MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

There's over 500 meat processors in Wisconsin ranging from small family butchers to mid and larger sized processors.  The WI Meat Processing School is designed to keep that industries talent pool robust.  Dr. Jeff Sindelar tells Pam Jahnke about the school and the latest status on the state's industry. There's a big dairy farm sale coming up next week in Dane County.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes...

In our monthly chat with WI Senator, Joan Ballweg, Pam Jahnke learns that the state's investing a little improvement money in the Milwaukee Mile.  That fixture in the middle of the WI State Fair Park, is looking forward to enhanced race opportunities and needs a few upgrades. Speaking of upgrades, Ballweg also highlights the incredible interest and turnout for the fresh Agriculture Road Improvemen...

Keeping the confidence of consumers is a job for all dairy producers, and they teams they rely on.  One member of that team should be your dairy field representative. Today, Pam Jahnke visits with FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative Field Rep., Barb Grzywinski from Eden.  The FARM program recently revised some of their guidelines for dairy farmers and how they care for their animals.  Grzywinski focuses a...

A Wisconsin family farm can be a time capsule, especially when the same family has been farming the land for more than 150 years. Bob and Lucille Accola in Buffalo County take pride in showcasing how farming was done in the early days. Lucille is the third generation on her family’s Sesquicentennial farm. She and her husband tell us the farm story, beginning with her grandfather’s move to the Unit...

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Milwaukee this week to host an Investing in America Town Hall. He highlighted investments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. Wisconsin has 28 climate-smart projects that are engaging hundreds of farmers across 46 major commodities in our state. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

David Heinrich shares the history of his farm that dates back to 1864. He also shares some stories that he remembers from his years of living and working on the farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathon Lutz shares the history and his memories of his family farm that is celebrating their 100th year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harvest is approaching, and for some Wisconsin corn growers it can't come quick enough.  Stephanie Hoff talks with UW-Extension Plant Pathologist, Dr. Damon Smith, about the potential for tar spot in corn.  This disease can literally level a corn field in just a few days if the infection's bad enough. Rushing Waters in Palmyra is finding success raising trout in their fish ponds.  It gives people...

The 2024 WI Farm Technology Days show is in the rear mirror and now we're looking ahead to 2025.  Bob Bosold talks with Brad Clinton, one of the family members of the Clinton Family Farm hosting the 2025 show.  It's the third time this family has stepped up to host. The first $50 million of Ag Road Improvement Funding is headed to the country to improve rural roads and bridges.  Mike Koles, execut...

Four Wisconsin corn mazes will focus on the upcoming draft in Green Bay.  Sheila Everhart, executive director of the Wisconsin Ag Tourism Association, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss the themes and economic impact expected. The Mid-West Farm Report's happy to be co-hosting a WI FFA Foundation Packer Watch Party on September 6th.  Pam and Stu Muck discuss the details. Details have been released from Da...

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is dedicated to ensuring that dairy producers across the state are well-informed and engaged. Through a range of innovative communication strategies and outreach programs, DFW aims to keep farmers updated on the impact of their contributions and the organization's ongoing initiatives. Liza Schlintz, Farmer Communications Manager for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, joins us f...

Today, we're exploring a topic that's vital for the health and productivity of our dairy herds – the importance of gut health in dairy calves. In this episode, we’ll uncover why a healthy gut is the cornerstone of a calf’s development, how a balanced microbiome can enhance growth and immunity and what practical steps producers can take to optimize gut health from day one. Dr. Jill Soderstrom, milk...

Charlie Crave, the president of the Wisconsin 4H Foundation, gives a look at the history of the conference and insight on what to expect from it this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's making some adjustment to the farm loan program available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA).  Pam Jahnke gets some details from Gene Schreifer, state executive director of Wisconsin's FSA offices.  He says it's all about becoming more customer focused and friendly. The Wisconsin Ag Tourism Association is launching a fall corn maze campaign and highlighting...

Tera Montgomery, the School of Agriculture director at UW-Platteville, gives a look into the research being done with the dairy hub funding. As well as what fall enrollment is looking like for the ag program this fall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ticks - they may be irritating but they're also dangerous.  Stephanie Hoff finds out about a tick collection campaign happening at the Marshfield Farm Medicine Center with researcher, Alex Lin. There's a big auction coming up next week involving a large dairy outside of Madison.  Randy Cath with the Steffes Group, explains all the options that are being offered to buy the cattle, land or milking s...

Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association is excited for the opportunity to combine football and fun to drive more families to explore Wisconsin farms. Four farms on the corridors leading to Green Bay will feature a draft theme in their corn mazes this fall. Agricultural tourism provides opportunities for families to have authentic experiences filled with learning, food and fun on the farm.  With...

A few weeks ago the West Madison Research Station fell victim to a fire that destroyed one of their storage sheds. This fire was very similar to one that took place at the Arlington Research station 2 years ago. Mike Bertram is the superintendent of the Arlington research station and joins Ben Jarboe to explain how they were able to recover. Michael Peters of the West Madison Research Station also...

Jeanette Baranger with The Livestock Conservancy was able to explain what a heritage breed is and what they are doing to preserve the ones that are left. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days starts on Tuesday in Chippewa County.  Jill Welke visits with Jerry Clark, UW-Extension Crops & Soils Agent and volunteer in the rural living tent.  He says they've jammed a lot of unique Chippewa County agriculture elements in just that one spot. You may need bug spray if you're attending WI Farm Tech Days.  Charitee Seebecker visits with UW-Extension Entomologi...

In the United States, 80 percent of banks have agriculture in their portfolio. And these banks are hoping to get a bill through Congress to give them some tax relief in order to lower costs for their rural customers. Ed Elfmann, senior vice president of agriculture and rural banking policy for the American Bankers Association, says the “ACRE Act” would help lower lending costs for farmers, rancher...

Elaine Froese is a farm family transition expert from Manitoba Canada where she grew up on mixed farm. And today her husband and son farm 5,000 acres of certified seed crops.  Her passion to coach farm families and start to speaking career came from experiencing her own hardships of transitioning their farm. In 1998 Elaine and her family sat down to discuss a plan, and then just a few short weeks...

On Aug. 16-18, join the Badger Steam & Gas Engine Club for its 61st annual show in Baraboo! The club is bringing together enthusiastic exhibitors to continue the mission of preserving agricultural and industrial heritage. This year’s feature is J.I. Case. Club President Steve Roudebush sits down with Mid-West Farm Report intern Elizabeth Schoeneberg to tell his connection to heritage machinery...

It’s named one of the best food festivals in the Midwest and it features food we hold dear in Wisconsin… I’m talking about the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival. Eighty tons of Wisconsin-grown sweet corn served with savory butter and sprinkled with as much salt as you like. The festival runs Aug. 14-18 at Angell Park in Sun Prairie. We’re talking with Christina Williams, Executive Director of the Su...

The Wisconsin State Fair is full of opportunities to learn about Wisconsin agriculture. Dairy Lane is one area where fairgoers of all ages can learn about Wisconsin’s vibrant dairy industry. Stephanie Hammerly, Program Assistant of the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board talks with Charitee Seebecker. Gary Gosda was named the 2024 Grand Master Cheesemaker at the WI State Fair.  His maple fl...