MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Wisconsin’s Secretary of Agriculture, Randy Romanski, joins Pam Jhanke to reflect on how this past year has gone for the ag industry and what’s ahead. The Steffes Group has 200 employees that are ready to help you with your auction needs. Ashley Huhn of the Steffes Group says while they may be closed for Christmas, you can still find the information on their website. There's also aucti...

Agricultural groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, have tagged labor as the number one issue facing farmers in the new year. As agriculture relies heavily on guest workers, how does the Trump administration’s plan for deportation going to play out for farmers? Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Director of National Affairs Tyler Wenzlaff explains that the U.S. can have the best o...

Hunting is a long-standing tradition in Wisconsin. Today we hear how farmers have an opportunity with their land and existing infrastructure to invite others to join in the hunt. Bill Hemling has transitioned his family’s six-generation farm in Dodge County to do just that. Bill raises gamebirds on his farm for hunt clubs and is starting his own hunt club on his property. His enthusiasm for...

Tracy Thompson is the owner and chocolatier of the Scandinavian themed chocolate house. She joins Ben Jarboe and explains why she started the business as well as the various treats they make, how they prepared for Christmas, and issues they are facing that are similar to farmers. Christmas puppies are something you only see in movies. People are actually looking for animals that are already traine...

If you've ever seen the fascination that kids have with tractors or farm equipment - how they pretend to farm while running their toys over carpet - then you might have a sense of what drives Tanner Johnson. 31 year old Tanner Johnson did not grow up on a farm, but he always knew he wanted to be a farmer.  Throughout his life, he was a shadow to local farmers doing whatever he could to be inv...

Wisconsin has recently confirmed a case of bird flu in poultry in Kenosha County, marking the first detection in the state in some time. Dr. Darlene Konkel, Wisconsin’s State Veterinarian, shared insights about the situation, emphasizing biosecurity measures for all livestock producers. The strain responsible, H5N1, has been circulating in North America for years. However, Dr. Konkel clarifi...

Wisconsin is celebrating a record-low unemployment rate, but more jobs need to be filled, including within the agriculture sector. Without more people, what solutions are out there? This is where artificial intelligence is coming in. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek joins us today with how many Wisconsin businesses and what kind of industries have been able to harness AI....

The Farmers Union has always focused on creating a revenue stream for the organization beyond member dues.  Bob Bosold talks to Dale Bednarek who runs Farmers Union Industries for 5 Midwest Farmers Unions--Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Wisconsin.  A snow storm is on the way for Wisconsin.  Stu Muck breaks it down. The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends and family,...

Desire for a real Christmas tree remains strong!  That's the word from Greg Hahn of Hahn's Christmas Trees in Oregon.  He's a member of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association and says the volume of trees available this year is great!  He details more about the trees, the markets and what consumers should know, with Ben Jarboe. Snow's on the way according to Stu Muck. 35...

Tractors on city streets, farmers camping out in their vehicles, and powerful demonstrations—Spanish farmers are making their voices heard in an extraordinary fight for their livelihoods. These protests go beyond agriculture, raising questions about food security, government policies, and the survival of rural communities. What’s driving this movement, and why does it matter to everyon...

With ongoing labor shortages and the continuous need to produce more with less, there are currently well over 50% of U.S. crop farmers using some type of autonomy and that number continues to rise every year. Brian Luck the state extension specialist in biological machinery systems at UW-Madison explains that all the technology needed for full autonomy is here and regulations are slowing the proce...

Heritage, innovation, and a passion for food production are just a few things pulling young farmers into agriculture today. For Anthony Panke, it’s all of the above—and more. As Vice President of Family Farm Defenders, he’s on a mission to keep small farms thriving while promoting food sovereignty. Though he teaches in San Francisco, Anthony’s roots run deep in his family&r...

U.S. agriculture, with enhanced implementation of conservation practices and emerging technologies, has an opportunity to more than offset its carbon footprint while increasing farmer profitability and farm resilience, according to a new report initiated by U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action (USFRA) and published today by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).   T...

The holidays are filled with joy, family-time, and sweets. Specialty chocolates are always a fan favorite when Christmas comes around with fun shapes and flavors. Tracy Thompson, with Sjölinds Choclate House out of Mt. Horeb, explains why she and her husband started the business as well as how they prepare for the Christmas time. Thompson also gives a look into the chocolate making process an...

Today, internships are almost a requirement for most students aiming for a job right out of college.  Dr. Tera Montgomery, director of the school of agriculture on the UW-Platteville campus, says that applying for internships is happening earlier and earlier in the school year.  She says there's also more opportunity with remote work internships that can actually trail into the school ye...

The tin can that acts as a vessel for vegetables may be the most expensive component of the whole process!  That's one of the insights Ben Jarboe found when speaking with Jason Culotta. He's the outgoing president of the midwest food products association. Dense fog will slow the commute this morning according to Stu Muck, ag meteorologist. It's tradition to give during the holiday season, but...

There are a lot of things that attract young farmers into the industry.  Heritage, new technology, philosophy on food and food production.  All those things have kept Anthony Panke engaged.  He's the vice president of Family Farm Defenders, an organization that focuses on food sovereignty and keeping small farms viable.  Panke grew up on a farm in Fond du Lac County, but today...

As you’re planning your budget for next year, here’s something to think about: a tool that could save time, cut down on waste, and help improve your crop yields. It’s a fresh approach to a challenge every farmer deals with, offering benefits for both your fields and your finances. Kurt Grimm, CEO of NutraDrip Irrigation Systems, is sharing how their system transforms manure into...

For many years the Midwest Food Products Association has been working hard to make sure consumers get the nutritious produce they need. But this has not come without challenges. Jason Culotta, the President of the Midwest Food Products Association speaks on some of the key problems they are facing, including high costs of cans, false information on "processing", decreased demand, and new regulatio...

The holiday season brings family, friends, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate—and what better way to add a little extra cheer than with cheese? Whether it’s the centerpiece of a festive spread or the perfect gift for loved ones, cheese has a way of making the holidays even more special. Angie Edge, Dairy Company Communications manager for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is joining us...

Chef Kyle Julius, owner of Chef at Large Catering, has always been passionate about the connection between nature and food. “I’ve always been an outdoorsman, foraging for mushrooms and wild onions,” he says. Growing up in a hunting family, he learned the value of respecting food and utilizing everything. This respect is reflected in his work, where seasonality plays a key role in...

Although the holiday season is normally seen as a joyful time to see family and friends, it leaves some feeling lonely, and grief ridden. Susan Springer, the founder of Suicide Prevention of Southwest Wisconsin, speaks to why people may feel lonely or have grief this time of year. She gives tips on how to help someone going through a difficult time as well as how to help yourself if you are feelin...

In Wisconsin, especially this time of year, just mention the weather—it’s sure to grab attention. With so many people watching the skies and relying on different weather services, it’s worth understanding who does what and how it all fits together. Assistant State Climatologist Bridgette Mason joins Pam Jahnke to talk about what agencies, associations and organizations work on Wi...

Preplanning for emergencies has the potential to save lives on the farm. Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor joins us with some important reminders for fire or other disaster safety, particularly when it comes to farm workers. He says it starts with partnerships between farms and firefighters to address some of the language and cultural barriers that exist with a migrant workforce. Historically,&nbs...

It’s the season of giving, and if you’re an animal lover, you’re probably inclined to donate to your local animal shelter. Today we’re visiting with Stephanie Kraemer, she’s a volunteer with the Sauk County Humane Society and she's the United States of America’s Mrs. Wisconsin! She’s pretty outspoken about the importance of local animal shelters, especiall...