MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Today, we head to Aissen Tree Farm, a family operation rooted in Kewaunee County since 1988. For 36 years, Jeff Aissen and his family have grown hand-tended Christmas trees across 70 acres of rolling hills just south of Luxemburg. Their choose-and-cut farm is known for its handcrafted wreaths and greens, a full Christmas gift shop, and a holiday experience that blends tradition with comfort. Visit...

The temperatures are dropping, leaves are changing color, and football is in full swing; these are all signs that Thanksgiving is almost here. The centerpiece for most of these meals will be the turkey, but this year there are less birds in the barns due to Bird flu. Ashley Kohls the executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, gives us a look at if those lower numbers of live b...

Maddie Dobbs was always interested in pursuing a career where she can advocate for agriculture. After completing her Associate's Degree in Agribusiness, Science & Technology, Maddie began to seek out her dream role. After trying a few positions, she hadn't found the perfect fit. About 3 1/2 years ago, that changed when someone told her about the Professional Experience-Based Technical and Voca...

To keep American agriculture strong, commodities are moved across the country via road, rail or river. Jimmy “JRock” Cheatham is a Pilot Captain at Hines Furlong Line Inc. The barges he navigates down the Mississippi River play a crucial role in transporting products. He walks us through how the size and scope of these barges keep agriculture moving along the Mississippi River.  S...

Wisconsin honey producers are wrapping up their season by making sure their bees are prepared for the winter.  Kiley Allan visits with the current president of the WHPA, Tracy Malterer from Iron Ridge.  Malterer says the erratic weather gave beehive managers some problems throughout the year.  It's led to lower honey output overall, and continued concern over hive health through the...

Mother Nature is commonly known for throwing producers some curveballs. Whether you're growing crops, raising livestock or keeping bees, the weather is sure to keep you on your toes. Tracy Malterer is the President of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. She shares the projected yield of the 2025 honey crop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a campaign celebrating everything that makes Wisconsin dairy farmers one of a kind — our pride, our work ethic, and our quirks. It’s funny, it’s real, and it reminds people that being “Born to Dairy” isn’t just a job — it’s a way of life. One of the stars of Wisconsin Originals – Born to Dairy , Andrew Christenson — or as folks...

If you feel like Wisconsin weather patterns have gotten a little more excessive - you're not alone! The Wisconsin State Climatology Office along with the Rural Partnerships Institute and Wisconet are road tripping beginning in December.  They're goal isn't just seeing rural Wisconsin, they want to hear from people living in rural Wisconsin about how they're gathering their own weather informa...

The federal government remains shutdown, and Wisconsin farmers are left without many of the tools they count on at this time of the year.  Stephanie Hoff takes a closer look at how private businesses are trying to work through the situation.  Rene Johnson, senior vice president of ag lending at Lake Ridge Bank and Jessica Sarbacker, vice president of crop insurance at Lake...

The 98th National FFA Convention wrapped up on Saturday, but the duties of the new national officer team are just beginning!  Jill Welke caught up with the new crew and found out a little about their backgrounds and how they arrived on this grand stage. More sunshine on the way today, but you better enjoy it.  Stu Muck says the windy conditions today will bring in clouds and rain potenti...

Dane County is moving forward on water quality efforts with a new Community Manure Treatment Feasibility Study from its Land and Water Resources Department. Watershed Manager Kyle Minks says the report identifies potential sites for a community digester based on factors like proximity to farms, utilities, transportation routes, and environmentally sensitive areas. Of the seven townships studied, t...

In the Assembly Agriculture Committee, two key ag policy discussions are ongoing, from who can own farmland to what happens when your farm equipment breaks down. Assembly Ag Committee Chair Representative Travis Tranel joins us to talk about a proposal that would ban foreign adversaries from buying Wisconsin farmland, and another that would give farmers a “right to repair” their machin...

