MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Drew Lerner, president and senior meteorologist from world weather incorporated joins Jill Welke to dive into the why behind what’s been causing the weather patterns we’ve been experiencing. He says it all starts with el Niño and la Nina. Apple production is looking to be ahead of normal bloom time and production level despite the excess rain we've been getting. This is according to Jacob Franzen,...

Kwik Trip continues to push the boundaries of creativity and taste in their ice cream offerings, delighting customers with unique and flavorful experiences. The journey from concept to shelf is an extensive process driven by market trends, customer feedback, and the desire to deliver high-quality products. "We put a lot of research into developing new flavors," says Katarina Nemitz, Kwik Trip food...

James Hundt is the 6th generation on his families Cash crop and beef operation at Hundt Farms LLC in Middle Ridge WI.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With this farm celebrating just over 100 year Michelle's great great grandfather moved to America with his wife and son to start a farm in Wisconsin in 1891. And then in 1919-1920 Leo Michell's Great Grandfather bought the farm they have now from the Moore and Galloway Lumber company.  At this farm they raised registered guernseys, beef, pigs, and chickens. Then in 1971 Michell's Dad and Grandpa m...

To kick off the week, Bob Bosold from the Northern end of the world's longest barn in Eau Claire sits down with Barron County soybean grower Tanner Johnson after he gets back from an advocacy trip in D.C. Johnson feels optimistic about the Farm Bill and a new relationship with the Moroccan Embassy. We hope you enjoyed a beautiful weekend because more moisture is on the way, including possible seve...

Michael Ruff’s farm in Chippewa County has a rich history that dates back to 1850 when his great-great-great-grandfather immigrated from Germany to Milwaukee with his family of seven. Two of their children served in the Civil War, and in 1866, the family moved to Chippewa County, where they engaged in logging and farming before purchasing the farm in 1874. Michael, the fifth generation, still live...

The recent heavy rains across Wisconsin have significantly impacted mosquito populations, leading to heightened mosquito pressure in many areas of the state, particularly in regions such as the Driftless Area and the North Woods. State entomologist, PJ Liesch, provided insights into the current situation and offered valuable recommendations to both the public and farmers to mitigate mosquito bites...

Peter Fritsch the president and owner of Rushing Waters explains how they run their business and what it takes to raise rainbow trout See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a Friday morning, UW Entomology Professor Emily Bick, co-founder of the Insect Eavesdropper, says farmers have a new way to detect and monitor insect pests directly on their crops by harnessing sound. Her new tool provides early detection that can significantly enhance crop protection strategies. Gather Wisconsin (gatherwisconsin.com) has released the Great Wisconsin Ice Cream Trail, a map feat...

The beef industry is buzzing with an exciting trend to fill the beef supply gap – raising beef-on-dairy cattle. This innovative approach to raising high-quality beef is shaking up the market, driven by changing consumer preferences, a decline in traditional beef cattle numbers, economic factors and the need for more sustainable livestock practices. By blending beef genetics into dairy herds, produ...

In 1846, two years before Wisconsin achieved statehood, Pliny and Valeria Clark, along with their children, arrived in the Wisconsin Territory from Vermont and became some of the earliest settlers in the newly established Town of Montrose. Pliny purchased land from the US Government, including the present farm and much of what now comprises Paoli. In 1849, he brought the first Spanish Merino sheep...

Pine Lawn Farms, nestled along the Manitowoc River in Cato, has a rich history dating back to 1874 when Halverson Pederson, a Norwegian immigrant who worked on the railroads, purchased the farm. Halverson's son Clarence later took over, building a two-story farmhouse, parts of which include the original log house and barn. Clarence expanded the farm, adding a bull pen and calf pen, and raised 25 G...

While today's forecast calls for sunshine and no rain, we're still dealing with the implications of heavy rainfall from this spring and summer. Pam Jahnke sits down with NRCS Chief Terry Cosby who outlines the work the agency is doing to get money into producers' hands for conservation work. He says these practices can prevent erosion, runoff, and flooding issues. Even fish look forward to dry day...

Science, technology, engineering, and math. While you did not hear agriculture in that lineup, agriculture includes all of those things. And this year, the rest of the state will find that out as well. We're excited to announce that the upcoming Wisconsin Science Festival, October 14-20, is all about agriculture this year. Samantha Mulrooney is the Wisconsin Science Festival director. She joins St...

Chris and Jenny Reichert of Reichert Land and Cattle in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, have been awarded the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association Environmental Stewardship Award. Together with their three children, the Reicherts manage their cattle using an intensive rotational grazing system and implement cover crops and no-till practices to reduce erosion on their crop ground. Their sustainable practi...

Welcome back as we feature specialty crops across Wisconsin and the farm families who grow them. The zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, and sunflowers are almost at peak bloom just east of Madison. Today we’re heading to Schuster’s Farm in Deerfield. The farm’s three-month season is jam-packed with one-of-a-kind experiences for families. In the fall, you can enjoy the pumpkins, the corn maze, and those b...

Laura Paine explains how after 10 years, the GrassWorks grazing school is back in action helping beginner and seasoned farmers manage their livestock grazing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Handrich is the ag instructor/FFA advisor in Denmark and she's also the new president of the WI Ag Educators Association.  She shares with Pam Jahnke how she structures her classes with rigor to produce students ready for the job market. Craig Kamholz, Rural Mutual Agent in Green County, says farms need to safeguard their farm equipment as the harvest picks up space.  Stealing something as bi...

Stray voltage on the farm could be disrupting your animals’ routine and your bottom line through no fault of your own. Bryanna Handel has first-hand experience. Bryanna and her husband farm B. Kurt Dairy in Barneveld. Bryanna says people don’t usually feel any shock from stray voltage, but animals are more susceptible. She realized there was a problem as soon as her cows started acting out of the...

Bob Bosold brings a growing season update with farmers from MN and IA.  Two different worlds despite being close geographically. 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 talks to Charitee Seebecker about how the crop is looking but first tells us more about how Ski-Hi got...

Tamarack Trail Farm in Waushara County has a rich history dating back to 1924 when Heidi Strauss's great-grandfather purchased it for $6,500. Back then, the farm had no indoor plumbing and only got electricity in 1942. A one-room schoolhouse on the property served as temporary housing for Heidi's grandparents while they renovated the farmhouse. Heidi, the fourth generation, acquired the farm in 20...

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. Ski-Hi Fruit Farm, established in 1907 by AK Bassett, continues to thrive as a family-owned farm. Now in its third generation of o...

Troy Farm has a rich history deeply rooted in the Madison community's dedication to preserving natural spaces for local use. Originally a vacant land owned by the City of Madison, the area was saved from development through a collective effort by local residents, organizations, and university members. Farm director Paul Huber says that today, Troy Farm thrives as a hub of community engagement, edu...

You may know Meister Cheese for their dairy products but they also pioneer in another area with Muscoda Protein Products which is a sister company to process their whey protein. Scott Meister is a 3rd generation owner of Meister Cheese, and owns the family business currently with his son Alex Meister (4th generation) and sister Vicki Thingvold. Muscoda Protein Products was started in 1981 by Stanl...

Over a million visitors made the Wisconsin State Fair part of their summer in 2023, and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is hoping they'll all show up again - and bring friends! Erika Schade, Community and Schools Manager for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, is particularly excited about the new knowledge elements they're supporting at Dairy Lane.  Dairy Lane is located in the lower level at the southeast en...