MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

With more warm weather on the way, barge traffic on major arteries is being complicated with increasing water levels.  Bryce Knorr, commodity specialist with Farm Futures magazine, breaks down the news influences on the markets today. This is also National Groundwater Awareness Week.  An important component that Wisconsin agriculture's fully engaged in discussing. See omnystudio.com/list...

Women involved in agriculture will be getting more attention during the USDA Ag Census 2020 campaign.  Doris Wold, past president of the American Agri-Women Association, says they've worked to adjust some of the census questions to be more inclusive of not just women, but all farm partners. Compeer Financial wants women in Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin to know how important their voices a...

One Wisconsin cheesemaker walked away with two of the top places in the U.S. Champion Cheese contest Thursday night in Green Bay.  Marieke Penterman from Holland's Family Cheese in Thorp had the first runner up, and second runner up entries with her raw milk gouda cheese.  While she could've taken the center stage just for herself, instead she focused on the suffering her dairy friends a...

Today is the day for you to help end hunger. The Hunger's Hope Radiothon is happening now through 7 p.m. tonight. Your donation today will be DOUBLED* thanks to main sponsors Alliant Energy Foundation and Genesis Painting, and hourly sponsors Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, Certstaffix Training, City Waste, Inc., Madison Horizons Rotary, EZ Office Products, and Pick n' Save & Metro Market....

Tonight's the big night for Wisconsin cheesemakers at the U.S. Champion Cheese event in Green Bay.  As of Thursday morning - the state held 10 of the top 20 finalists positions.  Follow along on Facebook tonight as the Fabulous Farm Babe watches the action from the KI Convention Center in Green Bay! Bryce Knorr, Commodity Specialist, with Farm Futures says the market's waiting on more ne...

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association and The Water Council thank Senator Rob Cowles and Representative Joel Kitchens for authoring the “Pollution Prevention Partnership – Wisconsin’s Trading Marketplace” legislation (LRB-1244). The “Pollution Prevention Partnership – Wisconsin&...

Wisconsin's Rural Mutual Insurance agents have been very busy over the past couple of weeks working with farms impacted by heavy snow and ice.  Peter Pelizza, CEO of Rural Mutual Insurance says that they've handled hundreds of calls from clients struggling to clean up. Rural Mutual is also poised to help all the hemp producers in Wisconsin looking at the options that crop may offer them.&nbsp...

Just as predicted, there's plenty of people that want "in" on the ground floor of hemp production in Wisconsin.  Brian Kuhn, DATCP, updates the numbers and the procedure to get things rolling in 2019. Heavy snowfall and severe weather farther south have impacted barge traffic up and down the Mississippi and other water arteries.  Bryce Knorr, commodity specialist with Farm Futures magazi...

PJ Lesich, UW Extension Entomologist updates us on winters impact on both beneficial insects like bees, and pests like mosquitos. Katie Hepler from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is psyched up for the WIAA State Boys and Girls basketball playoffs because they'll be powered this year by chocolate milk! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The January milk price paid to Wisconsin dairies went up, and it might be a signal of some changes coming.  Mike North, Commodity Risk Management Group in Platteville, joins Pam to take a look at domestic dairy production and products, as well as a global update on what's happening.  One of the global developments to keep an eye on is African Swine Fever in China and its baby pig populat...

Brian Kuhn's staff at the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection has been swamped with applications to grow or process industrial hemp for 2019.  March 1st is the official deadline for applications, and to date, Kuhn says requested permits have quadrupled compared to last year! He's the final guest on today's show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible?  Could there be something positive out of all the ugly weather Wisconsin's experienced this winter.  Maybe. Dr. PJ Leisch, UW Entomologist, says we may not know truly until spring, but he's guessing that something like Emerald Ash Borer might have had their populations knocked back a bit with the Siberia-like temperatures the state felt.  But wait, there's more! See...

