MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Janet Clark speaks to some of the programs funded by Checkoff dollars. More importantly, she encourages everyone to get connected and ask the questions about what checkoff is doing for you.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cows? Check. Grilled cheese? Check. Ice cream? You bet! As one of the sweetest traditions at World Dairy Expo, the GEA Farm Technologies ice cream stand marks its 20th year in Madison. Sue Begg, GEA’s Marketing and Communications Manager, is the mastermind behind the stand, spending six months getting everything ready for the big event. “We serve around 12,000 to 13,000 dishes of ice cream during...

Wisconsin has selected its four finalists for this year's Leopold Conservation award.  Charitee Seebecker introduces us to one of them.  Glacial Lake Cranberries, one of the oldest cranberry farms in Wisconsin, is celebrating its 151st year of commercial cranberry production. Owned and operated by Mary Brazeau Brown, this historic farm continues to thrive, thanks to its strong commitment to sustai...

Farmers in Wisconsin are reporting early soybean yields, with some fields delivering below-average results due to challenging growing conditions earlier this season. Earl Pelak, Grain Originator for Insight FS in Ixonia, shared insights into the ongoing harvest and expectations for this year's yield. "It's a relatively early start, but we have had a few producers consistently hauling in now," Pela...

Brian Carscadden with Blondin Sires talks with Pam Jahnke, the Fabulous Farm Babe about the extras steps and quarantines needed to travel to and from World Dairy Expo this year from Canada. Take a listen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We had the chance to catch up with Irene Nielsen, a media intern this again this year, who participated in the Intercollegiate Judging Contest and will be a scholarship recipient at tonight's National Dairy Shrine Banquet.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We expected it.  After a wet spring, and then a dry summer - we've got erratic corn fields and corn yields. Andy Grebner, sales representative with Wyffels Hybrids , gives us an early peak at some fresh yields.  He also introduces Wyffels new partnership with Farm Rescue.  Farm Rescue is an organization that provides assistance to families facing crisis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Just when you think you've got a good crop established, something like insects or fungus can derail your plans. Dean Ebert, Branch Manager in West Bend with Helena Agri says he's been spending a lot of time walking fields looking for everything from tar spot, to insect damage.  The windows for controlling those yield robbers are limited, and Ebert says it's important to stay in touch with your agr...

Wisconsin weather has been fickle again this growing season and it could mean compromised stalk health. Steve Bailie, Branch Manager in Monroe for Helena Agr i, says it's going to be important for farms to monitor stalk quality as the harvest gets started.  The pinch or push test are part of the conversation.  Pinching the stalks to see how firm they are, or pushing the stalk to see if it stands,...

Wisconsin Farmers Union wants a Farm Bill done, but inaction might be the continued story for 2024, says President Darin Von Ruden. He tells Bob Bosold he expects a lame-duck session in Congress. An unseasonably warm day to wrap up September! Stu Muck has the forecast for this year's World Dairy Expo. Congrats to Alexis Blankenberg from Platteville for topping the senior female division in the You...

With commodity prices where they are, growers cannot afford to guess about any element of that crop.  From seed to fertilizer and everything in between - you need a sharp pencil. Steve Bailie, Branch Manager in Monroe for Helena Agri, says they're happy to offer VRT (variable rate technology) to their customers to help find the "sweet spot" on production costs.  Technicians literally evaluate ever...

Glacial Lake Cranberries, one of the oldest cranberry farms in Wisconsin, is celebrating its 151st year of commercial cranberry production. Owned and operated by Mary Brazeau Brown, this historic farm continues to thrive, thanks to its strong commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation efforts. The farm was founded in 1873 and has grown into a 2,600-acre operation with an add...

One of the biggest questions during harvest recently has been if local dealers will have a good parts supply for the harvest season. Danielle Waterworth, the Vice president of the North American ag dealers and customer support for CNH, says that through their research and data, they feel that a normalization has occurred since covid, and dealers are ready to help keep farmers in the field this har...

