MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Retirement is something that’s usually celebrated with parties and congratulations. But in farming, it doesn’t quite go like that. There are a few reasons for this, but a main one is a question around identity. If you’re not a farmer, then who are you? That question typically delays farm transitions and succession planning. Today we hear from University of Missouri Extension Farm...

Congratulations graduates! The Farm & Industry Short Course at UW-River Falls concluded this week, and the grads are ready to take what they’ve learned back into the agriculture industry. Today we’re catching up with two FISC students. Kevin Biese from Wrightstown comes from a family-owned dairy milking about 1,000 cows. He said the Farm and Industry Short Course just made sense fo...

Wisconsin's dairy industry is a key part of the state's economy, and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is working hard to support local farmers, promote the state's dairy products, and build trust with consumers. Sandy Madland, member of the DFW Board of Directors, is joining us for this month's check-in with Dairy Checkoff to share how they make sure Wisconsin’s dairy farmers have the tools they n...

As Midwest farmers gear up for spring fieldwork, Mother Nature might have other plans. While some are eager to plant early to stay ahead of potential crop stress, Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist for Conduit, says there’s still plenty of uncertainty in the forecast. With drought concerns still looming and global weather patterns shifting, Eric joins Pam Jahnke to break do...

Rachel Armstrong, attorney and founder of Farm Commons, is busy handling a lot of questions from farmers about federal funding freezes.  What can you do if you're holding a signed, binding, government contract that the government has decided not to honor?  Is there recourse?  Is there a penalty if I don't go forward with a project given the unknown circumstances?  Armstrong ans...

Six candidates are working to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. That also signals the final phase of service for Halei Heinzel, our current "Alice." She visits with Stephanie Hoff about the learning journey the six will experience leading up to the May finale in Crawford County. The top candidates are: Allison Foster, Waupun, Michelle Stangler, Watertown, Mikalya Flyte, Coloma, Natalie Roe,...

Ever wondered how your backyard rain gauge could help improve weather forecasts and even assist farmers? The National Weather Service is calling on Wisconsin residents to join the CoCoRaHS Network (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network) through their Rain Gauge Rally. This volunteer network of dedicated weather watchers records rainfall, snowfall, and drought conditions right from t...

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection awarded nine projects funding for the 2025 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. These grants aim to find and fine-tune methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to farm fields, protecting soil and water. Ted Hoffman, an independent crop consultant with InDepth Agronomy, received a second grant this year. Last year, he...

Farmers and organizations across the country are feeling uncertain about government contracts tied to USDA programs like EQIP, CSP, and REAP. With funding frozen and contract decisions unclear, producers are left wondering what to do next. "We've been getting a lot of questions from farmers who already started projects or hired contractors," said Rachel Armstrong, Executive Director and Attorney w...

Jon Goetz has been recognized as a 2025 GroundBreaker of the Year Honorable Mention by Compeer Financial. Each year, Compeer Financial celebrates young, beginning, and small farmers for their dedication to agriculture and their community. Goetz's farming journey started with his grandfather's land, which sparked his lifelong interest in agriculture. "My grandpa purchased the farm off his parents,"...

Hosting the Alice in Dairyland finals – it’s a big deal for a county. It brings statewide news coverage and drives local interest in the county’s agribusiness industry! Carol Roth is co-chairing the Crawford County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee, the host this year. Roth was most recently the executive director for Driftless Development Inc. She says she applied for Crawford...

The freeze on federal funding is hitting a group just as they enter their busiest season. FairShare CSA coalition recently was informed that their grant meant to promote and expand CSA programs—has been canceled. Tess Romanski, FairShare CSA Communications & Development Manager says With the funding loss and uncertainty around conservation programs, it’s a tough time for farmers. B...

