MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The weekend is looking to be a mild one with temperatures reaching the 50's in the state. This is according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. Wisconsin harvest is wrapped up and fared a little worse than in previous years. Ben Jarboe talks with Grant Holley, the Executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, to see what the numbers look like. Don't worry though, Wisconsin is...

The Wisconsin Agribusiness Association has been working tirelessly to make sure their members stay afloat during these uncertain times. The new Executive Director of WABA, Grace Howe, gives insight into what they have been talking to the state’s policymakers about. She also gives insight to what can be expected from their annual conference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

This weekend looks to be one of the last good weekends to get outside and do some work. This is according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. The hemp industry is facing some turmoil as the recent bill passed to reopen the government has language that looks to gut the industry. Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke talks with Phillip Scott, the president and founder of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers & Manufactu...

Renk Seed is a long-time family-owned business that continues to work for the growers. Karl Bobholz the Corn Products Manager for the company says they are unique because they have their own breeding operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freezing fog covers the state, but sunshine should be coming by the end of the week according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. Winter conference season is here and one of the first to start is the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. Bob Bosold talks with Mick Homb the General Manger of the cooperative to see how their first few meetings have gone.  MAHA is a hot topic in the country today, and it may l...

From the pastures of Waupaca County to leadership tables across Wisconsin, Rachel Bouressa wears many hats. She’s a beef farmer, an agriculture advocate, and a conservation coach. On her family’s farm near Royalton, she practices rotational grazing and works to help other farmers overcome the challenges of starting their own conservation journey. She tells Stephanie Hoff about what it...

Now that farm fields have been harvested it's time for snowmobilers to get active.  Not on their machine, but in posting the trails that riders will follow when the snow arrives.  In Wisconsin, that's a big job!  Ben Jarboe finds out about the human workforce that has to mobilize from Lori Heideman, president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs. She expla...

It's been an interesting season for Mississippi barge captain, Jimmy "JRock" Cheatham.  He is the pilot captain for Hines Furlong Line, Inc.  His  barge is 145 feet long, 48 feet tall and 45 feet wide.  Add to that the 6000 horsepower engines and crew - and that's a lot of responsibility!  He visits with Kiley Allan about the navigational challenges he saw this year,...

Meet Nick Thill, a beekeeper from West Bend, who’s taken on one of the state’s most unexpected challenges: bears. As chairman of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Bear Committee, Thill helps lead the charge on a growing issue. The committee was formed five years ago after black bears started causing serious trouble for Wisconsin beekeepers. Today, Thill is focused on pr...

Food safety is important all year long, but on Thanksgiving it's common to be preparing dishes that don't make the normal meal rotation frequently. Heather Quakenboss, the Extension Human Development and Relationships Educator in La Crosse County, walks us through the details. From giving yourself enough time to prepare to cooking your turkey to the proper temperature, Heather has the information...

Thanksgiving Day is the most common day for house fires, immediately followed by Christmas and Christmas Eve. Michael Wos is the Executive Director of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. He reminds us that, although the holidays are a busy time of year, it's important to slow down and think about fire prevention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The effects of the government shutdown have been felt across the county. Due to the time of year it took place and the length, there were a few impacts to research studies. State Soybean and Small Grain Specialist at UW-Madison, Shawn Conley cued us into a few ways it affected research. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a farm it is inevitable that some animals will not make it, and it leads to the farmers needing to figure out the best way to dispose of the carcass. This is made even harder if the animal is euthanized due to regulations that prohibit burying those animals. In DePere there is a business that works with farmers to cremate remains of the animals no matter how large. Lauren Underhill the Owner of...

Ever wonder what makes honey stay smooth, crystallize, or change color? There’s a lot more chemistry in that jar than you might think. That science is also what gives honey medicinal qualities. We’re visiting with Bob Binnie of Blue Ridge Honey Company in northeast Georgia, a honey producer who also purchases coast to coast, from California to New York, and from Wisconsin to Florida. B...

Wisconsin dairy is on a roll! Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board Member Ali Straschinske says farmer checkoff dollars are driving real results at home and abroad, according to the annual report. From marketing wins that made WisconsinCheese.com rank #1 on Google, to cheese exports reaching over 50 countries, today's Check In With Dairy Checkoff highlights the quality, care, and pride of Wisconsin da...

As the harvest comes to a close, many farms are already negotiating their land rental agreements for 2026.  Kelly Wilfert, UW-Extension Legal Specialist, says that getting things in writing is really critical.  In speaking with Jill Welke, she says simple things like hunting rights during a lease should be written down.  It protects not only the renter, but also the property owner....

If you look around the room at any agriculture conference, you'll see very few "young" faces.  The Wisconsin Honey Producers recognized that a few years ago and are trying to change that trend.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Stephanie Slater, board member of the WHPA.  She says their Youth Scholar Program has helped entice more young people into thinking about bees, including their 2026...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it might be wise to start shopping for deals.  Ben Jarboe gets the scoop from Ashley Kohl, executive director of the MN Turkey Growers about how HPAI has impacted their overall flock.  Kohl says grocery prices may not necessarily reflect the stress that the industry experienced late in 2025 since birds are used as a magnet to draw people into the...

After a couple November snows, it may have some Wisconsin residents thinking about the upcoming snowmobile season, but what might not get thought about is the preparation that needs to be done on the nearly 25,000 miles of trails in the state. Through the summer it is inevitable that some branches will grow and trees may fall. Lori Heideman, the President of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile...

You’ve heard us talk about labeling rules for dairy and meat, but what about honey? Today, we’re 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 out of stat...

Cranberries are a big deal in the state of Wisconsin and harvest is now wrapping up. This year brought in a lot of variabilities for all crops grown in the state. Grant Holley is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, and he says the rollercoaster of weather the state saw late in the season did have a bit of an impact on this year's crop. See omnystudio.com/li...

The 2025 Wisconsin Honey Queen Emily Sydow has ended her reign after a year of advocating for Wisconsin honey and educating the public about this sweet local product. Stephanie Hoff caught up with Sydow before she passed on the crown to go over some of the highlights of her year, including some of the educational tidbits that have stuck with her audience. Congratulations to Sydow on her year. And...

Thank you to all veterans for your service and dedication to our country. We recognize the sacrifices you and your families have made. Today, we honor and appreciate all who have served. Happy Veterans Day! The State Climatology Office wants to hear from rural residents. Their “Extreme Weather and Climate Services Roadshow” is about to kick off. Farm Director Pam Jahnke gets the detail...

The Wisconsin Honey Producers Association launched its Youth Scholar Program in 2020 to recruit younger beekeepers into an aging industry by providing 12–18-year-olds with equipment, bees, and a two-year mentor they can retain after completing program requirements. The association now has 18 graduates, with more applicants seeking spots for next year, explains board member Stephanie Slater....

Policy discussions, such as "Make America Healthy Again," and consumer trends, such as the "clean label" movement, are dominant forces in the food industry. The meat sector is actively responding, according to Division of Extension meat specialist Jeff Sindelar. Sindelar says the movement is particularly relevant to the meat industry because the product naturally starts as a whole food.  "I t...