MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

There may not be much happening in Wisconsin agriculture right now, but elsewhere it's harvest time!  Don Molino, farm broadcaster in Louisiana, updates us on what those farmers have going on. The state's cranberry and potato growers might be interested in new legislation being introduced to provide about $500,000 in research investment from the state.  Josh visits with Sen. Patrick Test...

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) encourages schools and other institutions to register for the third annual Wisconsin Chili Lunch (WCL) on Thursday, February 25, 2021. Over 200 sites across Wisconsin have already registered, including 43 K-12 schools. These sites will serve a chili lunch with ingredients sourced from local farms to 29,883 K-12 students...

Building on Wisconsin’s deep-rooted history of land stewardship, a new program connects women committed to or exploring conservation practices, from building soil health to increasing habitat diversity. Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) brings together women landowners throughout the state to network with each other and with state and local agencies and experts. Kriss Marion with the W...

Wisconsin's selected another young farm couple to represent the state on the national scene.  Shane and Jen Sauer of Waterloo earned the honors during the Outstanding Young Farmer awards weekend in Neenah.  Josh talks with Jen about how persistence has paid off for the farming couple. Call that florist today if you want to be sure your bouquet is just right for Valentines!  That's t...

Compeer Financial and its board of directors are pleased to announce the organization will be returning approximately $197 million in patronage payments to member-owners in 2021. Member-owners received the first payment of $52 million this month.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

$43 million is the "ask" from Governor Tony Evers on his biennial budget for Wisconsin agriculture.  WI Ag Secretary Designee, Randy Romanski, discusses the plan with Pam. Consumers are very confused at the dairy and meat showcases in grocery stores.  Research done by Wisconsin's dairy industry prove it.  Now there's three bills under consideration in the state senate to try and cle...

If you're thinking fresh flowers for your Valentine - order early and talk to the florist!  That's the advice of Kate Penn, Chief Executive Officer of the Society of American Florists!  She talks about industry trends in light of the pandemic, world supplies of exotic flowers, and what you should know about getting your Valentine the right fresh cut flower arrangement! See omnystudio.com...

Legislation's designed to make sure consumers know what they're getting with Wisconsin milk, meat and dairy products.  Sen. Howard Marklein from Dodgeville started the campaign in 2020, and says he's excited to take up the discussion, and hopefully get something done - in 2021.  He visits with Pam Jahnke. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While schools are closed and millions of kids learn virtually at home, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) share a unique opportunity for kids to visit a farm without leaving the house. The two groups joined forces to create and launch a virtual farm tour of Scientific Holsteins in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, hosted by...

There's a new face leading Wisconsin's Senate Agriculture Committee.  Sen. Joan Ballweg from Markesan takes over for Sen. Howard Marklein as the lead for Senate ag policy.  Josh talks with the senator about priorities she sees developing in 2021. Tractor pulls - where are they now?  The entertainment that's a staple of many county fairs and community events went away in 2020, but wh...

Container shortages are turning into real challenges for agriculture and moving product internationally.  Bob Bosold talks to Bob Sinner from SB&B Foods about the situation. Governor Tony Evers is proposing $43 million in state funding for multiple agriculture projects ranging from farmer mental health resources to bolstering the state's meat industry.  Randy Romanski, WI Ag Secretar...

Gov. Tony Evers today announced his 2021-23 biennial budget proposal will include a more than $43 million investment in Wisconsin's agriculture economy and farm families aimed at expanding market opportunities, supporting new and innovative farming practices, strengthening the agricultural workforce, connecting local producers to foodbanks and pantries, and supporting farmer mental health and well...

Super Bowl Sunday is the pinnacle for a lot of food companies.  Josh Scramlin visits with Tom Super from the National Chicken Council on how many wings we'll enjoy. Dan Merk, Executive Vice President/CEO of Rural Mutual Insurance joins Pam for a big announcement on patronage rebates. Nitin Joshi from Dairy Management Incorporated talks about a new pizza that Pizza Hut is launching with 50% mo...