It's been an interesting few months for the new president of the Midwest Food Products Association.  As side from trying to get to know his members, Nick Novak is now also trying to manage his way through serving members facing the impacts of tariffs.  Ben Jarboe visit with Novak about how prices and operations are changing while facing new steel and aluminum tariffs on the industry. A r...

April is going to bring some changes to the dairy cattle genetic arena. Katie Schmitt joins us from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, an organization responsible for genetic evaluations of dairy cattle and goats in the United States. Schmitt says the council is due for a genetic index adjustment and a genetic base change in April. She says dairy farmers are going to want to pay attention to th...

On Friday, six candidates were introduced as finalists to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. That also signals the final phase of service for Halei Heinzel, our current "Alice." She visits with Stephanie Hoff about the learning journey the six will experience leading up to the May finale in Crawford County.  Pictured left to right: Michelle Stangler, Natalie Roe, Olivia Lulich, Halei Heinzel...

The National Weather Service relies on volunteer weather observers to provide real-time weather data. Tim Halbach is the warning coordination meteorologist for NWS-Milwaukee. He says being a weather observer is easy and rewarding work! NWS and Mid-West Farm Report are encouraging you to sign up. Just visit CoCoRaHs.org or wisconsinweatherwatchers.org -- whatever is easiest to remember because they...

The Wisconsin State Climatology Office and the National Weather Service are calling on residents to become citizen scientists. Throughout March and beyond, Wisconsinites can help by becoming official rainfall reporters and weather observers. "This is a fun activity, especially if you are a weather enthusiast or even if you just want to learn more about the weather," says Sarah Marquardt the Senior...

The 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest has come to a close with Arethusa Europa from the Arethusa Farm Dairy in Bantam, Connecticut being victors. Wisconsin had a strong showing with 9 entries making the top 20 and Cello Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan by the Lake Country Dairy-Schuman Cheese in Turtle Lake earning the second runner-up honors. Mike Dudas and Aileen Kacvinsky with Schuma...

At McFarland High School, students are getting a hands-on education that goes far beyond the classroom—transforming local trees into high-quality lumber for their woodworking projects. Under the leadership of Steve Pennekamp, Technology and Engineering Teacher, the school’s unique milling program allows students to experience the full process from log to finished product, gaining valua...

Today we’re catching up with Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association Executive Director Sheila Everhart. She's working on quite a few exciting things this spring from networking events for farmers all the way to an awards banquet featuring some of the farmers we’ve talked to in this series. First, Sheila has an update on the specialty crop block grant that makes this podcast possibl...

Cattlemen are anxious in 2025 over available inventory, and now new tariffs targeting their markets.  Bob Bosold visits with NCBA President Buck Wehrbein.  Wehrbein was a guest at the WI Cattlemen's Winter Conference. It's a messy Wednesday around Wisconsin.  Some schools are closed because of snow, other areas of the state are getting measurable rain.  Stu Muck describes the s...

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is sounding the alarm. It sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking Secretary Brooke Rollins to immediately release funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The program froze, and the stoppage of nearly $29 million dollars stands to impact 420 dairy businesses nationwide. Hidden Springs Creamery in Westby is one of them. Stepha...

The Wisconsin State Climatology Office and the National Weather Service are calling on residents to become citizen scientists. Throughout March and beyond, Wisconsinites can help by becoming official rainfall reporters and weather observers. “We want everyone to take part in collecting weather data,” said Bridget Mason, Assistant State Climatologist. “Your observations help provi...

Gov. Tony Evers directed another $5 million in federal funds to support the expanded Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Program. Evers created an expanded Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Program in 2022, using federal funding to help support more private well owners and increase access to clean drinking water, including expanding eligibility to those facing PFAS contami...

Tariffs are in effect on Canadian energy of 10 percent. Petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy says the price hike may trickle down to the end-user in the weeks ahead. He notes that not all regions of the U.S. will feel the impact equally if at all, even though Canada is our largest supplier of crude. De Haan argues against the idea that the U.S. can support itself overnight with fuel due...