MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Combines are in the fields and the experts at Wyffels Hybrids are tuned in! Lucas Clayton, District Sales Manager at Wyffels Hybrids, says corn harvest is off to a great start, and that both yield and quality are looking good. Wyffels Hybrids has effective tools both in the field and online that help you "Plant Your Independence. Their Harvest Progress Report is showing real time insights into cor...

As the leaves change and temperatures drop, your yard is getting ready for a new season, too. Don’t overlook landscaping projects this fall! Today, we’re visiting with Dane County Extension Horticulture Educator Lisa Johnson on smart fall landscaping tips to keep your outdoor spaces ready to thrive come spring. First, she says, there’s not a specific date to get your fall landsca...

This year's Wisconsin Science Festival will feature a special weather event at the Wisconsin Energy Institute on the UW-Madison campus. On October 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wisconet Manager Chris Vagasky  tells Stephanie Hoff that it will help introduce people to the behind-the-scenes of weather -- a topic that influences lives every day. He says Wisconsin is a weather hub as it's home to the...

Animal health and biosecurity are being threatened globally by a few different diseases and virus'.  Ben Jarboe gets the spooky outlook from Jamie Jonker, Chief Science officer with the national milk producers federation.  HPAI as a threat to dairy has been talked about often, but other conditions like Lumpy Skin disease, FMD, and new world screw worm remind producers to stay on their to...

Working for a better future in the dairy industry is the goal of the National Dairy Council, and part of reaching this goal is doing research and disproving myths about the health factor of dairy products. Audrey Donahoe, a dairy farmer from New York wears multiple hats to help reach this goal. She is the Chairwoman of the National Dairy Council and the President of the American Dairy Association...

As hunters spend more time in the woods, hoping to fill the freezer with venison and turkey, and as producers harvest beef now that the grazing season is over, jerky recipes start to come out of the cookbook. Today, we talk about best practices for making jerky at home. Extension Meat Specialist Jeff Sindelar has tips on flavoring, food safety, and how to get that perfect chewy texture every time....

The American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health and Sejfarms Consult Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strengthened collaboration to advance Nigeria’s fish production. Nigeria is the largest aquaculture fish producer in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 52 percent of the total farmed fish production in the region. Yet, Nigeria has a 2 million...

The 3 weeks before calving and the 3 weeks after is known as the transition period in a cow’s yearly lactation cycle. It’s also when they experience the most stress and hormonal changes. Eliza Ruzic, the North District Sales Manager at Zinpro, walks us through how we can help our cows feel their best, and produce the most. during the transition period. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Taking another approach to solar arrays.  That's the goal of new legislation that's been introduced by Rep. Scott Krug and Sen. Pat Testin.  Testin is the chair of the Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee.  He tells Pam Jahnke that his goal is to concentrate on using smaller parcels of ground for these solar projects, and focus on poor ground not productive farm soil.  Test...

Wisconsin dairy farmers, cheese makers and dairy processors continue to evaluate the international marketplace for opportunities.  Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin helps them pursue those opportunities. Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin says despite tariff talk, demand for Wisconsin's specialty cheeses, as well as things like dried milk, keep finding favor in the international marketp...

Labor has been an ever-growing need in the agriculture industry in recent years, and the H2A program has been through some turmoil with making sure foreign workers can stay. This led to Congressman Derrick Van Orden introducing the Agriculture Reform Act of 2025. The Representative says that this new act would allow these workers to continue working given that they go back to their home countries...

What we're hearing across all sectors of agriculture is that having a reliable workforce remains a number one challenge today. Karen Gefvert, chief policy officer for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Voice of Milk, says it’s an issue the organization is deeply engaged in. She also discusses the fact that the actual Farm Bill, the extended version, expired on September 30. Right now, we&rsqu...

Dan Schwandt was shocked and disappointed Thursday, October 9 when he learned that poultry shows in Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and Rock counties were suspended. Schwandt was in the middle of setting up cages Jefferson County Fair Park when he started getting text messages from friends about the announcement. Schwandt says he's shocked that he wasn't contacted directly by DATCP. He says when pre...

Whether you're in the barn or the milking parlor, MagnaWave technology can be used to to treat aches and pains in our livestock. Jessi Shafer is the Affiliate Sales Specialist with MagnaWave. She walks us through how the technology works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With over 100 years of history in the seed industry, Dairyland Seed is well aware that in agriculture -  you don't rest on your laurels. Ryan Mueller, product portfolio and agronomy leader at Dairyland Seed , joins Pam Jahnke to share his story with the company.  Mueller's actually been a part of Dairyland Seed since he was about 13.  Little did he know that he would be a critical p...

Boots on the ground innovation. That’s what can make the difference in a sustainable farming business, not just for the environment, but your bottom line. The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, otherwise known as SARE, has been helping farmers since the 1980s with grants and education that can turn on-farm ideas into real-world solutions. Cindy Bartel joins us from Hurtg...

Stepping off the colored shavings for the final time as a junior exhibitor brought a rush of emotion to Claire Betley. The junior at Iowa State University hails from Pulaski, Wisconsin. After exhibiting at World Dairy Expo for nearly a decade, she reflects on her journey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody's bucket list looks a little bit different.  For Tina Vilter, World Dairy Expo 2025 took one major item off her bucket list - being a judge.  Kiley Allan visits with the Waukesha native about how she's grown up in the dairy industry always admiring the physique of the dairy cow.  Vilter started doing visual evaluation and explaining her position while helping her dad milk...

As fourth generation dairy farmers, McCarty Family Farms doesn’t take “feeding the world” lightly and strives to use their farm as a force for good. For them, that means producing high quality milk while prioritizing animal welfare, regenerative farming and implementing impactful business practices for their team and community. McCarty Family Farms exemplifies a modern dairy farm...

How often do we sit back and notice the farming family ?  Doug Rebout and his wife, Christine, have made their life farming with his family just outside of Janesville.  Rebout says he loves talking about his family farm and how he works side by side with his brothers.  That's allowed him to enjoy some very special moments with his daughter, Natalia. Doug and Christine traveled to Uk...

The World Forage Analysis Super Bowl has a long history with the World Dairy Expo and one of the judges has been part of the competition for nearly 40 years. Dan Undersander is here to recollect how this competition that recognizes great forage in North America has changed throughout his time with the event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are keeping a close eye on their milk checks after changes went into affect on June 1. Danny Munch, Economist for American Farm Bureau Federation, breaks down Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO). He walks us through the the recent changes and what they have meant for producers. He encourages farmers to stay engaged with local Farm Bureaus, state officials and market administrators if ther...

Being asked to step into the center of the ring and sort world dairy expo is a feeling like no other. Tina Vilter McDonald served as the Associate Judge of the International Guernsey Show. Tina walks us down the road that lead her to Madison and describes the qualities judges are looking for in the cattle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural Mutual Insurance wants to draw attention to the importance of mental health in agriculture. Brittany Olson's journey with mental health began in her childhood, and has translated to her adult life. She put pen to paper as a method to help process her feelings. After publishing those words to a blog, she learned that she helped others feel less alone by sharing her story. Brittany and her hus...

It is the Rural Mutual Mental Health Week in Wisconsin, and it has us focusing on all aspects of mental health and the help that’s available. According to Megan Wolf the owner of SoulGood counseling in Lafayette County more farmers are realizing the importance of their mental health. She shares some of what the top issues conflicting farmers are.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...