MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Wisconsin Turfgrass Association President, Brad DeBels, says the group puts on many events, but the summer field day specifically, "Showcases all of the research that the UW does whether that's the golf industry, lawn care industry, or sports turf." Just like many other groups, this was the first time in history they offered remote events and will continue to do it with their happy hour with the t...

Bruce Schweiger, Superintendent at O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility, says, "People won't think about this, but turfgrass is the 4th largest crop grown in the state by acreage" which includes parks, roadsides, framework to houses, sports fields, and golf courses. Schweiger says, "What turfgrass is to the State of Wisconsin and the world is we are the frame" which means, "When you...

The Wisconsin State Fair is full of unique and fun opportunities for people to take part in. Alongside the regular livestock shows, the state fair plans to host the "All For One Goat Show" again this year. This show allows youth with disabilities to be mentored by youth exhibitors at the fair, where they can learn more about showing and raising goats.  Farm assistant, Aaron Zimmerman visits w...

The Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council (WAEWDC) announced its membership, purpose statement, and goals. After several years of inactivity, the council was reformed in 2020 under Governor Tony Evers' leadership to serve a key role in Wisconsin's economic and workforce recovery efforts. Farm assistant, Aaron Zimmerman was able to catch up with council chair, Sara Scho...

Bob Wills, owner of Clock Shadow Creamery in Milwaukee, says the Milwaukee Bucks' playoff season has been a "boon to business." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says the USDA relief for the timber industry will be a 'shot in the arm' for Wisconsin's timber entities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff and Aaron Zimmerman host the Midwest Farm Report morning show!  Aaron visits with Cheryl Skjolaas of the UW Center For Ag Safety and Health about tractor safety certification in Wisconsin.  Students between the ages of 12-15 can learn and gain certification through online and hands on safety courses.  Wisconsin has a strong tradition and support of getting youth invol...

Nordik Meats, Inc. is celebrating a year of business after opening during the height of the pandemic to meet a demand for meat processors. The Viroqua-area processor still sees a need for its services even though the backlog has reduced some. Ross Williams, general manager of Nordik Meats, reflects on the past year as being chaotic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BOGS is continuing its national partnership with 4-H and donating $5 to the youth organization for every pair of 4-H boots sold to support outdoor education. In its first year, BOGS donated more than $100,000 to the organization. Marketing lead David Cook expects BOGS to reach that same amount this year and the successful partnership to continue for years to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Sabrina Servais is the third generation on her family's dairy farm. She says it was an honor to have U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and other farm industry leaders at her home.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Servais and his family have hosted three similar events at their farm this year. He says the last administration did some damage, but to know that this administration is healing relationships with other countries makes him feel optimistic. Servais flags the price of steel as a pressing issue for his farm.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai's first trip to Wisconsin included a tour and roundtable discussion at a western Wisconsin dairy farm. The Servais family hosted Ambassador Tai at their farm, Hamburg Hills Farm, in Stoddard. Tai and U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, held a roundtable with farm industry leaders on how international trade relationships impact their work in America's Dairyland....

Have you been hungry for Wisconsin State Fair food? Make sure to support Wisconsin Pork at the Pork Schoppe August 5-15. Mikayla Wehrle, Assistant Program Director of the Wisconsin Pork Association, has been helping coordinate this year's Pork Schoppe. This year, there will be pork chops on a stick, pork burgers, seasonings, and BBQ sauce - but if you're planning to purchase that Wehrle says, "Com...

The smell and look of lavender can be calming! Beth Reanee, an owner of Vintage Fields at Farmin' Betty's in Columbus, started researching what they can put in their previously rented out 11 acres. Reanee says, "I wanted to grow something and be excited about it." They have 300 plants in 4 rows and have 3 different types of Lavender. Listen to hear what their plans are to do with the lavender and...

Technology is growing in production agriculture every day and becoming more financially feasible for all sizes of farms.  Pam visits with Shelly Mayer, Executive Director of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, about robotic milking systems that have turned into an important option for some dairies.  They're hosting a robotics tour in northeast Wisconsin this week. Ashley Huhn from...

Stephanie Hoff visits with Alex Skawinski a member education program manager at the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, along with Tom Lochner, executive director of the association.  Labor shortages are a big challenge being faced by the industry today, and now they're creating educational outreach programs to try and help. "Fear the Deer" is a phrase said, and being worn, all aro...

Jordan Lamb, attorney with DeWitt Law in Madison, visits with Pam Jahnke about the recent reversal by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on permitting authority in the DNR.  Lamb says there's still details to be discovered, but it looks like the ruling will only impact new permit requests. Aaron Zimmerman introduces us to the new Wisconsin State FFA President.  Ben Styer from the Menomonie FFA,...

Between 2007 and 2011, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) looked at how to sustain the state's 200 fish species for the next 100 years, and where to work for the most good.  Peno Creek emerged as one of the highest quality streams in northeast Missouri, and in 2011, the Department made it a priority to protect it. In 2013, Chris Williamson, district supervisor for MDC, invited wate...

The Country Roots 4-H Club members used the Wisconsin Needs Farmers yard signs and t-shirts in their fair decorations. Mackenzie Mattke, the proud owner of the grand champion hog, says farmers provide everything from fuel to the food on our tables. Mattke also shares how she felt when the fair was canceled last year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Skibba of Pleasure Valley Farms in Sheboygan County shares how she cares for her pigs, ducks, and goats and teaches them to race. In addition to traveling to county fairs across the state with her racing farm animals, her family farm also produces pumpkins.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The grand total of the Jefferson County Fair meat sale was $406,769. The meat sale took place Saturday. After a year without the fair, that grand total surpasses 2019 numbers by more than $30,000, according to Justin Thom, the chair of the Jefferson County Meat Animal Project Committee.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Tisch owns and operates the 9,000-tree apple farm with his family. Tisch, who presented at the field day on irrigation, says this year has been a great year for apples if growers had irrigation. He expects a great crop this fall -- "another banner year" -- if the hail stays away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Troy Gibbs is a contractor for Rantizo, a drone service provider. He owns the equipment and goes out to farms to spray, fertilize, seed and pollinate. He says the market is growing for drones. Rantizo has hired about 30 contractors in the past year and a half. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amaya Atucha is a UW-Madison horticulture professor and fruit crop extension specialist. She says the summer drought will impact the size of the apples this year and also the number of blossoms for next year. Growers will also see impact from the late frost Wisconsin saw this spring.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch the NBA Finals Game Tonight With Wisconsin Cheese! The Wisconsin Cheese Mart in Milwaukee is shorter than a block away from Deer District and the Fiserv Forum. Bucks fans have been enjoying Wisconsin Cheese and they have been experiencing increased foot traffic and sales. Emily McNulty, Operations Manager with Wisconsin Cheese Mart in Milwaukee, says, "It has affected our sales. On game days...