This year's Wisconsin Farmers Union Conference agenda is full of exciting news and discussion topics. To be held December 12-14, at the Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells, the event is celebrating its 95th anniversary. Danielle Endvick, Executive Director of Wisconsin Farmers Union, says that with exciting conversations and a full agenda, there is something for everyone. See omnystudio.com/...

Following the Global Ethanol Summit in Washington DC, nine groups traveled across the US to learn about the Ethanol Value chain. One of those groups was a delegation from Mexico. They found themselves, right here, in Wisconsin. One of their stops was Reeb Farms in Whitewater. There, they saw harvest in action. Walter Julián Ángel Jiménez is the Secretary For Energy Development...

Making sure you are getting what you need out of your health care is very important for the rural community, but it may be hard to know exactly it is you do need. Those needs change if you have children or are a farmer. Stephanie Plaster a Business Development Outreach Specialist with extension says that not two situations are the same. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harvest is nearing its end and according to Brant Smith a District Sales Manager for Wyffels out of Winnebago, Boone and McHenry counties in Illinois it has come with variability. He says that they have seen a wide range of yields due to drought and disease pressure on fields. Smith also says that the last couple weeks of harvest look to bring good weather to close out the season. If you have any...

Wisconsin is getting more and more interest from data center developers.  It's not new to the state.  Michael Greif, fellow with the Midwest Environmental Advocates says that information transparency is critical for residents near these centers.  He says knowing where power lines will be located is particularly important since utilities have been using "imminent domain" to secu...

Wisconsin soybean growers are closely monitoring what's happening specifically with US/China agriculture discussions.  Friday the WI Soybean Association issued a statement expressing optimism about the progress, but also anxiety about market already lost.  Bob Bosold talks with WI Soybean past president, Sarah Stelter, about her strategies facing these market issues. She stresses how imp...

We’re diving into the upcoming WWASH Conference, where Wisconsin agriculture comes together to advance water quality, soil health, and conservation. The conference is Dec. 16-17 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. Now in its third year, WWASH combines the former Discovery Farms and Cover Crops conferences, creating one event focused on both research and real-wo...

As the federal government shutdown drags on, the uncertainty around FoodShare funding is rippling through Wisconsin’s grocery aisles. The Trump administration announced plans to partially fund SNAP benefits after payments were delayed on Nov. 1, but the impact is already being felt across the food supply chain. Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, joins us to...

Many know the Silicon Valley as a region in Northern California that is a hub for technology innovation, but have you heard of the Silicon Valley of Bull Semen? Sophie Eaglen, International Program Director at National Association of Animal Breeders tells us why Wisconsin and the US lead the world in dairy genetics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October is pork month and Kiley Allan has a couple suggestions on how you can help celebrate!  She visits with Keri Retallick, executive director of the WI Pork Association.  Retallick explains the unique flavor profile that pork can offer a recipe. Some clouds and sprinkles may roll in today before trick-n-treaters hit the streets.  Stu Muck gives us our spooky forecast f...

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory syndrome, more commonly know as PRRS, is the most economically damaging disease to the US pork industry. According to studies done by Iowa State University, it is estimated that PRRS cost producers $1.2 billion dollars in 2024. That staggering statistic is exactly why Extension Swine Outreach Specialist Jeff Morris is invested in sharing information about the d...

This Halloween the scariest thing you see might not be a ghost, zombie, or a witch. It might be that 10-point buck on your trail camera standing in front of your car. Lt. Nate Henriksen with the Wisconsin State Patrol shares some tips to make sure that when you're driving between trick or treat locations you don't get a scare from a deer. He says to remember not to swerve if a deer walks in front...

Wisconsin potato growers are battling both uncooperative weather and tough market conditions this fall. Prolonged heat delayed harvest across the Midwest, forcing farmers to work overnight to protect crop quality, while the frost now threatens what’s left in the ground. Despite decent yields, prices have fallen under pressure from oversupply and reduced demand. Alsum Farms Manager Ryan Walth...