MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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Walking in their shoes.  Kaitlyn Riley visits with Wisconsin pork producers still trying to manage through the upheaval caused by the pandemic.  One underlying story is how the community's responded and social media played a role. Is Wisconsin's agricultural voice still being heard in Madison after the election?  Josh Scramlin talks with WI Senator Howard Marklein, recently named co...

Lots of conversations about how different the holiday's will be when it comes to entertaining in light of the pandemic.  Turkey producers have been hearing this for months, but really can't do much to curtail the size of birds they'll be growing.  John Burkel, a Minnesota turkey producer, explains the situation to Pam. Innovation and partnerships have never meant more than now.  Bob...

“Twenty-five dairy farmers from the Green County, Wisconsin area need a home for their milk,” says Jeremy Mayer, Cooperative President. “We’re working hard to find a home for our patron’s milk after Maple Leaf Cheesemakers, Inc, our long-term cheesemaking partner, notified us that they will stop cheesemaking at our Cooperative-owned factory in Monroe on December 7.&rd...

With the harvest complete many farming operations are going to be asking some tough questions about 2021 and their current status.  Finding resources that understand their unique challenges can be tough.  Jayne Krull, coordinator of the Wisconsin Farm Center within the WI Dept. of Agriculture, reviews all the resources they've got available. Weather has been very cooperative for our farm...

Wisconsin livestock exhibitors got good news when they were allowed into the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville.  Josh visits with one of those exhibitors from the event. 25 dairy farm families in Green County are scrambling to find a home for their milk by Dec. 7th.  Pam updates everyone with Will Hughes, a consultant working on the problem with the farmers. It's...

Something Special From Wisconsin could be the answer to your holiday gift giving dilemma!  New this year - gift boxes prepackaged with great Wisconsin food gifts.  Josh Scramlin talks about the options with Julia Nunes, our Alice in Dairyland. Never before.  Never before had thousands of high school aged students gathered together on line to celebrate agriculture - until this year's...

You've been told your local butcher won't be processing venison this year.  Can you do it yourself?  What do you need to know or prepare with?  Kaitlyn Riley visits about that with Heather Quackenboss, LaCrosse Co Extension Agent. Next week is Veteran's Day and Wisconsin agriculture's reaching out to those veterans with programs giving them career options in farming and agribusiness...

Will the pandemic change the way we celebrate - for sure!  But what about what we feature for our smaller gatherings, holiday meals, and gift giving?  Michelle Trowbridge with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is working hard to make sure consumers keep getting messages and recipes featuring Wisconsin's Master Cheesemakers and all the holiday options Wisconsin dairy farms offer - despite the pa...

Matt Tranel with Ever Ag (formerly Commodity Risk Management Group) in Platteville breaks down how the markets are reacting in light of election result uncertainty.  Cheese prices making a notable move lower. Heart of the Farm is a staple for Wisconsin farm women and it's back again with "Coffee Chats" beginning November 9th.  Jenny Vanderlin, UW-Extension coordinator, explains the goal...

Pam Jahnke visits with John King of the Wisconsin DNR to chat about hunter safety. More folks are heading into the woods this year and they need to be safe, explains King. Josh Scramlin catches up with Andy Johnson, the new Program Coordinator for the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Program. Johnson is tasked with  assisting the needs of the nearly 70 Master Cheesemakers sprinkled throughout the...

Bob Bosold visits with Ryan Gerlich, NRCS program manager in the state for the EQIP program.  The conservation program sign up is underway and is generally popular in Wisconsin. It's a monumental week for Wisconsin's meat industry.  Friday is the dedication of the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Center.  Dr. Jeff Sindelar, UW Meat Scientist, highlights some of the buildi...

Kaitlyn Riley visits with DNR Solid Waste Coordinator, Casey Lamensky, about how they monitor landfill dumps for content and control. A Minnesota Extension Farm Safety Specialist is coaching farmers and their families on how to stay well both physically and mentally in light of the pandemic.  Pam talks to Emily Krekelberg, MN Extension. Wisconsin has just launched a collaborative effort to li...

Jayne Krull, coordinator of the Wisconsin Farm Center, has good news for farmers and their families.  There's yet another way to find some help and assistance if you're struggling.  A new tollfree hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, has been launched. Farmers and/or their family members can obtain free, confidential and unlimited counseling sessions by a licensed mental heal...

Just because there's been a fairly drastic change in Wisconsin's weather doesn't mean your finished with your garden!  Dane County Extension Natural Resources Outreach Specialist Mindy Habecker has been an instructor for the Master Composter program for a number of years and has many resources to share. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Blazek, coordinator for the Farm & Industry Short Course says going virtual has been an option discussed for the past few years - but the pandemic has accelerated that plan for students this fall.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although USDA just announced another $500 million in funding for a fourth round of "Farmers to Families Food Box" purchases on Friday - they'll have already exhausted those fund in purchases by THIS Friday!  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, explains. The National FFA Convention starts today - on line.  Wisconsin's State FFA President, Joe Schlies from...

Josh Scramlin finds out that Sauk County and the Badger Steam & Gas Engine grounds between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells are likely to be hosting Wisconsin Farm Technology Days 2023.  Matt Glewen, show GM, is his guest. Pork producers are still reeling from the affects of the pandemic.  Chris Murphy is a Senior Swine Loan Officer with Compeer Financial who's been helping producers navi...

Zach Bowers with Rice Dairy, LLC in Chicago joins us to talk strategy in dairy if the federal government doesn't renew the Farmers to Families Food Boxes. Wisconsin ginseng is still suffering from influences outside their control.  First it was tariffs and now its the travel restrictions because of the pandemic.  Dave Schumach, VP of the WI Ginseng Board, puts all the pieces together for...

So weather's changing and so are people's dining habits away from home.  For the northern tier of states, the option of eating outside is becoming less comfortable.  John Heinberg, Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, says that's leading to sharp drops in cattle prices. Venison - it's something many deer hunters are hoping to harvest in November, but will you be able to...

Dave Schumacher of Marathon can tell you about the struggles that Wisconsin's ginseng growers have been going through.  As vice-president of the Wisconsin Ginseng Board, he's been working around tariffs and now the impact of covid on travel. Bob Bosold caught up with USDA Undersecretary, Bill Northey, during a visit to Wisconsin.  He gets an update on all the aid packages growers have be...

Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist, has a general wrap up on the state's soybean growing season and yields - plus an update on why you should enter the Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contests!  Brought to you courtesy of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Again this year the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is standing by to pay for your soybean cyst nematode tests!  Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist, reminds all soybean growers that they can have up to 4 samples evaluated for free - thanks to soybean checkoff investments. Also, he reminds all operators to be sure you're cleaning out all of your equipment and avoiding transpor...

Get the details on how Culver's has made the Wisconsin cheese curd star on their menu everywhere with Quinn Adkins, Culver’s director of menu development. Josh talks to the only Master Cheesemaker in "curds" in Wisconsin - or maybe the world!  Steve Stettler of Decatur Dairy in Brodhead takes his curds seriously!  What's the difference between a good curd and a "bad" curd (if there...

We know Wisconsinites love cheese curds, but is that enthusiasm shared nationally?  We visit with Quinn Adkins, Culver’s director of menu development.  National Cheese Curd Day actually started thanks to Culver's back in 2015, and has grown to be a celebration for everyone! Aside from Quinn telling us about the cheese curd success that Culver's sees nationwide, Josh also visits wit...