MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Stephanie Hoff meets the new president of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors, Tim Brueggen. He owns and operates Falls Meat Service with his family in Pigeon Falls. Tim tells us how this tight-knit processing community is evolving, and why advocacy and government affairs are becoming central to their mission. He also talks about how local processors are adapting to shifting consumer tren...

In this week's episode host Ben Jarboe talks with Noah Hemper the owner of Madison Angling Guide Service to get an update on what's been hot on the Madison chain and a look into some unique fishing. Tom Zidek also joins the show to give a look into how he started his business Hooked & Tagged out of his college dorm room and grew it into a national company based out of the Northwoods. This epis...

NASA has been in the news quite a bit recently with their Artemis II mission circling the moon, but they also have a lot of work being done for agriculture. Mike Humber, the NASA Harvest Data Lead and NASA Acres Deputy Director, gives a look into their programs and shares what they look for during and after times of war for the betterment of agriculture world wide. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

On Saturday, August 8, the Madison Mallards will become the Right Bowers and will attempt to break the record for the World’s Largest Game of Euchre. General Manager Sam Rubin tells Stephanie Hoff to get your ticket now, plus a Right Bowers Jersey, a pack of custom Bicycle Cards, and entry into the Tournament with a cash grand prize. Don’t go alone! Send this to your Euchre partner! Le...

Signs of spring are popping up across Wisconsin, from farm babies and uncertain weather to greenhouses full of early spring plants. Scott Trudell joins me. He works with the plant desk at the Bruce Company. Well-known for their award winning landscape services and premiere garden center, the experts at the company have tips that will help any home gardener show off their green thumb. Scott spends...

Not much can get done on the farm today without a tractor, but working around tractors can result in some of the most serious injuries or deaths on the farm if care is not taken. Stephanie Hoff and Division of Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist John Shutske highlight common scenarios that frequently lead to accidents. But more importantly, you'll hear how to prevent them.  Se...

Gardeners are now ready to proceed with all the plans they've been making for 2026.  When they start, questions are likely to follow.  Kiley Allan finds out what common questions are from Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Educator with Dane County Extension Service.  Due to climate change and unpredictable  weather, gardeners should use a soil thermometer rather than sp...

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act , signed into law on January 16 of this year. This piece of legislation increases school lunch milk options that are available to students at the lunch counter. Darin Von Ruden is the President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, and he tells Kiley Allan that while the legislation is good news, it hasn’t been easy for schools to keep whole milk in stock. See o...

Stephanie Hoff heads to Stoughton to get a taste of springtime on the farm. At Eugster’s Farm Market, we’re going behind the scenes to talk about the world of lambing and kidding season. From the round-the-clock care for newborn animals to getting the vegetable greenhouses ready for summer, Kat Eugster tells us what it takes to operate this agricultural tourism destination. See omnystu...

It’s important to drive safe on our roadways regardless of what time of year it is. However, some extra caution is encouraged during busy times of year in rural communities. In the spring, farmers are on the move and much of the equipment they use is bigger than the typical vehicles we share the roadways with. Inspector Kory Schultz with the Wisconsin State Patrol explained some of the rules...

Stephanie Hoff is catching up with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director of Government Relations Jason Mugnaini to reflect on victories from the past session as well as what’s coming. From new transportation efficiencies and vital liability protections for farmers, we’re breaking down what’s happening at the state level and what it means for your operation.  Se...

Frustration levels are mounting for many Wisconsin farms as they struggle to try and stay on time with spring planting.  Don't let that frustration force you to make bad decisions!  That's the advice from Andy Grebner, District Sales Manager for Wyffels Hybrids. Grebner says he understands the anxiety farmers are experiencing, but points to preparation and patience as key ingredients to...

Coordinating data is becoming a bigger part of the picture for today's beef producers.  Jill Welke finds out about the full scope of information out there from Andrew Coppin of RanchBot.  RanchBot looks at the global situation with beef and indicators like weather and pasture conditions.  The company serves over 12,000 farmers and ranchers by helping them monitor available water and...

The severe weather Wisconsin's experienced emphasizes why individual weather data can be so meaningful.  Right now the National Weather Service is asking all residents to consider becoming a part of their weather reporting network.  Ben Jarboe finds out why that individual information can be so powerful from Sarah Marquardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service bureau i...

Jordan Ag Supply in Monroe, WI is a farmer's one-stop shop when it comes to everything they need for field plastics, bunker covers, bags, equipment, and more. Brad Jordan is the Inside and Outside Sales Representative, so when I had the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about everything plastics, I knew he was just the guy to ask what the most important things are that we need to consider...

If other home gardeners are anything like me, they're chomping at the bit to get things in the ground now that spring has sprung here in Wisconsin. Lisa Johnson is the Horticulture Educator for Dane County Extension. She tells me to pump the brakes and wait a little bit before I start planting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year, the Wisconsin Association of Fairs awards Bob Williams Fair Ag Grants. The $1,000 grants are used by fairs to promote Wisconsin agriculture on their grounds. Jenny Hesse, the Fair Manager at the Kenosha County Fairs, tells us about the simplicity of the application process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As farmers, we know lost time for broken equipment, means lost money so we take extra care to make sure we’re performing preventative maintenance on our equipment. But we need to make sure our bodies are also running like a well oiled machine. Lori Tuttle has been a mammographer for 23 years and reminds us that taking the time to take care of ourselves is crucial. See omnystudio.com/listener...

The CoCoRaHS Rain Gauge Rally is under way and it has sparked groups across the state to join in. One of these groups is the Green Lake Association. Jim Goyette is a member of the group and he says it is a great way to know what is happening in your own back yard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff and Heather Hunt, outreach program manager with the UW-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Program, discuss what it takes to judge specialty meats. At the Wisconsin Specialty Meat Championships and the Wisconsin State Fair Meat Products Contest, judges evaluate everything from traditional snack sticks to old-world, artisanal sausage. Heather tells us how judges mai...

Stephanie Hoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety & Inspection Service Administrator Justin Ransom explore the reorganization within the USDA aimed at decentralizing leadership and empowering rural meat processors. Ransom discusses the potential redrawing of "small" and "very small" business designations and how these changes could unlock new federal resources for local entrepreneu...

Some Wisconsin farm workers are already active!  Stephanie Hoff finds out how the honeybee population has mobilized from Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, WI State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. During mid-to-late February, nearly every migratory commercial bee colony in the U.S. is located in California for almond pollination. Beyond the risk of "bee spills" (truck accidents), moving bee...

There may not be any seed in the ground (yet), but Wisconsin is looking at potentially more acres for soybeans this year! Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist says it's a good time to consider entering the 2026 WI Soybean Marketing Board's Yield Contest .  Planning where you want to plant your contest field, the variety you select, seed treatment, fertilizer - are all in...

Madison, Wisconsin becomes the center of the equine world.  The Midwest Horse Fair returns to the Alliant Energy Center this weekend.  Bob Bosold visits with executive director, Terri Giannetti, talks about the varied horse breeds that will be featured, and some of the hands-on learning opportunities they'll offer.  Giannetti says they're using every available inch of space on the g...

Pictured: Steve with his family. During Steve Van Lannen's 30 plus years in the meat industry, he ran packing companies in six states but spent most of his career in Wisconsin, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer of American Foods Group. Through innovation and forward thinking his leadership brought growth and diversity to the companies he worked for. An advocate of education, h...