MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The death tax, otherwise known as the estate or gift tax, kicks in when assets pass on after death. It can have big implications for family farms or small businesses trying to stay afloat for the next generation. Extension Specialist Kelly Wilfert joins us to break down how the tax works and why agriculture groups have been championing the adjustment Congress made in the new federal budget. Before...

Brady Quam, vice president of the Lodi Agricultural Fair, has been involved with the fair since he was just a boy. He followed in his father's footsteps by being involved in the Fair Board. He says the fair is unique for a variety of reasons, mostly because it's free AND it's run entirely by volunteers. A trend he's witnessing is a drop in volunteers. This is challenging as the fair continues to g...

Lori Ripp has been the secretary of the Lodi Agricultural Fair since 2013. She highlights popular events this week in the grandstand: rodeo, tractor/truck pull, and demolition derby.  After the fairgrounds built new barns about 10 years ago, they have continued to see an increase in exhibitors and are using additional tents. New this year, they have a goat playground that was brought to life...

The heritage tractor display at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days offers a nostalgic journey through agricultural innovation. The show is Aug. 5-7 at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek. Committee members Gary and LuAnne Knuth tell Mid-West Farm Report that more than three dozen machines and implements will honor Wisconsin's farming heritage. Enthusiasts and newcomers alike can get up close to these vintage...

The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health has produced a statewide report revealing that fire departments across Wisconsin, especially in rural areas, are facing serious challenges that threaten their ability to respond to emergencies. The report is based on contributions from 418 Fire Chiefs representing 52% of departments statewide. It highlights a growing crisis in staffing, funding, and training th...

The Wisconsin cranberry crop is looking pretty good so far in 2025, but constant monitoring is necessary.  Kiley Allan visits with Wisconsin's cranberry extension specialist, Allison Jonjak, about what we don't know about cranberries. Rain starts sneaking into Wisconsin today.  Stu Muck explains the volumes we can expect and when. County fair season is in full swing with each offering it...

The budget is not perfect, but no budget ever is.  That simple statement sums up the bipartisan work that unfolded at the state capitol to craft Wisconsin's budget. Pam Jahnke talks with State Senator, Pat Testin , about why negotiations were different this time around, and what elements Wisconsin's rural and agricultural circles should be watching. Testin agrees that there's more work to be...

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is Aug. 5-7 at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek. Ruth Trinrud is a dairy farmer near Waupaca. She’s heading up fundraising efforts for this year’s show – the dollars make it possible. Ruth tells Stephanie Hoff that people or businesses are invited to donate money or in-kind equipment, time, and materials. It also takes manpower to run Wisconsin Farm Tech...

It’s National Ice Cream Month! You can make it your mission to try a new ice cream flavor thanks to the partnership between Wisconsin 4-H and Cedar Crest Ice Cream. The Cedar Crest Ice Cream Flavor Creation Contest encourages 4-H groups to work together to develop and name a flavor. You can find the winner at a parlor near you today. Shannon Simon is the marketing manager for Cedar Crest Ice...

In the latest episode of our specialty crop series with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, we visit Blue Ridge Growers in Troy, Wisconsin. Since u-pick blueberries opened July 4, people have been flocking to the farm to pick from over 800 bushes representing six unique varieties of berries. Jill Berke has been hosting people on the farm for decades. This year, she says the crop is com...

How do you convince a consumer to buy your product if they never come near it in the grocery store.  That was the dilemma facing Lonnie Holthaus of Milkhaus Dairy in Fennimore.  Through investigation inspired by his college son, they found out that their herd was producing A2 protein milk.  A2 protein milk is a product that lactose intolerant people can enjoy without side effec...

July is National Ice Cream Month , and while we enjoy those frosty treats, let's remember the hard working dairy farm families that help make it possible.  One of which is Kristen Metcalf, District 25 Director that sits on the board of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin .  She represents producers in Green, Rock and Walworth county and operates a dairy herself. Metcalf says that although Wiscons...

