MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The Holiday season is upon us and a staple for this time of year is the Christmas tree. From the experience of cutting down your own tree to the intoxicating smell in your home, live Christmas trees are unlike any other. Greg Hann with the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association speaks to the great supply the industry has this year due to timely rain. He also gives tips on what to look for...

It's been less than a year that farmers have been under a new regulation for their herbicides. The EPA’s Herbicide Strategy dictates if, how, and when a farmer can use an herbicide on their farm. Any time that a crop protection product gets reviewed or renewed, the EPA can determine if "mitigation measures" (conservation practices, etc.) need to happen on the farm in order for the grower to use it...

A recent survey released by two UW-Madison Ag Economists solidified how important all of Wisconsin agriculture is to the state's bottom line.  Dairy, as you'd expect, was leading the way. Ben Miller, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin , visits with Pam Jahnke to recap some of the key take-aways from the report focused on dairy. Miller notes that the strength...

Animal rights groups are gaining momentum behind the scenes as the Farm Bill's compiled, and as more ballot initiatives show up in states.  Ben Jarboe gets an update from Emily Ellis- communications manager for the animal agriculture alliance. Wind chills are taking Wisconsinites into subzero territory today.  Stu Muck, ag meteorologist, explains the improvements on the way. The price of steel is...

Holiday's can be a wonderful time!  Families coming together.  Friends reconnecting.  New experiences.  It can also be an awful time for people that are isolated and alone. AARP of Wisconsin is continuing to deploy resources to have help individuals and their families manage through.  Amber Miller, Senior Associate State Director of Outreach with AARP of Wisconsin , visits with Pam Jahnke about th...

Here at the Mid-West Farm Report we like to honor and share the stories of farms that have been in Wisconsin for over 100 years. Leroy Mielke shares the story of the 117-year history of his farm in Shawano County, as well as some memories from his 70 years of living there going from dairy cows to peonies. This story is brought to you by Compeer Financial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Here at the Mid-West Farm Report, we like to share the stories of farms that have been around for over 100 years. Nicholas Stanek with Blue River Mill Farm, out of Grant County, shares the story of his farm that started with his grandparents in 1923 after coming to Wisconsin from the Czech Republic. This story is brought to you by Compeer Financial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Gut health has been a part of the dairy tradition for more than a century in both people and the animals in their care. Steve Lerner is the senior scientific and business advisor at Novonesis, formerly known as Chr. Hanson. Lerner tells Mid-West Farm report about how their probiotics and gut health solutions are making a difference across the supply chain, from cows in the pasture to cheese on you...

After some backyard hogs in Oregon State contracted the bird flu, the Swine Health Information Center has its guard up. The highly pathogenic avian influenza is not the only animal disease that the center is watching, but it's new on the list since it was found in a few pigs in October. Associate Director Lisa Becton says SHIC has a new H5N1 Research Program and is seeking proposals.  Becton also...

Bison ranching has a rich history in Wisconsin, and farms like Bluestem Bison, LLC exemplify the industry's success. Located in Fond du Lac County, Bluestem Bison raises bison and operates a thriving meat business. The farm processes about 12 animals annually, ensuring a steady supply of premium bison meat. With approximately 38 bison currently roaming their 100-acre pasture, the operation is a te...

Steve Bailie, Branch Manager for Helena Agri in Monroe, has been busy with his staff combing through combine harvest records for the past few weeks.  He says some farms have been surprised by the end result of what had been a challenging growing season.  With those surprises, though, comes questions about what nutrients were pulled from those fields and need to be replaced in 2025. Bailie is like...

Preliminary figures show hunters registered 189,622 deer during the 2024 gun deer season, including 89,787 antlered and 99,835 antlerless deer. Compared to 2023, the gun season harvest total is up 5.2% statewide, with the antlered harvest up 3.6% and the antlerless harvest up 6.6%. Deer Program Specialist Jeff Pritzl has the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s work to do in 2025 to ensure that ethanol, a renewable fuel made from corn, continues to see market growth for the next four years. Ron Lamberty is Chief Marketing Officer of the American Coalition for Ethanol, working with oil companies and convenience store chains to sell higher blends of ethanol in gasoline ranging from E15 to E85. Lamberty tells the Mid-West Farm Report he wants to see...

