MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

When there’s a fire in rural Wisconsin, the firetruck doesn’t come barreling down the bend at the drop of a hat. It takes time to get out there -- even more time when the workforce is strained. Start College Now at Madison Area Technical College offers a high school fire academy that aims to boost that workforce. Ernesto Martinez, better known as chief by his students, is a retired fir...

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has introduced a number of bills designed to help not only Wisconsin agriculture but also people that struggle with food insecurity.  Aaron Zimmerman discusses the bills that are getting widespread support with Nick Levendofsky, government relations director with WI Farmers Union. We may be enjoying these above average temperatures for October, but it's challengi...

Dave Rolli - Regional Manager, WI & Northern IL Wyfffels Hybrids.  He's got an update on how the harvest is progressing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's cranberry harvest is underway.  Heidi Slinkman, Gaynor Cranberry Co., explains how they work with nature to create a sustainable environment. A Wisconsin dairy farm in Norwalk's created a retail farm shop that's resonating with neighbors.  Bossy Cow Country Store is providing the story behind food products consumers are looking for. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin joins us with an...

The Easterseals Wisconsin FARM Program helps farmers return to farming after a disabling accident or illness. Rehabilitation specialists, such as Ami Cooper, visit the farm and, with the farmer and family, look over the entire operation, evaluating buildings, terrain and equipment while making note of each task that needs to be performed. Cooper creates an individualized plan recommending specific...

California dairy exhibitors were thrilled to return to World Dairy Expo this year.  Bob Bosold talks with an exhibitor from just outside of Sacramento about what the year's been like. Winter wheat has seen increased acreage in Wisconsin and the mild fall weather's allowing more farmers to consider it this year.  Jack Kaltenberg with Partners in Production updates us on seed availability...

The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association's latest celebrity partnership: Charlie Berens of Manitowoc Minute. Tamas Houlihan says Berens' humor and niche in Wisconsin has been a successful partnership with Wisconsin potatoes. You can see Berens' videos featuring Wisconsin's potato industry here: https://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/positive-potato-publicity/ Pictured: Berens and hi...

This week, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association announced the launch of FarmersForCleanWater.com , a new website that showcases the industry’s work to safeguard Wisconsin’s water resources. “More than anyone -- as stewards of our state’s land and precious natural resources -- Wisconsin farmers are focused on finding solutions to the water issues facing our...

This season has brought a number of challenges to Wisconsin's potato industry, says Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan. Potatoes are about three-quarters of the way harvested in Wisconsin, according to the latest USDA crop progress report. Despite the issues with the weather, Houlihan says he expects an average yield and good quality come end of ha...

Trade remedies between the U.S. and Canada are ongoing, according to Cassandra Kuball, vice president at Washington, D.C.-based Michael Torrey Associates and federal affairs team member for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. Kuball also keeps an eye on international trade policy in her role as an advisor on the Animal and Animal Products Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee guiding the USDA and U...

Canadian exhibitors managed to make their way to World Dairy Expo despite some strict border restrictions.  Bob Bosold talks about it with exhibitor, Isabella Rake from Quebec. Grain Marketing specialist, Lacey Seibert brings us our paid Alicivia Coop Talk feature. Owen Feenstra, commodity analyst, from EverAg in Chicago says cheese demand is continuing to pressure current capacity - especial...

Discussion over proposed changes to the Alliant Energy Center grounds have World Dairy Expo involved in the conversation.  Show Manager, Scott Bentley, talks to Pam about how the process is going. Ashley Huhn gives us a Steffes Auction update, and Dave Rolli with Wyffels Seed gives us a harvest update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association, among other groups, are proposing a reform to the Federal Milk Marketing Order. The proposal is called Class III Plus. The groups released it earlier this year. Edge economist and University of Minnesota Professor Marin Bozic says right now, fluid milk sales are down and dairy exports are growing, raising the need to reorganize the...

The Wisconsin Trade Data Report shows Wisconsin businesses exported more than $11.5 billion in products around the world during the first six months of 2021 -- an 18.41 percent growth over the same period in 2020. WEDC Global Trade and Investment Vice President Katy Sinnott and DATCP International Agribusiness Center Director Mark Rhoda-Reis break down trade highlights for Wisconsin for the first...

Forage quality and hay supply reports are mixed around the state, depending on area and different weather patterns farmers experienced.  Wisconsin seems to be sitting okay overall, however anything west of the Mississippi has suffered from severe extended drought over the past few months.  This has left them with very little forage supply and low quality forages at that.  Dan Unders...

Lodi is home to one of the top 10 corn mazes in the U.S., according to USA Today. Angie and Allen Treinen of Treinen Farm, just 20 miles north of Madison, have been designing and cut their own maze for more than two decades. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin farmers are always looking at options when it comes to what they're planting.  Aaron talks to Valentin Picasso, UW Madison forage researcher, on the potential Kernza may hold for WI growers. Scott Bentley, General Manager of World Dairy Expo is already planning for 2022's show with an adjusted trade show schedule.  He explains details to Pam. John Hineberg, market advisor with...

It’s rather easy to grow pumpkins in your backyard or garden, but to grow pumpkins on a scale of 18-acres can be a challenge. Angie Treinen and her husband have been tackling these challenges since 1991 as they supply the gourds for decorating, eating and carving to thousands in the area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2021 World Dairy Expo in Madison was home to more than 2,300 animals week. Owners of the cattle represent three countries: the U.S., Canada and Italy. Only animals in North America can be exhibited at WDE. Stephanie Hoff talks with Dana Stoker of British Columbia-based Westcoast Holsteins about the trek to Wisconsin and the preparation for the international show. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Even with a reduced number of growers in the state, the hemp crop in Wisconsin this year looks pretty good.  Farm director, Pam Jahnke was able to talk with Brian Kuhn who deals with the hemp program at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.  He shares information about this year's hemp crop and about the licensing transition for the 2022 growing season....

World Dairy Expo is home to more than 2,300 animals this week. Owners of the cattle represent three countries: the U.S., Canada and Italy. Only animals in North America can be exhibited at WDE. Stephanie Hoff talks with Pat Maddox of California-based RuAnn Genetics about the travel to Madison and the preparation for the international show. Maddox also gives us a look at what dairying is like in Ca...

Roehl Acres of Loyal is hosting the 2022 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days in Clark County. Owned by the Dennis and Suzie Roehl family, Roehl Acres is an over 500 registered dairy cattle farm, cropping 750 acres. Dennis tells Bob Bosold he's expecting an impressive corn crop this year. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has just wrapped up its “Leaders of the Land: A State Sustainability Seri...

Valley Cooperative Association account manager Kate Farrell says flour, oil and sugar has been affected by droughts and extreme temperatures. This will raise the cost of those goods. She says agribusiness customers may increase the costs of their apple cider donuts, for example, to avoid absorbing those increased costs of goods. Wisconsin is No. 1 in the nation for cranberry production, providing...

Agribusinesses of all shapes, sizes and commodities are experiencing some kind of pandemic implication. For cranberry processor Ocean Spray, it has its highs and lows. Tom Tritt is the plant manager of the Ocean Spray Craisin facility in Wisconsin Rapids. He says the plant is experiencing labor challenges, but is managing to stay ahead of any workforce crises. On the other end of the spectrum, Oce...

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has just wrapped up its "Leaders of the Land: A State Sustainability Series". The series of nine tours took place across the state in each of the WFBF districts, highlighting diverse commodities and sustainability practices with farmers and agriculturists. “Farm Bureau is a unique organization because we bring together many different farm types, sizes and...