MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

In 2025 many Wisconsin county fairs were focused on more than just carnival rides and cotton candy.  Jayme Buttke, executive secretary of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs says they were also focused on measuring their real worth to their communities, and strategizing how to engage the next group of volunteers. Buttke says there's been an emphasis all year on a state economic impact study in...

As the season for charitable giving arrives, the Wisconsin 4-H program is reassuring donors that their gifts will have a greater impact following a recent administrative change in its fundraising structure. The Wisconsin 4-H program has transitioned its fundraising to the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, also known as the UW Foundation, which will now serve as its official 501(c)(3) no...

Wisconsin had a fairly successful harvest during the recent gun/deer season.  Ben Jarboe gets the details from DNR deer program specialist, Jeff Pritzl.  He says weather was an overriding factor to hunters' success again this year.  He also notes that it appears hunters donated more deer this year, helping local food pantries with increased demand.  He says high beef price...

A Rhinelander-based beekeeper reports that 2025 was a challenging year, marked by significant colony losses last winter and a severely reduced honey harvest this summer. Chris Hansen of Hansen Honey Farm tells Mid-West Farm Report the season began with an aggressive focus on recovery due to high overwintering losses.  "Coming off last year being just an absolute horrible year for losses, pret...

There's been an increase in demand for canned and frozen fruits and vegetables. Although the Holidays are upon us, it's likely not the only reason more people are reaching for the products. Nick Novak, President of the Midwest Food Products Association, gives us a peak behind the curtain when it comes to the effects of consumer trends and MAHA on processed fruits and vegetables. See omnystudi...

Our livestock industry doesn’t stand still. Animals are being transported across the state, and country, every day. Transporting is center stage at the Livestock Marketing Association. Jara Settles is General Counsel and Vice President of Risk Mitigation at Livestock Marketing Association. She tells us what the hot topics are at the Association right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Lithium ion batteries are found in many of the electronics we use in our every day lives. They're convenient and energy packed, but have also been known to combust. Michael Wos is Executive Director of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. He tells us what we need to know about these batteries and how to react if the situation heats up. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

It's common to see commercials featuring cold and sad pets during the holiday season. Often accompanied by moving music, these commercials urge viewers to donate. Unfortunately, the reality is that, typically, these commercials don’t support local animal shelters. Instead, they support animal rights and environmental extremist groups. Hannah Thompson-Weeman is the President and CEO of the An...

Despite a recent dip in net farm income, U.S. farmland values remain historically high, according to a specialty asset management expert. While a sharp run-up in prices occurred in 2021 and 2022, the market is currently in a plateau pattern, with strong demand supporting high-quality acreage. Cole Nickerson, Area Sales Manager for Farmers National Company, noted the contradiction between the strug...

Commodity marketing is a real struggle for Wisconsin farmers.  What could improve?  How should growers plan?  Ben Jarboe visits with UW-Madison Ag Economist, Paul Mitchell, about all the elements that influence prices from government programs to international tariffs.  Mitchell is currently organizing the 2026 UW Ag Outlook Forum that will take a closer look at various segments...

As Wisconsin fields enter dormancy, it's time to analyze the past season's pest pressures to inform planting and management strategies for 2026. While 2025 was largely an "uneventful insect year," one pest, armyworm, caused significant problems during its second generational flight. Emily Bick, an entomologist and Extension Specialist for field and forage crops, notes that the initial true armywor...

At the end of the week the state's largest farm organization gathers together in WI Dells for their 106th convention.  Jill Welke visits with the president of the WI Farm Bureau Federation as they approach the big event.  Brad Olsen says it's not just about policy development, but also community.  He says the fellowship elements at the convention can be just what membership needs to...

Despite a record harvest creating logistical pressure, the U.S. transportation system is currently keeping up with demand, thanks in part to recent investments and a temporary slowdown in export activity. Max Fisher, chief economist and treasurer for the National Grain & Feed Association, explains that global trade shifts provided a buffer. The current trade environment, particularly reduced g...

