MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

For row crop farmers nitrogen can be the most expensive part of the operation every year. New technology has come out to change that, by giving producers an opportunity to turn air into nitrogen. Jay Witt a dealer with Green Lightning explains how their machine can decrease costs and increase yields. The goal of this new technology is to feed the world in a more efficient and cost-effective manner...

The dairy industry is filled with exciting career opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and hands-on learning experiences. And To inspire the next generation, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is bringing interactive educational programs into classrooms, helping students discover the many roles that keep dairy farms thriving. Virgil Haag, member of the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors, is...

When you open a bag of potato chips, you’d be amazed at the years of research behind the scenes that ensures you have a safe, high-quality, and enjoyable snacking experience. Antigo, Wisconsin is the seed capital for our potato farmers and researchers looking for the perfect traits for all the different potato foods we enjoy. Kevin Gallenberg is the farm manager at the Langlade Research Stat...

Dairy farmers face constant challenges—from maintaining healthy soil to managing water quality and reducing their environmental impact. What if innovative solutions could make their work easier while also benefiting the planet? Dr. Mara Cloutier, Research soil scientist and project manager at the soil health institute shares how the Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration Project is tackling these...

We may not see a Farm Bill moving yet - but in the state of Wisconsin, there's policy decisions coming together quickly.  Bob Bosold catches up with Jordan Lamb, legal advisor to many agriculture organizations in Wisconsin.  The conversation covers everything from the governor's upcoming proposed budget to existing programs continued performance. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect fo...

After a successful spring e-commerce campaign in 2024, the Wisconsin Beef Council invested in a fall tailgating e-commerce effort and recently received the results of that strategy. Ads ran on retailer online stores and popular consumer platforms, including influencer, cooking, and lifestyle sites.  Angie Horkan, Director of Marketing for the Wisconsin Beef Council , tells Pam Jahnke about so...

April 15th is this year’s deadline for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. How do you know which one is best for your farm? Paul Mitchell with the Renk Agribusiness Institute at UW-Madison says it wasn’t much of a question this year of which direction to go, especially with the volatile environment agriculture is in right now. See omnystudio.com/list...

So while nothing is green outside yet, it doesn’t mean that growers are not thinking about planting season. Tamas Houlihan joins us, he’s the executive director of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into a successful growing season, even from an association standpoint, not just on the farm. As Tamas meets with his grower...

With a major winter storm approaching the state, it's important to know why those systems now play a role in spring weather later.  Pam Jahnke talks with Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Conduit.  Snodgrass admits he's a "nerd" for weather, and has been his whole life.  He explains to Jahnke why the fires in California and the snow in Florida signal a need to push...

The Wisconsin Association of Fairs (WAF) is undergoing a major revamp to ensure the long-term success of the fair industry. Executive Director Jayme Buttke shared that this transformation is a result of careful strategic planning. "Two years ago, our board sat down and asked, 'Where do we want the next level of the fair industry to be?'" Buttke said. "We needed to take a hard look at what WAF prov...

David Lee Schneider has a small diversified farm just north of Green Bay. He also has an appointment with the state Department of Public Instruction. He works with the school nutrition and farm-to-school teams. He’s spent the last few years on a mission to grow a database of farms and schools in need of local food. David says it’s a tool ready for farmers to use: https://sites.google.c...

There's a new poultry guideline that's got producers and regulators talking.  Ben Jarboe talks with Ron Kean(cane) the poultry specialist with extension.  Kean gives insight to the new rule in poultry that looks to provide transparency in the industry. Cold weather continues in Wisconsin with snow around mid-week according to Stu Muck. It's been almost a year since Wisconsin passed...

As the leading financial services provider for agriculture and rural communities in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Compeer's financial advisors understand agriculture, the challenges and the opportunities, and work with our clients to ensure their operation is financially viable for years to come.  Ben Duncanson is the Senior Legislative Affairs Consultant at Compeer.  He's focused o...

Brian Lee joins us from Okray Family Farms in Plover. While potato harvest wrapped up in the fall, spuds are stored until the following year. Brian's job is to make sure the stored potatoes are getting out to customers. He says this year, the yield was down compared to 2023, so supply is tighter. The quality of the potatoes in storage is favorable.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Dairy farmers work hard every day to produce the milk and dairy products we all enjoy, but behind the scenes, there are big challenges shaping their future. From labor shortages to trade policies, environmental regulations to farm support programs, decisions made in Washington, D.C. impact farms of all sizes. As we move into 2025, key policy changes could bring both opportunities and obstacles for...

As 2025 begins, key policy issues remain unresolved in Washington, D.C. These decisions will impact dairy farmers nationwide. Cassandra Kuball, Vice President of Torrey Advisory Group, which advocates for Edge Dairy Cooperative, shared insights on these pressing matters. “The first major issue is the fiscal cliff,” Kuball said. “Congress must address government funding and the de...

Ellen Schutt serves as the interim executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. Right now, the foundation is preparing for a new fundraising opportunity during FFA Week -- Feb. 15-22. The hiring process for an executive director position is also going on now. Ellen says they should have a name in the next two weeks. This person will be responsible for making sure all the funds raised for FF...

It was a busy week in the state Capitol with announcements regarding agricultural policy proposals and funding. Jordan Lamb is an attorney and lobbyist with The Welch Group Public Affairs in Madison, representing about eight agricultural groups. We start with the governor’s latest announcement. Gov. Tony Evers released his agricultural budget priorities for the biennium totaling about $80 mi...

Blair Richardson is the president and CEO of Potatoes USA. They’re the group in charge of growing demand for homegrown potatoes both here domestically and overseas. Blair says the demand story for potatoes has been excellent. He says there are potential headwinds if tariffs put a higher price tag on some of the frozen foods we enjoy, such as french fries. First, he reminds us where the U.S....

Freezing rain has made it a slippery morning so people are advised to use caution. Ag meteorologist Stu Muck gives details on what can be expected the rest of the week, which includes strong winds and snow. Charitee Seebecker has a conversation with Charles Narveson, the Green County Highway Commissioner on how they use an unexpected product to keep their roads safe during the wintertime. This bei...

The Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative report highlights five key areas where U.S. agriculture could become greenhouse gas negative. Dr. Chuck Rice, University Distinguished Professor in Agronomy at Kansas State University, discussed the findings. “This report focuses on practices ready for implementation,” Rice said. “We’re not talking about waiti...

Recent consumer trends show the demand for more plant-based products to hit the shelves. This has led to Organic Valley to introduce their first oat-based creamers. Dawn Burns the Organic Valley innovation manager gives details on what has led them to this new product that uses Midwest sourced oats. She explains that consumers are looking closer at what they are putting into their bodies which lea...

With a continuous need to produce more with less in the grain industry, one company has shifted focus to specific areas when developing corn seed. Rex Gray, the Golden Harvest, GHX, corn products manager gives a look at the new seed they have developed that is meant for northern states. Gray explains that with shorter growing seasons and colder weather that they wanted to make sure producers in th...

No one wants to open their mailbox and find a swarm of bees, but for those passionate about beekeeping, that’s exactly what they’ll be hoping for soon. With the new year underway, Blain’s Farm & Fleet is helping beekeepers prepare for spring with their live honeybee orders for the 2025 season. Ordering early ensures bees will be ready to pollinate gardens, support crops, prod...

It's been almost a year since Wisconsin passed legislation to allow heavier weights of liquid dairy products on state roads. SB 431, passed in March 2024, extends the state’s current allowance for milk hauling of 98,000 pounds over six axles to include all liquid dairy products, such as liquid whey. Whey is a value-added ingredient in a wide range of food products. It comprises 31 percent of...