MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Wisconsin is moving toward renewable energy such as wind and solar. This means there are more opportunities for farmers to add value to their business with solar arrays. But you’re going to want to proceed with caution. Kelly Wilfert is a farm law outreach specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Kelly is still engaged in her family’s cash grain and processing vegetable fa...

Tonight, the Wisconsin Association of Fairs will crown the 59th Fairest of the Fairs. Roughly three dozen young women are in the running for the position. At the WAF annual convention in the Wisconsin Dells, we caught up with outgoing Fairest Kelsey Henderson of Racine County before she passes on the crown. She reflects on her year as Wisconsin's fair ambassador. You wouldn't believe how busy she...

The northern side of the state could see some flurries in the next couple of days and Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck gives the details on this lake effect snow. Autonomy is shaping the future of agriculture and full autonomy may be here sooner than we think. Ben Jarboe is joined by Brian Luck, a state extension specialist in biological machinery systems, to clue everyone in on how autonomy will help th...

Dairy farms have long relied on sand bedding for their cows, and for good reason. Sand bedding provides crucial comfort and traction for dairy cows, especially as they move in and out of stalls. According to Renee Schrift, Global Director of Sales for Agricultural Systems at McLanahan Corporation, "Sand allows the cows to get in and out of the stall and gives them traction and cushion." The right...

The cold weather is here to stay, and eastern Wisconsin could see a bit of snow. Ag meteorologist Stu Muck has the details. Wisconsin is home to a healthy forest products industry and Stephanie Hoff talks with Scott Lyon, the DNR forest products team leader, on what the year has looked like and what can be expected in the future. The dairy industry is always trying to find ways to be more producti...

Dairy farmers now have a powerful new way to enhance their genetic programs with an innovative embryo tracking system. This technology simplifies managing embryo inventory and tracking genetic data, enabling farmers to improve herd performance efficiently. It's called the embryo inventory module. Melissa Freitas, West & Northeast FPC Team Leader for  VAS, emphasizes how this tool fills a...

We’re seeing a cold front in Wisconsin, but there’s no snow cover to protect the forage crops, such as alfalfa. Division of Extension Crops and Soils Specialist Becky Brathal says there are some implications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just like the weather this year, alfalfa production varied around Wisconsin. And we're at the time of year now where if you didn't have enough hay for the winter, you're looking to find some. Becky Brathal is a regional crops and soils educator for Pierce, St. Croix, and Barron counties. She also authors the Division of Extension Hay Report every few weeks compiling information from hay actions ac...

It is still cold, but it looks like it will be slightly warmer than what we have been seeing with highs topping out in the mid 20s, Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck has the details.  Dr. Laura Hernandez with the dairy innovation hub speaks on her research looking at cow/calf pairs and how leaving the calves with the momma cows for just a little longer may have a great impact on productivity.  T...

McFinn Technologies, founded by John McGinn and Leroy Finnegan, has introduced a groundbreaking solution to the dairy industry. The duo recognized a significant gap in the market for an improved milk pump that wouldn't damage the milk fat. This innovation marks a crucial shift in pump technology, benefiting both dairy farmers and processors. "Our pump design has completely changed the game," said...

Most Americans agree that the U.S. should prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels. A recent Pew Research Center study puts that number at nearly 70 percent. Where the conversation gets divided is deciding where these renewable energy projects should go.  Pete Moris, a Grant County resident, volunteers with a group hosting informational sessions in Southwest Wisconsin about wind energy p...

On Jan. 13-14 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in the Wisconsin Dells, the Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic will welcome all confluences of the industry from throughout the Midwestern states. Wisconsin's premier agribusiness industry event boasts an attendance of nearly 1,000, says WABA Executive Director Grace Howe. The conference and tradeshow is a collaborative effort between the Wi...

The Wisconsin Agri-Business Association has welcomed a new executive director, Grace Howe. She’s been with the association for a year and a half but started the leadership position this past November. Her predecessor Tom Bressner will stay on in an advisory role until he retires in July. Grace introduces herself and how her agricultural background brought her to the Wisconsin Agri-Business A...

