussion stands to date. In this week's Alcivia Coop Talk, paid for by Alcivia, Pam talks to Lee Parker, VP of Energy & Retail, about propane supplies going i...

A new feed mill in Allenton will be doing 400 percent more than its old location with the same amount of employees -- that’s how highly automated the facility is. Tim Kreilkamp is the president of Farmers Grain & Feed based in Allenton. He says they made the decision to rebuild because the old facility is more than 100 years old, which had its challenges. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

2020 was a great year for growing wine grapes... 2021 not so much. The growing season proved tough for the vines at Wollersheim Winery and Distillery in Prairie Du Sac. The harvest is wrapped up, starting with brandy grapes in mid-August. Only the Ice Wine grapes remain on the vines. Winemaker and owner Philippe Coquard says the majority of the harvest happens between August and September. In a se...

Risk management means many different things in production agribusiness.  Dean Danielson, Vice President of Risk Management, explains that Alcivia will be putting increased emphasis on risk management within their facilities involving staff, as they transition into 2022. Find out more about their planned goals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DATCP's Farm Center was awarded $500,000 from the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to promote, develop, and increase stress management and mental health resources for Wisconsin farmers. DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski shares more details in an interview with the Mid-West Farm Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns about protecting health doesn't end at humans when it comes to the pandemic.  Stephanie Hoff visits with the zookeeper at the Henry Vilas Zoo about measures they've taken to protect zoo animals from contracting the virus. Wisconsin's launched it Meat Processor Grant program, making available up to $50,000 for improvement and expansion of facilities.  Pam talks to WI Ag Secretary...

The hay market across the U.S. is red hot and being watched by members of the National Hay Association.  Bob Bosold talks to their executive director/member about hay prices and overall production trends. Cortney Zimmerman from Spencer has been selected for the National FFA Officer team.  That's only the 8th time it's happened to a Wisconsinite.  Aaron Zimmerman visits with Cortney,...

Milk production in the United States has plateaued and it looks like that's a world trend.  At the same time, consumption remains strong.  Dr. Mark Stephenson with the Center for Dairy Profitability discusses the outlook for Wisconsin dairy farmers with Pam. Monday letters were mailed to eligible farms across the state for the next round of financial aid in the Farm Support Program.&nbsp...

DATCP and the Department of Revenue are providing another round of the Farm Support Program -- direct aid payments to Wisconsin farmers who have experienced economic loss due to the pandemic. Today, DOR began sending letters to eligible applicants. DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski explains farmers will obtain information about the program and a Letter ID, which is required to complete the applicatio...

Farmers and forest landowners will want to plan ahead and sign up early for USDA conservation funding. Angela Biggs,  USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service  (NRCS) State Conservationist in Wisconsin, announced farmers and forest landowners interested in  Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)  or  Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)  produc...

Financing options for 2022 are being evaluated today.  Hans Pflieger, Vice President of Credit Operations for Alcivia, discusses their Verity program opportunities for finances in 2022.  Knowing all your options is key, and getting discussions started early is important. Find out about Verity and all financing programs through Alcivia! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World demand for fertilizers coupled with production challenges are leading to a little sticker shock for 2022.  Nick Christen, Vice President of Agronomy at Alcivia, explains the logistical challenges and the forecast farmers should prepare for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unique opportunities present themselves from time to time through the harvest.  Lacey Seibert, Vice President of Grains and Logistics for Alcivia, focuses in on a couple existing options and benefits Alcivia customers have. Find out more and connect with your local Alcivia location. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Micah Jensen, Director of Grain Trading with Didion, explains how Wisconsin's biofuels industry consumes grain stocks, and generates feedstocks. Jensen also discusses the value added proposition that Wisconsin's ethanol plants provide not only to farmers selling grain to them, but to the community as a whole. Find out more about Wisconsin BioFuels Industry! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Research information's starting to trickle in from Dr. Joe Lauer's UW-Extension test plots statewide.  Pam talks to Dr. Lauer about some of his observations on the corn crop. In the Alcivia Coop Talk, Bob Bosold talks with Aric Dieter, Manager of Alcivia's Ingredient Division, about supply chain issues farmers should know about. New numbers in from the U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. sho...

From cottonseed to corn, farmers feeding livestock are going to have to watch not only prices, but availability.  Aric Dieter, Vice President of Animal Nutrition at Alcivia is keeping an eye on all of it.  Work through your feed ration ingredients with Alcivia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you’re driving through downtown Madison and the UW-Madison campus, you can see silos and there's a chance you can smell the dairy cows! Jessica Cederquist is the research program director at the UW Dairy Cattle Center and herd administrator for the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. She explains that the dairy is a full working farm in the city run by students, which posed challen...

The 94th National FFA Convention gets underway in Indianapolis today.  Over 300 Wisconsin FFA members will be attending.  Bob Bosold visits with WI State FFA President, Ben Styer, about what to expect. Ashley Huhn from Steffes Auction Group says their auction catalog will be in the mail this week in their paid weekly update.  Aaron Zimmerman updates us on the ongoing sign-up for EQI...

In addition to Mother Nature throwing us a few challenges during harvest, we're also seeing corn rootworm impact our bottom line. Cooper Humphries, District Sales Manager, with @Wyffels Hybrids, has our harvest update in this week’s #WyffelsWednesday. Check out Wyffels.com for data on corn rootworm pressure in your area. They've got data on traps on first-year c...

National headlines scream a CO2 shortage in some areas in the U.S. In Wisconsin, CO2 production is strong (it's a byproduct of ethanol), but there are some transportation problems causing delays in getting the final product to the customer. Neal Kemmet, president of Ace Ethanol, says ethanol plants are keeping up with CO2 demand in the Midwest.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

We're seeing a limited supply of toilet paper on the shelves... again. But this time, it isn't a hoarding issue. A majority of Wisconsin's timber is used for pulp and paper making. And the state has enough of that. Paper manufacturing is also a strength in Wisconsin, and producers are making lots of paper. So why are we seeing empty shelves? Wisconsin Paper Council President Scott Suder says it's...

Corn Mazes in Wisconsin are a work of art, and it takes some art to not only design, but also carve those mazes.  Stephanie Hoff talks about it with Allan and Angie Treinen, Treinen Farms of Lodi. October is National Cyber Security Awareness month, and Rural Mutual Insurance wants Wisconsin farms to realize their vulnerability.  Mike Lubhan and Hannah Winckler from Rural Mutual share sta...

More and more investors are looking at farmland as a safe place for their money.  That's driving up not only rental rates, but the price on an acre of farmland.  Amber Keller with Town Bank shares what she's been seeing with Pam. That visit to local apple orchards, pumpkin patches or corn mazes might include a tasty treat when you get there.  Supply chain issues have put some of tho...

Sustainability is the theme for western Wisconsin farmer Joe Bragger. DATCP Secretary Romanski was at the Bragger Farm this month. Bob Bosold talks to Joe about land and water quality on the farm that has allowed it to move through multiple generations. Bragger's farm features pheasant habitat and native prairie for new species and wildlife in the area.   Aaron Zimmerman talks to Greg Zwald o...