Winter may not seem like an ideal time for outdoor repair, but it's the only time that the Army Corps of Engineers can do maintenance on the lock and dam system.  Kaitlyn Riley talks with some of the staff handling that work now on the Mississippi River. Cattle producers are still wondering what's going on with their markets.  Dr. Brenda Boetel from UW-River Falls shares her perspective...

Farmers helping farmers.  That's the concept behind a pier group that's being formed through the WI Farm Center.  Scott Schultz visits with a farm woman in Barron County who is stepping in to help start the dialog. Here's another reason to celebrate Valentine's Day.  The Wisconsin State Fair's developed a new Strawberry Valentine's Cream Puff that will be available for a limited tim...

How has covid impacted your farming operation?  That's one of the goals of an ongoing survey being conducted by the Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service.  Bob Bosold discusses the survey with Greg Bussler, State Ag Statistician. Right to Repair.   It's a legislative movement that's happening nationwide to allow access to digital technology for "do it yourself" fixes.  Catch is, whi...

Knowing where your food comes from has become more important to today's covid impacted consumers.  How do you trust the labels you see?  Kaitlyn Riley talks to the coordinators of Where Food Comes From, a third party verification group. Today is the day that US Ag Secretary designee, Tom Vilsack, returns to Capitol Hill for his nomination hearing.  Josh Scramlin talked to WI Senator...

Extension and DNR are jointly hosting a series of four virtual workshops for livestock producers, key employees and their consultants 9:30-11:30 am Feb 2-5, with sessions for both farms considering expanding to WPDES (CAFO permit) size, and management aspects for those who already have a permit.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Large livestock operators will get a refresher on the permitting process required in Wisconsin for 500 animal units and more.  Next week CAFO requirement updates will happen and Kevin Erb, UW Extension, explains what topics they'll focus on with Pam Jahnke. Final installment on what grocery stores will look like after the pandemic.  Josh wraps up his series with the Supermarket Guru. Pat...

Farms have been looking for any kind of financial aid or support they can find, and fortunately the Small Business Administration has turned into a source.  Josh visits with the president of the Wisconsin Bankers Association on how operations should approach the next round of Paycheck Protection possibilities. Surprise!  There's actually a farm equipment show that will be happening with...

Keeping track of accidents and deaths in farm situations isn't easy information to track.  Melissa Ploeckelman from the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield talks with Scott Schultz about their efforts to track that information nationally for the first time. The Wisconsin wolf hunting season has been postponed to this fall despite pleas from farmers for protection from the predator.&nb...

Charlie Beren's is best known for his video work as "Manitowoc Minute" and "Cripescast".  Since 2018 he's been partnered with Dairy Farmers of WI to tell the story of our dairy farmers, the product they produce and the cheesemakers and industry support that's out there.  It's been eye opening for Berens too. Those shopping adjustments you've made because of the pandemic may stick! ...

Farmland values continue to remain firm despite the pandemic.  Matt Gunderson with Farmers National Company talks with Bob Bosold about how critical location, and local farmer demand is on values of farmland. The annual UW Ag Outlook Forum is happening virtually in 2021, but may actually be able to draw a bigger audience because it's all on line.  Josh Scramlin talks with UW Renk Agribus...

So many questions continue to swirl about the covid vaccine rollout.  Tamas Houlihan from the WI Potato & Vegetable Growers said they're making a case on why farmers, farm workers, and food processing workers need to be included in the phase 1b rollout plan. Farm accidents and fatalities happen, but we don't know how often they happen or why.  There's no database that tracks that inf...

There's new precision technology coming for farmers in 2021 that will allow farmers to submit their crop acres electronically.  Brad Meyer, Client Engagement Specialist with MyAgData.com, explains how they worked with USDA to make this technology available. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.