MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

What if dairy could help you keep a slim waistline? Karen Antunes is a PhD candidate in the nutritional science department at UW-Madison. She’s working with the UW Dairy Innovation Hub to figure out if colostrum -- the first form of milk produced by cows after calving -- can restore gut health after taking antibiotics to reduce obesity later in life. It worked in mice, but now more research...

We’re checking in on how the weather is treating wine grapes. David Korb is the owner, vintner and grape grower at Drumlin Ridge Winery in Waunakee, just North of Madison. Dave is hoping for dry weather these next few months to keep the wine grapes healthy. He's heard of a few issues statewide with winter kill and wind damage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soggy or dry? Breezy or muggy? We'll get it all this weekend, according to Stu Muck during the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years broadband projects have been spreading through rural areas in Wisconsin to make sure everyone is connected. And some of these benefits are not just personal. Dave Daniels a part owner of Mighty Grand Dairy LLC in Kenosha County, shares how the inclusion of broadband on their farm has made life easier and even allowed them to get more advanced equipment. He says that the use of the...

Dave Daniels, part-owner of Mighty Grand Dairy in Kenosha County, tells Ben Jarboe about how broadband infrastructure and high-speed internet have allowed him to further the operation with new technology. Soggy or dry? Breezy or muggy? We'll get it all this weekend, according to Stu Muck during the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Forecast. The latest Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Surv...

Assembly Ag Chair Travis Tranel visits with Mid-West Farm Report to outline state budget negotiations, recent wins from the committee, and what's on the to-do list for the rest of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cattlemen's annual summer tour is in Southeast Wisconsin this year. Tressa Lacy is the President of the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association. She shares how the Association keeps the tour fresh and engaging by choosing stops based on producer feedback. The event not only provides an opportunity to experience new operations, but also to network with other lifelong learners. See omnystudio.com/list...

Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck says that we can expect some heavy rains over the next week or so that may leave farmers worrying about their crops. Farm Director Pam Jahnke has a chat with Krysta Harden, the President and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council on how they are making sure Wisconsin dairy has a place all over the world. We are taking a look at Wisconsin’s flagship university when Steph...

It takes manpower to run Wisconsin Farm Technology Days – not just during the show itself, August 5-7, but also for set up and take down. You could play an important role in making it all happen. Sue Aschliman is recruiting volunteers for Wisconsin’s largest farm show this year at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek. She’s got a hefty sign-up list to fill -- 100 people per day! Reach out...

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau's market basket survey has come out showing that Wisconsinites may be spending a bit more this year for their 4th of July Barbecues. Ben Jarboe catches up with Cassie Sonnentag, the Senior Director of Public Relations with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, to share the details on why this holiday may be costing a bit more than in the past. She says that one of the biggest causes...

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is just around the corner. It’s at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek, August 5-7. There’s still time for you or your business to put your stamp on the largest farm show in Wisconsin. Ruth Trinrud is a dairy farmer near Waupaca. She’s heading up fundraising efforts for this year’s show – the dollars make Farm Tech Days possible. Ruth invites yo...

The UW-Madison Badger Pulling Team had an impressive performance at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Quarter-Scale Student Design Competition a few weeks ago. Stephanie Hoff, Ben Jarboe, and Kiley Allan went to see “Bossy” for themselves and took her for a spin! Team member Kaedyn Peterson-Rucker tells Stephanie about the design process and co...

From its very first breath, a dairy operator's goal is to make the most out of every lifecycle he manages.  The care doesn't stop after it's a calf, or after first lactation.  It's a commitment that continues until that animal leaves the operation.  In fact, the care that animals receive can be reflected in a herd generation after generation! Today, Dr. Tom Earleywine, director of n...

It's become a staple in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.  Kwik Trip.  This family owned and operated convenience story dynasty is catching attention not only in Wisconsin, but on the national scene!  Ben Jarboe finds out about the chemistry that makes it work with  Ben Leibl from Kwik Trip.  The chain has been named USA Today's top gas station brand and best food by a gas...

With all the debate around funding cuts, industry representatives are speaking up for dairy research. This morning we’re catching up with a dairy industry veteran who says university research, like what comes out of Wisconsin, has played a huge role throughout his four-decades long career. Mike Brown serves as the vice president for dairy market intelligence at T. C. Jacoby & Company and...

It’s almost that time of year when you can find fresh ears of Wisconsin sweet corn at farm stands, farmers markets, or right on the farm. Welcome back to the podcast series where we introduce you to specialty crops across the state and the growers who make it all happen! Today we’re heading to Monroe, where Brian and Heidi Kent run Heidi’s Happy Acres. Each is a fourth-generation...

At birth, a calf's rumen is underdeveloped or naive, and it relies on the abomasum for digestion. As the calf grows, the rumen develops, and its capacity increases. Making sure that rumen functions properly and provides that calf with correct immune functions is a major focus at Purina. Dr. Jill Soderstrom is the dairy young animal solutions specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition.   Her focus...

The UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Rural Scholars Program welcomed nearly 30 high schoolers from seven Wisconsin schools to get acquainted with the college and the campus over the last four days. Before the program, most of these students didn’t think a four-year university or UW-Madison was in the cards for them. The inaugural WiRS program showed students how CALS is...

In the fall, Kessa Fitzl of Loyal will start the seventh grade. By the time she gets there, she'll have crossed off a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity off of her bucket list. In July, Kessa’s family and her horse, Flirt, are heading to Perry, Georgia for the National Barrel Horse Association Youth & Teen World Championships. There are others representing Wisconsin, but Kessa and her mom Ka...

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Modernization Act is on the move again at the State Capitol.  Sen. Patrick Testin, Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Revenue Committee says this legislation could relax some of the human resource issues being faced in Wisconsin, especially rural communities. Under APRN, qualified registered nurses would be able to practice independently and without the...

David Laatsch collects FFA memorabilia. Each item has a story, and he is happy to tell others. He takes great pride in his collection and career as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "Every so often, as we go through life, take a look in that rearview mirror, and see where we've come from," says David.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The excitement of electing a new president is a time honored tradition like no other, and electing a new Wisconsin FFA state President is no exception especially when it has taken place for 96 years.  Aubrey Schlimgen introduces us to Amalia Draxler, who has been named the New Wisconsin State FFA President for the 2025-2026 year. Amalia expresses her commitment and love to the blue...

Now that lawns have come back to life and yard work is well underway, many homeowners are focused on keeping their grass looking its best. But before you get too deep into mowing and maintenance, it’s worth checking in with one of Wisconsin’s top turf experts. Doug Soldat, UW-Extension Turf Specialist, helps Charitee Seebecker with some timely tips to help your lawn stay healthy throug...

"Because of the different products that came through Horicon, Horicon is actually the father, if you will, of 3 other factories within Deere," says Steve Johnson. Johnson worked at the Horicon Works factory for 35 years, ending his tenure as the Factory Manager. He gives the history as to why John Deere chose the location in Wisconsin to expand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heidi Knuth was born into the hobby of collecting John Deere equipment. She is proud to be a woman in the hobby and takes pride in pursuing a passion her parents instilled in her. "There's not many women in this hobby, and I think it's just absolutely inspiring that I can be at least one of those," says Knuth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.