The transition is complete.  Wisconsin's new Alice in Dairyland is on the job with her first official day happening today.  Jill Welke finds out what hopes and aspirations Sarah Hagenow is holding for the position as the 78th Alice.  Sarah just graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in agricultural and food business management and a minor in international agri...

Chris showed at the fair himself many years ago and now helps at the fair volunteering and on the board. He notes that because they have a demand in exhibitors in livestock, they have to put up more tents which he also states is a good problem to have. The infrastructure includes new barns to accommodate those things. Chris also talks about the disconnect with the city board as well and how that h...

He says numbers are always pretty steady for the fair but noticed that the smaller projects are decreasing over the years. Which he hopes to help improve as times goes on as they have more improvements and expansions to the facilities. He is happy to give an update that the City has been working with Stoughton Fair very well compared to other years and wanting to do away with the fair. Now they ha...

"Naturally Wisconsin" is boosting the market for Wisconsin's organic products, explains Executive Director Jamie Valenti-Jordan. An 85-degree and sunny summer day could be used to describe the perfect day to go on the lake, or the ideal growing conditions for a cranberry plant. Cranberry Outreach Extension Specialist Allison Jonjak has an update. Gov. Tony Evers signed the state budget. Assembly A...

Regional Crops and Soils Educator Anastasia Kurth breaks down what our recent weather has meant to our crops. The corn and soybeans were both behind in growing degree days, and the heat helped to accelerate their growth. While the heat was helpful, the amount of moisture was problematic. A dry out will be important for disease prevention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

An 85 degree summer day with a sunny, cloudless sky could be used to describe the perfect day to go on the lake, or the ideal growing conditions for a cranberry plant. Cranberry Outreach Extension Specialist Allison Jonjak gave us a look at how the cranberry crop is shaping up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you routinely get a bellyache or worse after encountering dairy, then the dairy showcase is the last place you're visiting at the store.  That's a problem for Lonnie Holthaus, dairy farmer from Fennimore. Holthaus and his family own and operate Milkhaus Dairy .  They have genetically tested their herd of cows to focus on genetics that produce A2 protein milk .  That, by definitio...

Helen Osborn-Senatus is the director of operations at The River Food Pantry, which serves up to 4,000 people per week across Dane County. The demand is growing, and so the pantry is expanding. Down the block, The River Food Pantry is building a new warehouse and community center.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Becker doesn't come from an agriculture background but it doesn't mean he can't figure out how to help agriculture.  Becker owns and operates Penguin Drones , in McFarland.  He's using his computer science background to program this technology for precision and efficiency.  Becker says when large ground rigs are hampered by wet fields, he can come in and supply responsible weed...

Wrestling, rodeos, and animal shows, oh my! There’s no place like fair! That’s the theme of the 2025 Jefferson County Fair, July 9-13. This year, the entertainment focuses on families, exhibitors, and lifting the community. Program Manager Abby Schopen says attendance is projected to be higher even without a grandstand headliner with this new focus. Fairgoers can look forward to local...

Farmers are sharing their voice on state policy and the lack of a national farm bill.  Jill Welke visits with Brad Olson, president of the WI Farm Bureau Federation, about a group of young farmers that went to Washington, D.C. to make their points on policy. Another hot, sticky day on the way for Wisconsin.  Pam Jahnke gives a rundown on the forecast and also shares crop tips from Anasta...

It's been just over a month since a series of EF2 tornadoes raced across southeast Wisconsin.  While the storms may have passed, for the farms that were impacted the lingering damage has changed lives.  Pam Jahnke visits with Dr. Monty Belmar from Waupun Vet Services . Belmar was one of the veterinarians that responded to injured animals at a Juneau area dairy that was struck by a tornad...

Wisconsin played host to the summer conference for the National Farmers Union.  Held a their new state headquarters in Chippewa Falls, Bob Bosold got a chance to visit with NFU President, Rod Larew, as well as WFU President, Darren VonRuden.  There's still a lot of anxiety about getting a Farm Bill completed in Washington, D.C. and questions surrounding the "Big Beautiful Bill" and what...