MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Doug Ninmann, president of the Dodge County Fair Association, says last year was a tough year with no revenue. This summer, they're ready to welcome back fair-goers Aug. 18-22. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday, August 10th, farms and homesteads across the state that have been in the same families for over 100 years will be recognized at the WI State Fair.  Jill Albanese, coordinator for the recognition, explains what's planned. The Wisconsin apple crop is at a critical stage of development.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Munchkey Orchard in Mount Horeb about some of the challenges they've...

Did you know that Wisconsin Farm Technology Days actually started as a plowing contest back in the 50's?  Bob Bosold talks with two retired western Wisconsin farmers that were part of the grand event when it first began. U.S. Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack, announced millions of dollars in federal aid that's pointed toward expanding meat and poultry processing capacities.  The announcement wa...

PDPW has two July events coming up for dairy producers. Thursday's robotics tour may be of particular interest to farmers because it's growing in popularity, says Executive Director Shelly Mayer. Technology on the farm helps the farmer fit cows' needs, she says, noting that a well-cared-for cow will be a good producer. On July 20, PDPW will focus on hoof health on dairies.  See omnystudio.com...

The State FFA Honors Band played energizing music to motivate the audience at the Wisconsin FFA State Convention. Monte Dunnum, State FFA Honors Band Director, says, "It feels fantastic! There's a lot of kids out here that haven't had a regular band experience." After not being able to play last year due to the Online State FFA Convention, they were excited to have an in-person performance. ...

Cranberries are blossoming right now and so is Tyler Gardner, Pittsville FFA member, who was at the 92nd Wisconsin FFA State Convention being recognized as the 2020 Proficiency Winner in the area of Food Production. Listen to hear more about cranberry production and his aspirations to take over the family business some day.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The year may have looked different, but the Wisconsin FFA State Stars took on the challenge and found success taking home the state title from the 4 different areas - Star Farmer, Star In Agricultural Placement, Star In Agribusiness, and Star In Agriscience. Star Farmer, Randy Winch of Fennimore FFA, emotionally says, "It seems unreal, I have been working so hard for this."  See omnystudio.co...

Tom Lochner, the executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, says right now the cranberry plants are setting their fruit. Growers out in the field are saying Wisconsin will see an average crop -- about 5.5 million 100 lbs barrels of fruit. While crops are coming up nicely, some varieties are not coming along quite as well as growers hoped, leaving room for caution.&nbs...

The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association received a Workforce Advancement Training grant in partnership with the Wisconsin Rapids Mid-State Technical College. The money will allow WSCGA to develop continuing education opportunities for cranberry growers and broaden its educational services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Put a buffalo burger on your Wisconsin bucket list. And look no further for a taste than our state's own native tribes. The tribe wanted to raise food to give back to their people, explains TJ Swiecichowski. Swiecichowski, a nontribal member, is the agricultural supervisor for the Oneida Nation Farm. He oversees the beef, buffalo and cash crop operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The Dairyland Initiative is an online resource for ideas and recommendations that optimize dairy cow health, performance and well-being to keep the dairy industry in good shape. The focus is on cow comfort, a passion of Nigel Cook's, a professor in food animal production medicine and chair of the Department of Medical Sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

While stray voltage cases on farms have gone down in the last few decades, UW-Extension continues to bring attention to the issue. The Midwest Rural Energy Council is hosting a stray voltage investigation course Sept. 21-23.  Doug Reinemann is the associate dean of extension and outreach at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison. He explains stray voltage can impact an an...

With the 92nd Wisconsin FFA State Convention moving back a month due to the pandemic, it has caused FFA members to have a busier schedule. Olivia Olson, Lake Mills FFA member, competed in the Creed Leadership Development Event. The State FFA Convention and Jefferson County Fair are both highlights of her summer, but this year they were both scheduled for the same week. Early Tuesday morning, Olson...

Ben Styer of the Menomonie FFA has been chosen to serve as the 2021-2022 Wisconsin FFA President. Styer served this past year as the Vice President. We wish him luck on his next year of service! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"YouTube videos and speaking engagements are additional commodities on our farm just like corn and soybeans" says Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers who performed at the 92nd Wisconsin FFA State Convention. Greg and Nathan Peterson, YouTube sensation of their parodies about farming and agriculture and known as the Peterson Farm Brothers, was a keynote speaker and entertained Wisconsin FFA...

WI Governor Tony Evers is dedicating over $140 million to assisting tourism, including agriculture tourism, in the state.  Stephanie talks to Sheila Everhart, interim executive director of the WI Ag Tourism Association, about the growth in the industry and the grant funds. Michelle Stangler visits with Monte Dunnum, Wisconsin FFA Band Director, explains what the band is about, what it plays,...

A group of former conservation leaders want the state to make some adjustments on how they're managing the state's deer population.  Wisconsin's Green Fire has released a report asking for new plans on managing CWD and encouraging the next generation of deer hunters.  Pam talks to Tom Hauge, one of the reporters contributing. It's official!  Alcivia is the new name of the merged coo...

ALCIVIA (pronounced ALL-siv-ia) is the new name of the Countryside Cooperative and Landmark Services Cooperative merger formed March 1.  The name was released this week. CEO and President Jim Dell says the brand development process involved extensive customer research and close collaboration between stakeholders over many months.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Evers administration has allocated more than $140 million in grants to Wisconsin's tourism and entertainment businesses. Sheila Everhart, the interim executive director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association says interest in agri-tourism is up 30 percent over the last five years. She encourages agri-tourism businesses to take advantage of these new grant dollars to help get rural ec...

Wondering how to support dairy farmers with a refreshment? Try Gelato! Amber McComish, owner of Lucky Cow Coffee & Gelato, has a bit of everything for a morning run including Gelato, Coffee, and Baked Goods. Being a dairy farmer, McComish says, "We always wanted to incorporate our milk into a product."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claudio Gratton is an entomology professor at UW-Madison. He released a study last month that connects declining bee populations to declining crop diversity. Gratton says Wisconsin bees are expert pollinators important for the state's well-known crops, such as cranberries, apples, squash and pumpkins. Bees are also responsible for the state's stunning wildflowers and flower crops. See omnystudio.c...

Apples will be at center stage during Wisconsin Farm Technology Days 2021 in Eau Claire county.  Bob Bosold talks to Andy Ferguson of Ferguson Orchards about their role at Innovation Square. Kwik Trip and State Farm agents across Wisconsin are partnering up to provide people with free milk.  John McHugh, director of public relations with Kwik Trip, explains their continued commitment to...

Many veterans come from rural counties and after their service, returning to work in agriculture is similar such as leadership, organization, and attention to detail. Amy Ferkey, who helped establish the Veteran Affairs Farms program a few years ago and is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the VA Hospital in Madison, says the purpose of the VA Farms program is to help veterans with resour...

Did you think Fairs were cancelled last year for the first time? Polio, a disease similar to COVID, affected fairs too over 50 years ago. Jerry Apps, lifelong writer of American agriculture, lived through both COVID & Polio. He is currently working on a book of the history of fairs and the release date has been delayed due to the pandemic. However, Apps says, "It allows me to write how for the...

Another main element to the fair is the livestock shows.  Youth around the state work very hard with their animals all year to be able to exhibit their animals at county and district fairs, as well as state fair.  A unique part of Stoughton Fair is students from multiple counties including, Dane, Rock, Green and others are able to show their animals.  This year, Katie Huchthausen of...