It's a concept that took share about 10 years ago.  Could farmers be paid for the carbon they're storing in the soil?  The market is still in existence but doesn't get nearly the attention that it did.  Could it see a comeback?  Tom Driscoll with the National Farmers Union was in Wisconsin explaining what it could mean for farmers and the tillage practices they've already been...

It's one of the hot conversation topics at a lot of conferences this winter - cover crops.  Whether farmers are doing it for grazing or just to hold soil in place, we're learning a lot about what it takes to be successful.  Heidi Johnson, Dane Co Crops and Soils agent is at the forefront of that education. Mark Hoffman's been involved in the WI Corn Growers for years.  That's why he...

The 95th USDA Ag Outlook Forum turned into a newsmaker on Thursday with an announcement that farmers will plant more corn and fewer soybean acres.  Those are the initial estimates for 2019.   Finding a market for conventional corn and soybeans is "old hat" for farmers.  Finding the same kind of market for organic corn and soybeans is much more problematic.  They're talking abou...

The government shutdown postponed the official bad news for Wisconsin dairy operations. The state saw milk prices erode again in December, while Wisconsin milk production actually went up.  Fewer cows - more milk. Today is the beginning of USDA's Ag Outlook Forum and it could be the newsmaker the market's been looking for.  Bryce Knorr - commodity analyst with Farm Futures magazine gives...

After the three day weekend, all eyes are on Washington, DC, and the renewed China/US trade talks.  Bryce Knorr's got the latest news the markets buzzing about. Gaelen Combs, WI State FFA Sentinel, says middle school students are very attracted to what the FFA offers them, and their enthusiasm shows during National FFA Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Vail, oncologist at the UW-School of Veterinary Medicine, is one of the team members currently focused on developing a vaccine that could prevent cancer.  It's National FFA Week and we kick it off talking with Wisconsin's FFA President, Amelia Hayden, about plans for the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Mark Hoffman, new president of the Wisconsin Corn Foundation, it's all about the next generation of Wisconsin farmers.  The goal initially is to raise money for scholarships so future corn growers can experience industry functions like the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo and Commodity Classic. The Wisconsin Pork Association's recognizing some its important contributors too. See omnystudi...

Disappointing numbers out of China overnight are setting the tone for another tough day in Chicago.  Bryce Knorr's got the latest updates! Meanwhile, the Wisconsin legislature has started pulling business items together that could impact farmers.  Sen. Howard Marklien, chair of the Senate Ag Committee, joins Pam to talk about the committee make-up and what he sees developing. See omnystu...

CEO Rod Hebrink, says customers of Compeer Financial will see a check in the mail starting this week.  Patronage dividends will be disbursed beginning in February with installments again in the fall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talks continue in Beijing with cabinet level meetings later this week.  Does the market think anything will come of it?  Bryce Knorr, Commodity Analyst with Farm Futures, shares his perspective. Wisconsin potato growers had one of their worst years in 2018, and they're still living with the repercussions.  Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Grow...

There were a couple new awards presented in Wisconsin Dells by the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association.  One - for Beef Quality Assurance to Dave Eron, Eron Beef LLC of Stevens Point.  The other to Fred Larson and Larson Hereford in Spring Valley as the Environmental Stewardardship Award. Cheeselandia!  Doesn't it sound like a wonderful place?  Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's helpin...

Wisconsin's Alice in Dairyland, Kaitlyn Reilly, is sharing the colorful message of Wisconsin cranberries for the upcoming Valentine celebration!  Not only does the fruit pack flavor - but also plenty of nutrition! Dr. Paul Mitchell, UW-Madison Ag Economist, shares some alarming numbers about farm bankruptcies in Wisconsin - and the untold number of farms that are close to bankruptcy but have...

Brad Kremer, soybean grower from Pittsville, is out in Washington, DC, talking biodiesel with elected officials.  Kremer's currently the treasurer for the American Soybean Association, and he tells Pam Jahnke that they're pushing hard to restore a blenders credit that's been missing for 2 years. Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures analyst, acknowledges that markets have been dull at best this week...