Despite the tight margins, there are still people that want to enter production agriculture!  Tay Fadtke with Marbleseed says it may not be large-scale farming at first, but it's a beginning.  Marbleseed has created a Farmer-to-Farmer exchange program that allows those starters to be mentored by someone who's been in production agriculture for a while.  Fadtke tells Pam Jahnke that...

We’re digging into what farmers can expect for the 2026 crop year with Koch Agronomic Services. As growers across the country continue to scrutinize their bottom lines and return on investment, Director of Agronomy Tim Laatsch is here to break down the trends and challenges ahead. This includes how input costs and availability are shaping up for the coming season, and why smart nutrient mana...

Brady Spangenberg, marketing director for crop protection at BASF, says zero percent financing is back! This aims to support farmers, ease stress, and enable early-season planning. He says 11 percent of BASF revenue is reinvested in research and development, constantly improving the products BASF offers. And don't forget about the Real Results Yield Challenge! This is a financial and agronomic opp...

We’re exploring a breakthrough changing the way farmers think about phosphorus. RhizoSorb® by Phospholutions is raising the bar for phosphorus efficiency, helping growers maintain or even increase yields while cutting applied phosphate by up to 50 percent. Byron Bredael, head of product, has the details, including how growers can save $2 to $3 per acre by improving nutrient utilizat...

In the United States, 80 percent of banks have agriculture in their portfolio. And these banks were successful in getting a bill through Congress to give them some tax relief in order to lower costs for their rural customers. Ed Elfmann is the senior vice president of agriculture and rural banking policy for the American Bankers Association. He tells us about how the ACRE Act made it to the finish...

’Tis the season for charitable giving! It's the time of year when individuals and organizations often open their pocketbooks to support causes they care about. One option is Wisconsin 4-H. Jessica Jens, Wisconsin 4-H State Program Leader, reminds us that the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has recently gone through some changes. Still, she reassures donors that their ability to give, and the impact...

You’ve heard us talk about labeling rules for dairy and meat, but what about honey? Today, Stephanie Hoff is  diving into how policy decisions impact the beekeeping industry, both here in Wisconsin and across the country. Joining us is James Hillemeyer, vice president of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association and co-owner of LB Works out of Plover, a beekeeping operation that travels...

The holiday season is approaching. And for some Midwesterners, it means lefse is on the table. If you’re not familiar with lefse, it’s a soft, Norwegian flatbread, and it’s a cherished staple during holidays and celebrations. But it doesn’t come easy – there’s an art to the generations-old tradition. One that Countryside Lefse in Blair, Wisconsin, knows well. We...

According to this year's Marketbasket survey, the cost of our Thanksgiving meal is down 5% from last year. Faith Parum is an Economist with American Farm Bureau Federation. She says that this is the 3rd consecutive year there has been a decline after a record high in 2022. She notes that the big story in this year's survey is the price of frozen turkey. It's helping lower pressure of higher prices...

Mallory Stowe is the artist of the School of Veterinary Medicine Holiday Card. The art, entitled Dashing Through The Snow, features a child and a dog taking a twilight sled ride down a snowy hill. Mallory says the art depicts the comforting relationship between kids and their dogs. The cards help give back to the community and can be ordered through December 12. Mallory tells us how she got t...

It’s time to apply for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This gives financial assistance to eligible producers for revenue, quality, or production losses to crops, trees, bushes, or vines from 2023 and 2024 disaster events. It has two stages. Applications for Stage 2 are open now. We’re talking about it today with Richard Fordyce, the...

After a mild weekend temperatures look to drop again according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. Thanksgiving is just about here and it has many wondering how light it will leave their wallets. Kiley Allan talks with Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau on what they found in their annual market basket survey. 2025 has been an all around unique year within the agriculture industry wh...