MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

UW-River Falls faculty, staff, and a recent graduate traveled to Thailand this summer to learn about the country’s growing dairy industry and explore collaboration opportunities. Supported by a state grant, the project focused on building connections and even designing a Wisconsin dairy product suitable for export to Thailand, explains Grace Lewis. Today is actually the coolest of the days a...

Andy Grebner, District Sales Manager for Wyffels Hybrids in south central Wisconsin, says corn harvest is just getting started in the area. So far, the results are positive, but diseases have not been friendly to stalk quality. You'll want to check the integrity of your stalks and take notes for 2026. The difference between fungicide-sprayed and unsprayed fields could be as much as 40 bushels. Wyf...

Enjoying a grilled cheese at World Dairy Expo is truly a staple in the whole experience. And it’s brought to you courtesy of UW-Madison students. Grace Mansell who hails from Roberts, Wisconsin is a Biological Systems Engineering student on campus. And she’s spearheading the grilled cheese stand at Expo. Her passion for the dairy industry stems from helping her grandparents on their da...

Mike Berry, from Powell Butte, Oregon, makes a 5,000-mile round trip to Madison each year for World Dairy Expo. He's taken this journey more than 20 times since the mid-1990s. This year, he brought five show cows, making frequent stops along the way to feed, water, milk, and bed them. He’s built lasting friendships with small dairies in Montana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, where he can stop...

The Dairy Business Association promoted Chad Zuleger to executive director. Having nearly seven years of experience at DBA, Zuleger is dedicated to advocating for the state’s dairy community. As executive director, Zuleger will continue to lead DBA’s efforts in the state capitol. He also tells Stephanie Hoff that he will also direct DBA’s government affairs strategy, guiding publ...

For many people, their ag classroom hold fond memories, and according to Sally Ladsten, they're not the only ones who value agricultural education. Wisconsin FFA membership has hit an all time high and nationally, there are over a million members. Sally is the agriculture food and natural resources education consultant and state ffa advisor tells us about the growing ffa membership and the innovat...

This year's crop hasn't even been harvested but Wisconsin farmers are already looking ahead to 2026.  One big bill they're trying to find a way to pay is for fertilizer their crop will need. Shane Goplin is a farmer with HV Acres and a Wisconsin Corn Grower member.  He's watching developments in Washington that could help farms better understand what's happening with fertilizer supp...

Through a partnership with the Wisconsin Beef Council, more than half a dozen potential buyers came to Wisconsin from Central America to learn more about the beef supply chain. Lucia Ruano led the trade team; she’s a representative for the U.S. Meat Export Federation from the Dominican Republic. She says the point of the trade mission was to introduce buyers to quality beef – and Wisco...

The first round of the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program grants opens for application on Oct. 6. This application period will distribute $50 million in ARIP funding to support projects across the state focused on improving rural roads and culverts that are critical to moving and transporting agricultural and forestry products.   The 2025-27 Biennial Budget included $150 million to contin...

This year's Wisconsin Science Festival will feature a special weather event at the Wisconsin Energy Institute on the UW-Madison campus. On Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wisconet Manager Chris Vagasky will help introduce people to the behind-the-scenes of weather -- a topic that influences all of our lives every day. The Wisconsin Science Festival is a 10-day, statewide celebration of science, ar...

Although they've only been in business a year, an ice cream maker in Chetek is getting a lot of attention with his super premium ice cream.  Alan Kuschner captured the Grand Champion title in the World Dairy Expo Dairy Products contest with his chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  He explains his ice cream making philosophy to Bob Bosold, which has always focused on NOT using artificial a...

The recent worker strike at a Monroe cheesemaker highlights a larger issue regarding immigration. This is according to Wisconsin Cheese Maker Association Executive Director John Umhoefer. Last month, workers at W&W Dairy went on strike after new ownership required employees to verify their immigration status through E-Verify. John explains that E-Verify is a national program required for dairy...

Wisconsin Colleges have been back in session for about a month now and some students in the ag departments have seen changes to what’s in their curriculum. At UW-Platteville there have been advancements made to ensure students are getting the education they need. Tera Montgomery the Director of the School of Agriculture at UW-Platteville is here to share what they hope students get out of th...

For many people, their ag classroom holds fond memories, and according to Sally Ladsten, they're not the only ones who value agricultural education. Wisconsin FFA membership has hit an all time high and nationally, there are over a million members. Sally is the Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Education Consultant and State FFA Advisor tells us about the growing ffa membership and the innova...

Throughout the state farmers are getting back in the fields to harvest their crops, and this time of year brings about unique challenges for all on the roads. For farmers these challenges go beyond just driving safely with needing to stay within the regulations. Lieutenant Bill Berger with the Wisconsin State Patrol motor carrier investigative unit, is here to give some reminders and updates on th...

A busy season for farmers is just about here with harvest coming up in a few weeks. One of the big questions they may be asking is how much they will need to pay to keep their equipment running with diesel. Jason Schwantz, the Senior vice President of energy going to market for CHS, is here with the answers for what our producers can expect to spend on fuel this fall. He says to buy early and buy...

Recently U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin along Chuck Grassley, and Joni Ernst from Iowa introduced a bipartisan legislation to help lower the cost of fertilizer by allowing more transparency for the farmers on market factors causing rising costs. This bill is being endorsed by many groups, including the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association. To give more insight on the need for this bill is WCGA member Sh...

Husband and wife duo, Tom and Janice Schlough tell the story of Wegner Farms. This Century farm has quite the story featuring the importance of resilience and community in the face of hardships. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harvest season is under way, although with some recent rains farmers are slowed down. Dr. Brent Tharp is a Technical Product Manager for Wyffels Hybrids. He says right now farmers should get out and check the stalk integrity. Tharp says farmers should target the fields they put fungicide on first because they will have decreased stalk integrity. He says that in Wisconsin he is seeing greater numbe...

In 1937, three high school friends unknowingly began Wisconsin’s cranberry legacy, a tradition carried on today by grower Dave Zawistowski of Lake Nokomis Cranberries in Eagle River. Dave started working on the marsh as a child, managing operations by 19 and purchasing his own farm at 21. Now operating three cranberry farms with his family, he not only produces Wisconsin’s state fruit...

Wisconsin is very wet after large amounts of rain over the weekend, but this weekend could help dry it out. Ag meteorologist Stu Muck has the details. Harvest is underway for most, and this creates new dangers on the road. Lt. Bill Berger with the Wisconsin State Patrol motor carrier investigative unit, shares some tips for farmers when it comes to DOT standards and civilians for driving around th...

Nadine Westphal fiercely advocates for agriculture as she shares the story of Hetzel-Westphal Farm. Located in Sauk County, the former beef operation is now 217 acres. They hope the operation will continue for years to come. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

William G. Zander tells the story of William and Marilyn Zander Dairy. This 200 head dairy in Dane County has overcome struggles and obstacles in farm life. Kathleen Statz shares her memories as well. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RoseMary & Francis Ruplinger recall fond childhood memories as they tell the story of their 59 ½ acre farm. They recall an ice storm that provided particularly good sledding conditions. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lean in to hear the story of how this Trempealeau County Century Farm has stood the test of time. Ken Congdon tells us about Scotch Prairie Farm. The operation farms 750 acres, 550 of which are owned. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.