MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Immigrant labor from across the state will be marching at the State Capitol on Wednesday - asking the state to restore their options on getting a drivers license.  Voces de la Frontera’s Director, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, expects thousands to be in Madison - including a lot of dairy workers! The big question - how many acres nationwide will switch from growing corn this year to soybeans...

They're very small - but very powerful.  Dairy cultures and enzymes that Wisconsin cheesemakers lean on for developing new flavors are a highly guarded secret for most.  Working on future cultures and enzymes is what Dave Potter of Dairy Connections is all about.  Reba McClone has more. Dallas Wuethrich, former president of Grassland Dairy Products, Inc. in Greenwood, was named the...

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Last fall, Americans turned in 900,000 pounds of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 Take-Back sites operated by the DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners. With the new Google search function and the new sites it will make ava...

Jim Mulhern, President/CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation believes that no matter the size of dairy, the new Dairy Margin Coverage program under the 2018 Farm Bill will offer them some relief, and some risk management.  He was in Madison at the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperatives board meeting and visited with Pam. A strong dollar has been pounding grain prices this week.  Plus, Afri...

Reba McClone found an interesting program during the Midwest Horse Fair.  Operation Wild Horse - which pairs veterans with horses as a therapeutic way for them to deal with some of the trauma they experienced in military service. Bryce Knorr with Farm Futures joins us to set the trade day up with news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fields may not be ready to go yet, but Dr. Shawn Conley, UW Soybean Extension Specialist says it's a good time to review details for success. Women make up more and more of Wisconsin agriculture's land owners.  That can be a big responsibility if you're not from a farming background.  Reba McClone reports on seminars that will help get a handle on doing it right. See omnystudio.com/liste...

Wisconsin's finally seeing some spring flowers pop out of the ground, but they pale in comparison to the blooms happening in Holland.  Tulips and flowers in general are big business for Holland, as Michelle van Schie, press representative for Royal FloraHolland explained their marketing to Pam on her recent Holland Farm Tour. Lots of interest in hemp production in Wisconsin, but Larry Konopac...

This is an ideal time of the year for consumers that want to know not only where their food comes from, but how it's produced - to "subscribe" with local farms for fresh produce, fruit and meats! CSA Coalition, headquartered in Madison, coordinates more than 40 local farms in reaching potential customers.  Over time, these farms have adjusted what they offer their clients and how often. Find...

Wisconsin Senator, Howard Marklein's, just one of the elected officials hearing from farmers and agribusinesses on the positives they see in the proposed "Dairy Innovation Hub". More and more consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it's produced.  CSA's - community supported agriculture - farms can connect those dots.  Now is a great time to enroll in "subscription far...

Dr. Paul Weimer, Associate Professor of Bacteriology, Emeritus at UW- Madison, shares his experiences working with dairy researchers in South Africa. Bryce Knorr, commodity specialist with Farm Futures magazine, sizes up the market influences going into a holiday abbreviated week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Karl Martin, Dean of UW-Extension, says they're optimistic that some state funding that had been removed in previous administrations might come back under Governor Tony Evers.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2019 Dairy Calf & Heifer Association's annual business meeting and trade show returns to Middleton next week.  Reba McClone's got details. The first of the season crop progress report didn't have much meaningful to say for the market, but Bryce Knorr with Farm Futures magazine's got the rest of the influencing news ready to go. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucas Conmey is State Insurance Product Officer with Compeer Financial.  Although implementing the 2018 Farm Bill may be taking longer than initially hoped, there are some critical risk management tools coming.  Conmey reminds farmers that today, these products are viewed as insurance policies - not government programs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students interested in the Dairy Science program at UW-Madison have a chance to find out if the program is the right fit for them.  The Spring Visit day on April 5th gives prospective students the chance to learn more about the program and campus, as well as hear form former and current students. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike North with Commodity Risk Management Group in Platteville has been keeping a keen eye on the trading pattern for barrel and block cheese this week.  Is it real or fabricated?  Things get interesting when you end a week, a month and a quarter. Apple production requires patience.  Not just patience with the plant, but patience with the pocketbook too.  Reba McClone's got an...

UW-Madison's Dairy Science Department's opening their doors to high school seniors and their parents on April 5th for a snapshot of what life is like on campus.  Dr. Ted Halbach, professor in the dairy science department, tells Reba McClone that it's a chance to see if there's "a fit". Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures magazine, has some insights into why soybeans tumbled on Wednesday, and what's ahe...

As members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau attended Ag Day at the Capitol water quality and transpiration were noted as two issues members found to be of the most importance.   Listen in as Reba McClone talked with attendees and Wisconsin legislators about the issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday dairy operators that are looking at ways to enhance the price they get for the product they produce will be in River Falls.  The Wisconsin Farmers Union is holding a "Value Added" forum to help pave the way on those ideas.  Reba McClone talked with Julie Bomar who's organizing the event, about a Milwaukee woman that wanted to help farmers get there. Bryce Knorr showcases the la...

For farmers looking for some hay to get them through to spring - the search may be difficult and the price, a surprise.  Retired UW Extension Forage Specialist, Dr. Dan Undersander, says there's been fewer acres planted, and last falls wet weather compromised the hay quality available. K9 officers get special treatment by staff at UW-School for Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Courtney Arnoldy...

As the first Water Quality Task Force hearing unfolded at the Capitol on Wednesday, some 300 Wisconsin farmers gathered just blocks away for Ag Day at the Capitol.  Water quality was on their agenda too! Markets are jittery after the Federal Reserve announcement Wednesday.  Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures, updates us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warm days and cool nights are the ticket for Wisconsin's maple syrup producers.  Over the weekend, the state officially kicked off the season with a proclamation and tapping ceremony in Reedsburg.  Markets will be watching the meeting of the Federal Reserve today and tomorrow to gauge not only Wall Street activity, but commodity action too.  Bryce Knorr with Farm Futures gives us hi...

40 Years of Legends!  That's the theme for the 2019 Midwest Horse Fair, April 12-14, at the Alliant Energy Center grounds.  Megan Hanuszczak, executive director of the show, says they've got special artwork celebrating the anniversary - along with some unique acts and "star" appearances!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's Farm Service Agency offices remain busy gathering damage reports from heavy snow.  Sandy Chalmers, Executive Director of Wisconsin's FSA offices, says they're nearing the end of that process.  She also expects that they'll soon have details on the 2018 Farm Bill and the application process farmers have to go through for various programs.  One area they're focused on righ...

Because hemp production is still viewed as a "research pilot" project - farmers and processors cannot insure their barns, grow houses, or any facility that may be storing the crop.  It's still considered a controlled substance, and deemed uninsurable.  Wisconsin's Rural Mutual Insurance is standing ready though, with policy coverage options, just as soon as Wisconsin Department of Ag off...

Governor Tony Evers has announced he's looking forward to the summary and suggestions from the Dairy Task Force 2.0, chaired by Dr. Mark Stephenson from the UW Center for Dairy Profitability.  The entire task force will meet again on Friday in Sheboygan and Stephenson says there's a lot to tackle. Wisconsin soybean grower, Brad Kremer, will be on his way back to Washington, DC, then on to Mor...