There are 71 counties across Wisconsin populated with townships.  Each of those townships face unique responsibilities to tax payers.  In this edition of Rural Mutual Round Table, Dan Lowndes, managing attorney with Statewide Services for Rural Mutual, talks about the liabilities that townships face and how they should be protecting themselves. Lowndes says with upcoming elections, many townships...

Propane users are looking at a favorable market this fall. Supply is high and cost is low, according to the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association. Executive Director Cheryle Lytle says there are also some strategies to take this season to make sure you are on top of your own supply and prices. Additional opportunities are available for farms and businesses to bring on more propane, even when it comes...

It’s a gorgeous time of year in Wisconsin, and we're not just talking about the leaves. Our next episode in our specialty crop series takes us to the cranberry marsh to witness the changing foliage and the vibrant red berries. James Lake Farms is a family-owned and operated organic cranberry marsh. They’re located in Oneida County, just Northeast of Rhinelander. Owner John Stauner grows 189 acres...

Farm numbers are declining. But Wisconsin author and fourth-generation farmer Brian Reisinger reminds us that not all of these exits are sad stories. Farmers retire (no one can work forever) and sometimes the next generation doesn't want to take over. Consolidation of farms has also been a tool to support more family members on a farm or to keep the neighbor's land in production if they exit the b...

Wisconsin's cattle industry's getting ready for some changes in animal identification standards.  ​Since 2013, breeding cattle over the age of 18 months, dairy cattle, and any cattle used for shows, etc. needed to have an official ID to move between states. This spring, USDA amended that rule so that the IDs have to be both visually AND electronically readable.  ​Stephanie Hoff finds out how it'll...

World Dairy Expo begins next week in the shadow of H5N1 in dairy animals outside Wisconsin.  How's the show handling biosecurity and co-mingling of animals?  Pam Jahnke talks to WDE General Manager, Laura Herschleb, about animal numbers entered for the show, and some of the planned highlights visitors will experience. Dr. Brent Tharp, Technical Product Manager with Wyffels Hybrids catches up with...

If you pair a two-pronged planting season with the heat in late September, you get a variable corn silage crop. Drew Johnson is an independent dairy nutritionist with K & S Dairy Consulting, working out of Cashton and serving the surrounding counties in Western Wisconsin. He tells us about the conversations he's having with customers during the corn silage harvest, starting with the quality of...

AARP has just completed a September poll, asking their membership about key issues pertinent to the upcoming elections. Jim Flaherty, Communications Director with AARP of Wisconsin, says the polls for both presidential candidates, and senate races, are razor thin on margins.  He explains what AARP's independent poll found.  He also addresses key issues important to AARP members like the future of...

Milk markets are not created equal. Here in Wisconsin, we talk a lot about milk and dairy prices moving on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or CME. But Wisconsin ranks No. 2 for the most organic dairy farms in the country. Organic dairy markets don’t follow quite the same market trends as their conventional counterparts. Shawna Nelson is the executive vice president of membership with Organic Valle...

Corn silage harvest is just getting underway in Wisconsin, but monitoring fields and placing priorities on each is key.  Dr. Brent Tharp, Technical Product Manager for Wyffels Hybrids says because of the wet spring Wisconsin experienced, root integrity is questionable. Tharp says growers should focus on those corn fields that have really flared yellow in the past few weeks.  He says that may be a...

Kal Harder, is a recent graduate of Northcentral Technical College, and has achieved a significant milestone in her career by being named the  National Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) organization. This leadership role highlights her dedication to advancing opportunities for students pursuing careers in agriculture. She explains more about...

Heartbreaking and horrific scams are targeting Wisconsin seniors, especially in rural areas of the state where seniors are more isolated from daily news and conversation. Through no fault of their own, grandparents and other seniors are a target for expert thieves. They may have a substantial nest egg, use the telephone more, or receive benefits, such as Medicare and Social Security. Scams are not...