MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Bryan Ernst was always curious about hydroponics and vertical farming. Now, his farm, Ernessi Farms in Ripon, is poised to become the state’s largest indoor growing facility. Ernst’s passion for vertical framing was amplified during his military service and witnessing urban poverty. Ernst says, “We should be able to use existing urban spaces to produce food.” That’s w...

Normally, when you walk into a barn, you wouldn't necessarily expect it to be as clean as your house or even your doctors office. But if you were to visit Blueprint Genetics in Janesville, Wisconsin you would see that it is pretty darn close! Blueprint Genetics is a embryo transfer and donor facility that focuses primarily on beef cattle. When I stopped in, I was joined by co-owner and manager of...

Just as our larger livestock life beef and dairy cattle, chickens get hot too! Nick Levendoski of Sunnyside Hatchery in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin was able to share tips about caring for poultry in the summer months. Whether you are a commercial producer or a backyard raiser, having cool and comfortable poultry will help them to remain productive and keep growing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Batter up! Baseball season is now in full swing for the Madison Mallards. While the grounds crew keeps maintaining the field through the season, Stoddard's Market in Cottage Grove is continuing a long-standing partnership with the team to provide delicious custom brats to their concession stands and The Great Dane Duck Blind. Jerry Stoddard gives an update on some new additions for the 2021 season...

Reports are showing that about 27 percent of first crop hay has been cut in Wisconsin, which is slightly ahead of average. Even with some late cold weather and a few dry spells, it seems that the hay crop is still progressing well. What does this mean for current hay markets? Richard Halopka, Crops and Soils Senior Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison Extension out of Clark County shares what marke...

June is here and it is time for National Dairy Month. Usually the Dane County Dairy Promotion Committee holds their Cows on the Concourse event at the beginning of the month to kick off the celebration. This year however, things will look different and you won't see any cows on the capitol square. Sydney Endres, Public Relations Co-Chair for the committee shares that certain components of the even...

Although our spring weather has been up and down, warm summer weather is finally here in Wisconsin. With the warmer weather comes a reminder to shift our attention to livestock health and well-being related to the heat and summer pests. Dr. BJ Jones, livestock veterinarian at Center Hill Vet Clinic in Darlington shares that fly control and reducing heat stress on livestock can help keep them healt...

Join Saddle Butte Senior Sales Representative, TJ Kartes, and clear up confusion about cover crops. Kartes talks about Saddle Butte's history.  The importance of quality seed and an educational partnership approach to your project. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you use the phrase "busy as a bee" its grounded in fact!  Aaron Zimmerman talks with Beeville Honey producer, Mitchell McCarthy, on how spring weather can impact bee activity and productivity. WI Congressman Ron Kind is monitoring the massive output of federal funding to try and provide rural communities with broadband internet.  Kind's concerned that a lot of big companies got the...

Scott Schultz talks to the co-director of Wisconsin's Discovery Farms program about their recent decision to close their Pigeon Falls office. Replanting may be in some Wisconsin farmers future after near frost/freezing temperatures going into the Memorial Weekend.  Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist, shares an update. John Hineberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us with the la...

With Wisconsin weather moving quickly into the upper 80's and lower 90's, Wisconsin's livestock owners are moving plans into high gear to keep animals comfortable and safe. Dr. BJ Jones, veterinarian from Darlington, says whether it's dairy or beef, producers have made some major investments in systems designed to keep livestock comfortable.  Aaron Zimmerman talks with him about the technolog...

The frosty weather going into the Memorial Weekend probably didn't do much to our insect populaton.  PJ Leisch, UW-Extenson Entomologist says the weather probably just slowed them down, but didn't thin numbers. Farm land values keep climbing not just in Wisconsin, but everywhere.  Ashley Huhn with Steffes Auction Group gives us a glimpse of what he's seeing in trends. Dr. Joe Lauer, UW-E...

Even with Mental Health Month ending in May, the focus on mental health does not stop there. Whether it is with adults or children, maintaining a healthy mind is key to a fully healthy lifestyle. Farm Director, Pam Jahnke was able to visit with Jana Davidson of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation about taking care of yourself and others through stressful times. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Sara Grade, Manager of Products and Product Training, discusses how they can make their insurance products better for their clients. Coverage of farming and rural properties and assets can require some additional coverages and out of box thinking. Rural Mutual Insurance is focused on making sure they are meeting the needs of farmers and rural communities in Wisconsin. Premiums paid here, stay here...

Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean & Small Grain Specialist, explains what the sudden cold overnight lows could mean for Wisconsin farm fields. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's still hope that the Dane County Farmers Market will return to the Capitol Square soon. Jamie Bugel, Dane County Farmer's Market Co-Manager, says the current arrangement using the Alliant energy Center may change.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A total of $200,000 was available for this year’s Dairy Processor Grants, with a maximum $50,000 allowed for each project. DATCP received 18 grant requests totaling more than $630,000. As part of the 2021-2023 biennial budget, Governor Tony Evers has proposed increasing the available funding for Dairy Processor Grants to $600,000 each year to address the need for additional support to the da...

The newly formed Wisconsin Meat Goat Association is looking to grow and share resources and knowledge with meat goat producers around the state. Matt Harried and Nicole Davis, both members of the group share the goals of the WMGA and what the future holds. The WMGA focuses on both adults and junior members, commercial and show goat producers alike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

College graduations have ended so what does the future look like for graduates? Jodie Weyland, Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) Graduate, is optimistic of where her life is taking her on this weekly feature of youth involved in agriculture.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wedding and event barn industry in Wisconsin is alive and well! With well over 200 barns scattered across the state, there are plenty for people to choose from. I was able to stop out at Bridle Barn & Gardens in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin to visit with owner, Robin Marohn, to learn more about what makes their barn unique and about the industry as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Sunflowers have more of a benefit than just pictures, they are healthy for you too! Listen to John Sandbakken, the Executive Director of the National Sunflower Association, to hear how you can benefit from sunflowers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The "Zing Factor"!  It's something brand new for Wisconsin Farm Technology Days according to Eric Ryg, one of the owners at Huntsinger Farms just outside of Eau Claire.  To help visitors get a better handle on the horseradish they prefer, they've come up with the "Zing Factor" as a means of measurement! Sunflowers are more than just a backdrop for photos, they're turning into a great cro...

Brandon Scholz, Executive Director of the WI Grocers Association, says that pandemic related challenges continue in Wisconsin.  Grocers are getting "shorted" on requested orders, and the battle for employees continues. World Pork Expo returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds after a two year absence.  Keri Retallick, executive director of the Wisconsin Pork Association, says her members wel...

Jenni Tilton-Flood, is a busy Maine dairy producer who's making it her mission to get other farmers to sign up for the Covid vaccination. Jeff Hicken with the Department of Public Instruction says that the pandemic took its toll on Wisconsin's agriculture educators.  Vacancies are starting to add up. Focus on Energy is ready to mobilize and get out to agribusinesses that see big energy consum...

As with many things over the past year, the Wisconsin FFA has been forced to hold many events virtually instead of in person. One of the most complex virtual events has been their Career Development Event competitions held through April and May. Walter Taylor, agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Oconto Falls High School, served as one of the main coordinators of the event. He was able to shar...