Cover crops have found favor with a lot of acres in Wisconsin.  Now grazing those cover crop acres for livestock is catching on.  Charitee Seebecker finds out how the momentum's changing. Ron Schoepp Shoepp Farms in Lodi, has been a leader in sustainable farming practices for decades. With a focus on rotational grazing, no-till farming, and conservation efforts, the farm has worked tirelessly to p...

Rural Mutual Insurance has created an affiliation with another in-state insurance provider.  Dan Merck, Executive Vice President and CEO of Rural Mutual visits with Pam Jahnke about how the transaction came together.  Merck says they've been in conversations with Badger Mutual Insurance since 2023 crafting the arrangement that allows both to operate independently, with financial security. Snow cou...

As farmers prepare for the 2025 growing season, they’re facing more challenges than ever before—from unpredictable weather to rising input costs. But with the right strategies and innovative tools, they can tackle these obstacles and set themselves up for success. Rob Cosser from Croplan joins Pam Jahnke to share valuable insights on how growers can navigate the current landscape and make the most...

Pork producers are celebrating some wins for animal agriculture after the election, and hoping for one more big one before the end of the year -- the Farm Bill. Brian Humphreys is the CEO of the National Pork Producers Council. Brian tells us how a new administration is shaping up for agriculture in 2025, beginning with a few November ballot wins for livestock farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener...

The biologics market is crowded, and it can be difficult for growers to even know where to begin when it comes to selecting products that fit their farms. Steve Sopher, UPL technical services manager, says UPL is researching and developing new biological solutions that better help growers reach their production goals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New year, new marketing plan. The National Pork Board is changing up its marketing, and shifting its messaging to focus on younger consumers, explains Nebraska farmer and board member Bill Luckey. He says pork is well-positioned to fit the needs of Millennials and Gen-Zers. He reminds farmers that they may not see the advertisements or other marketing investments is because the checkoff doesn't wa...

The Zimdars family farm near Ripon, Wisconsin, has been passed down through generations for over 150 years. It began with 80 acres and grew to 500, starting as a small dairy with various animals. Today, it’s a larger dairy operation with 250 cows. David Zimdars and his family  value the farm’s history, their time spent working together, and the memories they’ve created, hoping to keep the legacy a...

Andrick Payen is the grains and oilseed analyst with Rabo Agrifinance -- RaboResearch and RaboBank. He says January will bring a few market movers, including a report on South America's crop progress and the inauguration. Payen says U.S. commodity markets have digested a lot of bearish news, but there is some bullish news out there for 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your plan ready for the 2025 growing season? Craig Davidson, product manager at Helena Agri-Enterprises gives us a look forward at the important weed control issues for growers in 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, turkey might steal the spotlight, but it’s not the only star of the table. There’s another ingredient that brings families together, fuels traditions, and offers endless possibilities for your holiday feast.  We're talking about potatoes. From creamy mashed potatoes to crispy roasted ones, piled with gravy or baked into cheesy casseroles, they’ve earned their spot as...

Tis the season! In the weeks before Christmas, typically starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, families will carry on a longstanding tradition of picking out a real Wisconsin evergreen. We visit with Jacob Eugster of Eugster's Farm Market in Stoughton who says this year's tree crop looks excellent. Most of his 3,000 trees are ready to be harvested standing up to 10-feet tall. Jacob clues us in...

Molly Van Lieu, vice president of the International Fresh Produce Association. She's working with policymakers and insurance agency leaders on prescription food -- getting a prescription for food to buy or to be given to improve your diet. The concept is: food as medicine. Out of refrigerator space already? The temperatures for Thanksgiving will be ideal for storing leftovers on the porch! Stu Muc...