MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Recent rains will give many Wisconsin farmers a sigh of relief, including Steve Louis, President of Oakwood Fruit Farm in Richland Center.  This apple orchard was dry going into the growing season.  Steve explains how the industry's changed and what consumers need to look for. Jim Dell is the General Manager of the new entity created when Landmark Services Cooperative and Countryside Coo...

USDA is ending the Farmers to Families Food Box program, but there's nothing in place to replace it.  Bob Bosold talks with Dr. Michael Dykes from the International Dairy Foods Association about the situation and its impact on the dairy industry and those in need. President Joe Biden's looking at some major tax changes and farmers are watching those moves - especially when it comes to transit...

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is pulling together their deer management plan for 2021, and accepting input. Jeff Prizil, DNR Wildlife Biologist, explains the procedure. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has launched a search for "Heroes of Hope".  A campaign to recognize all the good deeds done in rural communities.  Cassie Sonnentag with WFBF explains. As the growing season unfo...

Wisconsin farmers pay attention to their water use whether it rains or not.  A recent survey released by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers points out the cooperation. Tamas Houlihan, Executive Director of WPVGA, explains the cooperation farmer growers have been extending for years. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Federal Milk Orders are complicated and confusing - but change may be coming.  Pam talks to John Holevoet, Director of Government Affairs for the Dairy Business Association.  DBA, along with Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Minnesota Milk and Nebraska State Dairy Association have joined forces to propose a Class III Plus plan.  John explains their goal, and how long it may take to acc...

Four dairy groups are proposing a Class III Plus plan to protect dairy farmers from the negative impact of Producer Price Differentials (PPD's).  Dairy Business Association, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Minnesota Milk along with Nebraska State Dairy Association are working on the plan. Keeping accountability in place with all the federal funding streaming into Wisconsin is a priority for Se...

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Using your smartphone or digital camera, take photos of what’s happening on your operation during planting season. Videos may be too large to email as attachment, so you can email them to us via mail drop (iPhone), Google Photos (Android), or any other file sharing service. A few ideas: If you're comfortable, we’d love to see the people that make it happen set against the backdrop of y...

The fervor over growing hemp in Wisconsin has apparently cooled - at least that's the story that this year's permitting requests shows.  Brain Kuhn with WDATCP says there's a lot of reasons why growers and processors might be stepping back a bit this year. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is monitoring the Climate Change conversations in Washington, D.C. and reminding fellow policy makers that...

Sustainability is a tricky phrase to get a handle on - especially if you're a farmer overseeing a lot of different projects related to your land.  Bob Bosold talks about the message that Wisconsin's dairy farmers are sharing with interested consumers about their sustainability plans through Julia Nunes, current Alice in Dairyland. Their tuition is paid - they've got jobs waiting with signing...

A Wisconsin dairy farmer today will host an hour long "barn tour" for school kids that could literally reach millions!  Heather Jacquet from Pulaski and her son, Evan, will wrap up their involvement this time around with Adopt A Calf. Reinvigorating rural communities is tough work.  More and more people are considering moving to rural communities, but what must be done to attract them an...

BIG milk production numbers were released on Wednesday by USDA, but the real driving news might be coming from the recent GDT auction.  Cody Koster with EverAg, explains the milk production figures and what regions to focus in on, and then the high prices some dairy products are still quoting in world markets.  Is the U.S. still poised for sales? The success of "Boxes of Fun" has led the...

Wisconsin Senator Joan Ballweg is keeping the ball rolling on farm related policy at the state house.  As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she's got bills flowing focused on the state's ag export picture, as well as assisting meat processors.  She discusses her game plan with Pam Jahnke. Gloria Regan is one of the farm participants involved in this Saturday's "Meet Your Local F...

Crave Brothers Farm - Waterloo - has been practicing sustainability before it became "a thing".  Mark Crave talks with Josh Scramlin about the farms philosophy and how they use the latest technology to make sustainability profitable. Julia Nunes, WI Alice in Dairyland, will use Earth Day as a platform to discuss what dairy farms are doing toward sustainability. John Hineberg from Total Farm M...

Wisconsin's third district congressman, Ron Kind, has introduced legislation to try and help large animal veterinarians, specifically in rural areas. Eau Claire county is getting busy fast, preparing for the 2021 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.  Bob Bosold brings an update with EC Chair, Mike Gintner. Ag Economist, Dan Basse, talks with Pam about the world consumption trends he sees as restri...

The merger's complete.  Landmark Services Cooperative and Countryside Cooperative have become one.  That's a feat easier said than done. Pam sat down with both board presidents to discuss their perspective on the merger and what they saw as the process unfolded.  John Creaser, board president for Countryside Cooperative, and Jim Lange, board president for Landmark Services Cooperati...

Two of the state's larger cooperatives have become one.  The announcement earlier in 2021 that Landmark Services Cooperative and Countryside Cooperative would merge has created some obvious questions from farmers and patrons. Pam sits down with both board president's, John Creaser - board president from Countryside Cooperative, and Jim Lange - board president from Landmark Services Cooperativ...

Today is Dairy Day at the Capitol and it's going to involve state policy leaders as well as representatives and senators from DC.  Amy Penterman, President of Dairy Business Association updates us on the process with Bob Bosold. Senator Joan Ballweg from Markesan has introduced legislation to boost Wisconsin's ag exports.  She explains that the policy was already in the works before the...

USDA has announced they are ending the Farmers to Families Food Box program.  It has been responsible for about 150 million of the food boxes distributed across the United States.  Ryan Yonkman with EverAg says that dairy markets were quick to react, but there may be another program being announced soon as a replacement. NR151 will be getting a lot of attention from the states farmers an...

There's some confusion among farmers and SNAP recipients around recent announcements related to federal monies.  Sherry Tussler with the Hunger Task Force in Madison breaks it down.  Governor Evers has secured more federal money, but it will only go to SNAP recipients to spend in grocery stores.  There's no new funding for food banks and their work.  Tussler's hoping farmers an...

The Mill Creek Watershed is located in Portage and Wood Counties in central Wisconsin.  It covers approximately 32,548 acres starting at the city of Marshfield and flowing east/southeast to Stevens Point where it joins the Wisconsin River. This area is primarily agriculture - but as our guests point out, it's also an area where people enjoy water sports and a lake lifestyle. Listen in as Rick...

It's probably not obvious, but when you pass a Madison bus, or a garbage truck - you can think of a Wisconsin farmer.  Through a partnership with Wisconsin soybean checkoff dollars, many of the fleet vehicles that are on the streets of Madison will be running on biodiesel made from soybeans, with more of the fleet turning to that renewable resource in the future.     See omnystudio....

What can 10 little Wisconsin dairy calves do?  Plenty when it comes to capturing the attention of classroom students and teachers around the United States! The "Adopt a Cow" program created and administered through the Center for Dairy Excellence and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin adjusted things a bit to introduce K-8 students to 10 Wisconsin dairy calves.  The students got to monitor daily...

The bill will require the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to work with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to create a plan and achieve export objectives by June 30, 2026. “Wisconsin’s agricultural exports are the backbone of our second largest industry. I’m glad to see that Governor Evers recognizes the importance of dairy, meat, fish a...

It's go time for Wisconsin potato growers!  As long as weather cooperates, Tamas Houlihan with the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers, says planting is beginning. The state's largest outdoor agriculture event is on like Donkey Kong for 2021.  Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will happen July 20-22 in Eau Claire County after being put on hold a year.  Mike Gintner, chair of the exe...