Dr. Lawernce Williams, Dairy Beef Cross Specialist from Purina about how these animals are grading out thanks to advancement in genetics and more important proper nutrition. These cross animals are here to stay as they provide additional income for dairy farmers and consumers love them as prime and choice cuts of beef. It also makes a great story as a sustainable and reliable source of food. ...

Pam Jahnke chats with Olivia Gunther Schroeder from Purina about best practices for raising calves. Calves are valuable, so ensuring they have a strong start is key. She emphasizes the need for high quality colostrum to ensure a strong start and to keep them going strong with proper nutrition and sanitation practices.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On National Cream Puff Day, we bring back an interview with Kristin Chuckel of the Wisconsin State Fair about the heritage of this popular dessert and why it's an icon for Wisconsin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glynn Tonsor, of Kansas State University joins Jill Wielke to talk about the Meat Demand Monitor project, funded in part by the Beef Checkoff and Pork Checkoff. This initiative is helping the industry better understand consumer preferences and trends when it comes to meat purchases. What do a high-performance car and a dairy cow have in common? It’s all about the details. Clem Nash, Technica...

Cheese curds have long been a favorite snack of Wisconsinites, but not everyone in the world gets the same experience. By the time people out of state get the tasty treat the curd has already lost its squeak and freshness. Dr. Rani Govindasamy Lucey with the Center For Dairy Research is working to solve that issue. She explains how they teamed up with the audiology department to be able to find a...

Pam Jahnke reflects on the past four years with Wisconsin's Farm Service Agency Director Gene Schreifer. COVID forced USDA agencies to adapt quickly to meet the needs of farmers. Snow is falling in southern Wisconsin, but it won't stick around, says ag meteorologist Stu Muck. There won't be snow cover for fields when the colder-than-average temperatures come this week. Watching the ball drop at Ne...

Wisconsin’s show pig industry continues to grow, drawing families from farms, hobby farms, and even urban areas. Jeff Morris, UW-Swine Outreach Specialist, attributes this growth to the valuable skills youth gain from raising and showing livestock. “Families see the leadership skills and work ethic these projects instill in young people,” Morris explained. “It’s an ex...

Susan Springer of Suicide Prevention of Southwest Wisconsin discusses how to deal with loneliness and grief during the holidays. The Pacific Northwest is seeing its lowest pear production in 40 years. The Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update calls for more dense fog advisories during your morning commute. This month alone, Wisconsin has had three poultry cases of H5N1 and one human case. The state...

For over four decades, Randy Cutler of Cutler Fencing has been building fences across Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Minnesota. What began as a passion for farming in the 1970s evolved into a lifetime dedicated to creating reliable, efficient fencing systems. “I started out raising sheep and learning about rotational grazing and electric fencing at the Spooner Research Station,” sai...

Stray voltage on the farm could be disrupting your animals’ routine and your bottom line through no fault of your own. Bryanna Handel has first-hand experience at her farm B. Kurt Dairy in Barneveld. She realized there was a problem as soon as her cows started acting out of the ordinary this time last year. Flip on your fog lights! In addition to drizzle, some counties are in a dense fog adv...

Groundbreaking research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is transforming the diagnosis and prevention of equine injuries. A UW-Madison-developed standing CT scanner, commercially available since 2019, is enabling safer and more precise imaging for horses, reducing risks associated with traditional methods. "Standing CT scanning allows us to identify injuries in horses early, often before sym...

The Wisconsin bison industry is on the rise. According to the Census of Agriculture, Wisconsin is home to 6,754 bison across 83 farms. Patrick Ries, owner of Bluestem Bison and a member of the Wisconsin Bison Producers Association Board, tells the bison story from his farm's lens. Wisconsin is in a fog advisory this morning. That fog will turn to ice for your commute to work or travels home from h...