MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Kevin Krentz is the new president of the state's largest farm organization, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.  Bob Bosold visits with the dairy farmer from Waushara County about the policy adopted during their 101st annual business meeting - all online. Wisconsin's specialty cheese market has witnessed a 108% increase in sales this holiday season largely driven by online sales!  That...

Don't think the ripples caused by the pandemic and consumer shopping patterns have stopped in the dairy industry.  Phil Plourd, President of Blimling & Associates and DAIRY.com shared his insights with the Minnesota Milk Producers.  Kaitlyn Riley brings us some interesting insights. Dry ice and Wisconsin's ethanol industry are going to be critical components for the successful distri...

Suzanne Fanning, CMO and Vice President of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5-1!  Sounds like a deal doesn't it!  In reality it's 5 different organic farming conferences coming together in 2021.  Lori Stern, executive director of MOSES explains what they're hoping to accomplish. 11 cheesemakers and cheese industry leaders are being recognized during the annual Cheese Expo Global online experience come 2021.  Pam talks about it with John Umhoeffer fro t...

The pandemic is impacting people that may already be struggling.  Kaitlyn Riley visits with coordinators at Horse Sense - a therapeutic riding center that's struggling to meet demand. The state's largest farm organization has a new president.  Kevin Krentz, dairy farmer from Berlin in Waushara County take over the reins.  Plus Josh reminds listeners about submitting their Centennial...

Animal veterinarians are on call 24/7 - that by itself creates a stressful situation, but then it's compounded by having to deliver bad news to farmers that may not be able to pay for the visit.  A new support program's been launched to help Wisconsin's large animal vets persevere in the pandemic. The 101st WI Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting has concluded.  Two special awards wer...

Land and water conservation are critical components to the farming philosophy of this year's Leopold Conservation Award winners, John and Melissa Eron near Stevens Point.  Pam listens in as John explains his conservation passion. If you're trying to find farm land it can be a daunting task.  Josh talks with staff at Farmland Finder about how they're trying to innovate the process. 25 Gre...

Wisconsin had a successful gun deer season this year!  Josh Scramlin gets the numbers and trends from DNR staff member, Eric Lobner. It's on!  The 67th annual WI Outstanding Young Farmer awards weekend is moving forward with their face-to-face conference in January.  Cindy Matton, organizer, explains what they've got planned and what the program means. Zach Bowers from Ever Ag in Ch...

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Connecting consumers with local farmers has become critically important in light of the pandemic.  Near Rochester, MN, the normal FEAST! event does just that, but had to transition to an online experience.  Kaitlyn Riley brings us the story. Success!  25 small and medium sized family dairies in Green County have found a home for their displaced  milk while they pivot into makin...

25 Green County dairy farms are considering themselves a minor miracle in securing a home for their displaced milk after the dissolution of an agreement between Maple Leaf Cheese Cooperative and Maple Leaf Cheesemakers.  Will Hughes, consultant working with the farms, updates us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a new administration headed to the White House, Wisconsin dairy farms are still left in limbo on some international policy that could change how we label our cheese, for example.  Josh Scramlin talks with Rep. Mike Gallagher about what he's monitoring. We're all getting taxed trying to keep up with and consume all the virtual conferences and content happening for Wisconsin agriculture.&n...

A national award is on it's way to the Chippewa Valley Technical College.  Scott Schultz visits with the winner. While cabinet members are being assembled under the Biden administration, there's unfinished business that remains.  WI Rep. Mike Gallagher's got his eyes on a battle with the EU over the names of cheese - to name just a few sticking points. This week the 101st WI Farm Bureau...

No arguing that at least the Thanksgiving meal this year will be a deal - regardless of how many you're serving.  Pam talks to John Newton, Chief Economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation about costs and also about the changing dynamics with the Biden administration coming to Washington. We've heard the stories about Thanksgiving.  The Pilgrims and Native Americans - but is it all...

A couple new faces have popped up on the Wisconsin cranberry scene!  John Potter and Willie Traina have launched American Berry Company in Warrens.  Pam talks with Traina about the company and where it's headed. Farm women across 20 different states are celebrating 10 years of conversations with consumers about where their food comes from.  Common Ground is driven by volunteer farme...

It's done!  The 2020 harvest is basically wrapped up for most Wisconsin farms, but UW-Extension Corn Specialist, Dr. Joe Lauer, says it was only an average year.  His research trial results have been published for farmers to review. Bob Bosold recaps that with him. Thanksgiving may look different this year, but regardless of number of guests or what you feature - it's a deal!  Sarah...

Jes Beauchamp is the coordinator for the new WI Farmer Wellness Program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For families looking for a smaller Thanksgiving option at the center of the table, maybe a Wisconsin pheasant can fill the bill.  Kaitlyn Riley talks about those options with Ryan George, Food Products Business Manager from McFarlane Pheasants in Janesville. Heading to the woods on Saturday gets high tech with an app available through the WI Department of Natural Resources.  Caitlyn Henn...

Dairy industry analysts are paying attention to those trends!  Andy Faulman with Ever Ag in Chicago shares the latest trends he's noticing. It's another staple of the Thanksgiving meal - potatoes!  Wisconsin's a major player when it comes to potato production.  Josh Scramlin visits with Tamas Houlihan from the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers about production and holiday promotions....

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and despite the pandemic the nation's turkey growers have met the challenge.  John Burkel, a MN turkey producer, explains the in's and out's consumers didn't know about their bird. Wisconsin farmers have received over $960 million in federal support through the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program (CFAP).  Sandy Chalmers, state director of USDA's Far...

John Hineberg with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend keeps us posted on why dairy is falling off the table, and how long it might last. Eau Claire County is ready for WI Farm Tech Days 2021!  They're planning for a face-to-face experience just outside of Eau Claire. The new Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery building on the UW-Madison campus holds a lot of promise for the state.&nbsp...

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