MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck joins the show to give us a look at if we can expect rain in this critical growing period.  David Giehtbrock, a Fish Culture Section Leader with the DNR, gives us a more detailed look into how the state works to stock fish in our lakes. He says this year they stocked over 1 Million Chinook Salmon into Lake Michigan.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Kelly Wilfert, the...

Megan Salentine's schedule has been nothing short of exciting after being crowned Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. Living out of a suitcase has brought her incredible opportunities and memories! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck gives a detailed forecast for the state as the State Fair and Wisconsin Farm Technology Days get underway.  Stephanie Hoff has a chat with EMS Outreach Program Manager James Small with the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health about how they are at risk of not being able to respond to emergencies in a timely manner due to decreases in staffing, funding, and training. It i...

Janet Keller is serving as the new General Manager starting this year for the Farm technology days. Keller is no stranger to Farm technology days. She used to be an exhibitor every day with a genetics company and was on the board of directors as well.  There are many exciting things in store besides the progressive scale of Clinton Farms. Tent city and filed demonstrations are back and unique...

Farm Technology days is back this year hosted by Clinton Farms. It will be taking place August 5-7th in Bear Creek WI.  Pam Jhanke chats with one of the host family members Jim Clinton. They say its family tradition as they will now be hosting the event 3 times. They hosted the 25th anniversary Farm technology days and Jim was only 22 years old when his parents hosted. Attendance was 120,000...

Alfalfa is a known crop that is grown all over Wisconsin for livestock consumption. But it is also a productive cover crop and has many sustainability aspects when its used as a cover crop.  Dr. Emily Meccage is the Senior Manger of Research and development for Forage Genetics International. She says farmers look to be more sustainable while also looking towards profit. Alfalfa answers a lot...

Bob Bosold and Wisconsin Farmers Union's Layne Cozzolino discuss feeding program woes and resilience following federal funding changes. Cozzolino is the director of special projects with WFU. Canadian wildfire smoke continues to be the culprit for poor air quality. Sticky weather is expected later this week. There’s plenty of county fair fun to be had this summer and into September. Oftentim...

Taking out loans is many times a necessity for farmers whether it be for equipment, buildings, or other inputs, and Wisconsin is no different. Darla Sikora the Director of Agricultural Loans with Citizens State Bank of Loyal is here to give insight into what Wisconsin Farms are most commonly taking the loans out for right now. She says that currently they are seeing a surprising amount of loans fo...

Flavor is on the menu at Wisconsin Pork Association's Pork Shoppe. Morgan Worek is the Program and Marketing Director at the Wisconsin Pork Association. Located across from the Colosseum and the Wisconsin Products Pavilion, the food stand is serving up Butterfly Pork Chop sandwiches, Pork Burgers and Pork Chop On A sticks. The pork is raised local to the Midwest, much of it coming from Wisconsin....

Charlie's Pizza can boast a third place finish in the Sporkies contest at the state fair. Their winning dish is Mexican Street Corn Pizza. It was inspired by their staff that has a strong Hispanic culture. It was a team effort in perfecting the dish. Charlie's granddaughter gave us a peak behind the curtain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marion grew up on her families farm and was farming since the young age of 3 helping with little tasks. Her sister had acquired her families farm shortly their father passed away. He was in the process of turning it over into her sisters possession in 1986 when he passed. Luckily that transition was easier as Marion and her sister were already working partners for the farm. Marion went to schoolin...

Tom and Elizabeth Pryce settled in the U.S. in 1846 with their children. Their eldest son, Edward, was naturalized that same year and moved to Albany Township, where he and his wife built a log cabin, later replaced by a stone house. They had 16 children before his wife passed at age 56, the same year Edward lost several of their children. Edward’s son, William, was born on the farm and spen...

Stephanie Hoff visits with Dawn Roth of Roth's Sugarbush in Cadott while at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis. Dawn chairs the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Association's booth in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion. She tells us about the tasty treats they have in store for fairgoers as they taste their way through Wisconsin agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ag meteorologist Stu Muck says we are looking at some very comfortable weather, but also a lot of smoke for the weekend. The past couple days if you stepped outside and noticed a smog covering the sky. This is once again the Canadian wildfires making an appearance. Although these fires are not in Wisconsin, the state is still helping fight them. Stephanie Hoff learns more about how Wisconsin share...

The Olson Family Farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 1985 after 110 years of continuous family ownership.  Ole Herdal Olson (born October 1807) and Dorthea Jensdatter Stennan Riise (born October 1809) were united in marriage in May 1838 in Tolga, Hedemark, Norway.  To this union there were six children: Ole Iver born in 1838; Marit born in 1841; Carrie born in 1843; Johanne born in...

It’s been a big year for this Centennial Farm in Eau Claire County – between a dairy breakfast and a state award, 2025 is one for the books. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms and homesteads that have belonged to the same family for more than 100 years. These farms have also been awarded by the state of Wisconsin. Felicia Erickson and Dave...

Chairman John Yingling of the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board of Directors tells us about new improvements to State Fair Park to make these historical grounds more accessible and fair-goer-friendly. He says dollars were passed in the recent state budget to make more improvements before the State Fair's 175th celebration in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now, there are about 70 active wildfires burning over a million acres in the U.S. Almost all of it is out West -- but we're seeing the effects here at home with air quality advisories. The Wisconsin DNR has mobilized its own wildfire fighters to help combat these flames out West and in Canada. Marc Sass is a forest ranger covering the southeast part of Wisconsin across 10 counties. He also t...

Stephanie Hoff catches up with the 78th Alice in Dairyland Sarah Hagenow during the Wisconsin State Fair. Sarah is almost a month into her role as the state's agricultural ambassador. She tells us where you can find Alice during the "best 11 days of summer." Sarah is most looking forward to sharing fair memories with fairgoers, including her own eight years of showing dairy in West Allis. See omny...

Patrick Brodhagen shares the details with Ben Jarboe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck gives an update on some rain amounts where in certain areas accumulated over an inch and says we are looking at clear skies for the State Fair.  Even though she’s gone this week the Fabulous Farm Babe didn’t forget about us, Pam Jahnke talks with DATCP secretary Randy Romanski on the recently announced Governors budget from the agency’s perspective....

The roots of our farm (today called Pine Hill Farm) run deep, tracing back to 1846 when our forefather, Christian Neitzel, homesteaded this very land, including its fertile marsh. With his wife Sophia and three sons, he journeyed here with fellow Pomeranians, driven from Trechel, Germany, by secular rule and religious persecution, seeking a new beginning in Lebanon, Wisconsin. Upon arrival, these...

Keeping the family's Centennial Farm in agricultural production is a must for Altine Graper Hesebeck, the third generation on the Graper Farm, which originated with her husband's grandfather. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms and homesteads that have belonged to the same family for more than 100 years. These farms have also been awarded by the state...

Summers Christmas tree farm is operated by Bill and Judy Summers. During the summer months, ideal weather is crucial for Christmas tree development. Bill tells Kiley Allan about the summer care of trees, the effects of weather, and the evolution of consumer tree demand. Today's Compeer Financial ag weather update calls for a cool front bringing rain and a Canadian wildfire smoke advisory. Pam Jahn...

The Wisconsin State Fair is a time to experience everything that makes the state great whether it be the people, the animals, or the food. Now one staple of this fair has gotten a facelift. The building that serves up the infamous creme puffs may look a bit different when you enter this year. Tess Kerksen the Director of Marketing and Communications with the Wisconsin State Fair says that the newl...