MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

At the end of July, Wisconsin got a stamp of approval from the federal government for its plan to expand broadband. The state will get $1.1 billion to bring high-speed internet access to all of its residents by the end of the decade. Brittany Beyer joins us, she’s an Extension specialist in community economic development out of Rhinelander. She has been on the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Ac...

Legacy Hill Acres has been around since 1921 and was started when Phillip Statz's Great grandpa and grandma moved from Sun Prairie to the farm. Where they raised 15 children on the farm.  Electricity was not present on the farm when they moved. And Elizabeth Statz was promised electricity, but didn't get it until 15 years later. Currently they have 117 acres of the farm are enrolled in the CRP pro...

Since 2020, Focus on Energy has helped Wisconsin farms and agribusinesses save money with their grain bin tune up program, and energy saving incentives.  In that time, 87 dryers have received incentives to upgrade their grain dryer.  These incentives totaled over $1.5 million.  There are 24 trade allies across the state that have assisted customers in receiving incentives and choosing an energy ef...

David Stevens explains what this summer's weather has done to impact plants and gives tips for at home gardens and trees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Mitchell, director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute, paints a bleak picture for grain farmers in 2024. The market is not paying what it costs to grow a bushel of corn or soybeans. He advises reaching out to your FSA office to see what's available to you as a safety net.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days General Manager Anna Maenner calls in to preview the show happening Aug. 13-15 in Cadott. Your hosts this year are Close Farms and the Chippewa Valley Music Festival Grounds. You can save money on tickets if you plan ahead! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

River infrastructure is a critical transportation component for production agriculture. Stephanie Hoff finds out about its current status with Dennis Wilmsmeyer. He’s the executive director of America's Central Port in the St. Louis region. He continues to advocate for infrastructure improvements along America’s waterways, including the Mississippi River. He asks that farmers pay attention to this...

As the dairy industry faces the challenges of rising temperatures, a new wave of research is bringing hope to farmers and improving the welfare of dairy calves. Grace Larsen, UW-Madison Graduate Student has been helping to conduct this research and says their research explores both pre- and post-birth heat stress, aiming to improve calf welfare and enhance productivity on farms. The team's studies...

UW-Madison Plant Pathology Prof. Damon Smith says while the tar spot risk has been high and folks are finding tar spot, overall the severity level -- how much disease is there -- is quite low right now. "We haven't reached the upper canopy yet, we aren't seeing yield-limiting levels of disease yet," Smith says. He says if farmers can get their corn crop through the risk window, they'll be outside...

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation now has an agreement with Great Lakes Ag Labor Service to offer a member benefit, explains GLALS General Manager Sarah Black. The company helps farmers utilize the federal H-2A Temporary Agricultural Employment of Foreign Workers program to bring in workers from other countries who have the necessary skills. GLALS can now offer WFBF members assistance with applicat...

On a Wednesday morning, the Wisconsin Bug Guy, State Entomologist PJ Liesch, has advice to reduce mosquito populations around the home and farm. Thinking about having an auction? Steffes Group, Inc. recommends giving yourself ample time to spread the word. Paid for by Steffes. Wisconsin State Fair is having a birthday party celebration for the Cream Puff on Aug. 10 with a unique new flavor, accord...

For 11 years, the Sporkies competition has encouraged Wisconsin State Fair vendors to create next-level foods for fairgoers of all ages. Saz's has been a part of the contest since it started, and this year, they've earned first place. Director of Festivals Hannah Kitzerow walks us through the development of their recipe for the Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites and what it means to be No. 1. Look for the...

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. This is a Wisconsin State Fair news update, brought to you by Gumz Farms - from our family farm to your family’s table. Gumz Farms. Stephanie Hammerly, Program Assistant of the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promo...

Bob Bosold sits down with the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days hosts. The show is Aug. 13-15 at Close Farms and Chippewa Valley Music Festival Grounds in Cadott. Tomorrow morning, the Mid-West Farm Report team will help celebrate our state's newest Century and Sesquicentennial farm families. This morning's Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update tells us how the forecast will treat us at Wisconsin State...

Apple production is looking to be ahead of normal bloom time and production level. This is according to Jacob Franzen, farm manager at Ski-Hi Fruit Farm in Baraboo. He says despite the excess rain the state has been getting, they’ve been lucky to avoid severe flooding. He explains how the crop is looking but first tells us more about how Ski-Hi got started. The Wisconsin State Fair is underway and...

Mike Bertram and Mike Peters give the stories on the research sites fires and share tips on how people can prepare in case this event happens to them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Tokarski is the 4th generation on his families farm in Jefferson County. They are celebrating 100 years this year with his great grandparents starting the farm in 1924.  In the 1950s Matt's Grandparents took the farm over and got into chickens, with 3,000 laying hens while also milking cows. Also in the 1960's Interstate 94 was built which took off 10 acres of their farm land.  The farm skipp...

Wisconsin State Fair CEO Shari Black encourages fairgoers to engage with the livestock and local food aspects of the fair. She says agriculture is the cornerstone of the "11 best days of summer." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shannon Goodman, owner of Inmoxicated in Racine, two mobile units that bring nonalcohol refreshments to fairs and festivals, was a judge for this year's Sporkies and Drinkies competitions. She gives us her State Fair recommendations and tells us about the judging experience. See the finalists: https://wistatefair.com/fair/sporkies/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Johnson, auctioneer for the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction says they'll sell about 30 animals on Aug. 7, including a first-ever Grand Champion Meat Goat. A portion of the money goes to the exhibitor, educational programs at State Fair, and about $40,000 in scholarships.  Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs Kelsey Henderson recommends immersing yourself in all the elements of the fair, inc...

Art Fahey Sr. was born and raised on his families century farm in Green County. As recalls many memories one of the most significant ones that comes to mind is when his farm switched to using full electricity and using milking machines. At that time it took three farms in mile in order to get electricity.  At the sharp age of 100 years old he tells us about his brothers and his first purchases of...

The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is asking the public to submit ticks. This includes any new, invasive ticks moving into the state. Since then, people have been scooping up ticks and sending them to the institute in pre-paid collection kits. So far, scientists have identified more than 5,000 ticks submitted by citizens. Most of these have been the American dog (wood) tick and the deer (bla...

Stephanie Hoff sits down with Nathan Ranallo, otherwise known as Nate The Hoof Guy. He grew up a dairy kid in Northwest Wisconsin and continues to serve the dairy community as a hoof trimmer. In 2020, Nate decided to start taking videos of his work and posting it to social media channels. He was met with overwhelming interest from both the farming and nonfarming communities. Since then he's had hu...

Allison Jonjak is the outreach cranberry specialist with the Division of Extension. She says growers have had to stay on top of nutrient application and water levels in their marshes with all the rain we've been getting. Luckily, she has a favorable outlook on this year's crop. This is despite pollinator woes. Jonjak explains that cranberries rely on pollinators, such as bees. Ashley Huhn with the...

Here in Wisconsin, there’s an entire festival dedicated to an heirloom pepper. It’s the Beaver Dam Pepper Festival. Today we head to a Beaver Dam Pepper grower based in Watertown. Rose Fliess owns and operates Cornucopia MicroFarm with her family. She’s got thousands of pepper plants, including the Beaver Dam Pepper that will be the star of the show at the festival on Sep. 14. This podcast series...