MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Celebrating 175 Years of Impact, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will mark this milestone with a special event hosted at Badger Veterinary Hospital on June 25. Dr. Scott Spaulding, co-founder of Badger Veterinary Hospital and a passionate advocate for UW-Madison’s veterinary program says it’s an opportunity to highlight the advancements made at the school of veterinary medicine over the years...

There’s nothing like biting into a cob of sweet corn on a summer day. And just in time for the Fourth of July, Skelly’s Farm Market in Janesville expects their first varieties to be ready for harvest. For our next episode with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, we’re sitting down with Scott and Laura Skelly. Scott is the sixth generation of Skelly’s Farm in Janesville. More than one h...

Many Wisconsinites want to soak up the sun and the heat before enduring another long winter. But for cows, the summer heat can bring negative implications, from head to hoof. Karl Burgi is a global leader in hoof health. He’s a hoof health consultant and hoof trimmer with Sure Step Consulting and Save Cows Network. He says the heat, humidity, and moisture can be problematic for cattle in and out o...

Sally Ladsten is the state ffa advisor through the WI Department of Public Instruction.  She tells Pam Jahnke about the teacher shortages they're facing and how alumni support matters to the vigor of an FFA program. Jane Blain Gilbertson has announced some leadership changes at Blain's Farm & Fleet.   Elroy Fair in Elroy is the first in the state that will be monitoring new testing requirement...

Kenneth Mendez is the president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This is a nonprofit that represents Americans with allergic diseases in the policy and research spaces. He says if you end up feeling miserable during the first nice week of the year and in waves throughout the summer, you're not alone. About 26 percent of adults and 19 percent of children suffer every year. S...

Underneath 50 million-plus acres across the nation are miles of tile quietly keeping fields in prime condition for growing crops. This innovative approach to managing soil moisture is proving to be a game-changer in modern agriculture, providing numerous benefits to farmers and the environment alike. Drain tile systems play a crucial role in controlling soil moisture levels. "It helps control the...

The new Wisconsin State FFA President hails from western Wisconsin.  Jescey Thompson is a member of the Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau FFA chapter.  He had served as the 2023-2024 Wisconsin State FFA Reporter. Thompson is very engaged in policy advocacy for agriculture and intends to make that a part of his career. Aubrey Schlimgen chats with the new leader. Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of...

Making sure farmers know where their checkoff dollars are being invested is a critical responsibility for board members.  Shane Goplin, corn grower and board member, visits with Jill Welke to explain where the latest investments have been made and what returns are expected. Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union explains the sticking points over "Right to Repair" involving agriculture. Heat a...

If you're feeling uncomfortable in the summer heat, so are the cattle. Dr. Scott Pertzborn is one of the owners at the Lodi Veterinary Clinic specializing in livestock. He says heat can be problematic for dairy and beef production, and he's got strategies to help you keep everyone cool. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a wet spring, expect flies. Dr. Scott Pertzborn is one of the owners at Lodi Veterinary Care, specializing in livestock. He says flies need moisture to breed. He has strategies to mitigate the fly population on the farm. He says it starts by examining where they’re coming from. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven’t been out to the strawberry patch yet, your window is getting tighter. June is strawberry month in Wisconsin. Today we visit with Andrew Zwald at White Pine Berry Farm in River Falls. He says his dad went from dairy to berry in 2012 and started planting strawberries and pumpkins, and putting up a wedding barn. Today, the family has added Christmas trees and sunflowers, just to name a...

Picture this: a group of students from Wisconsin traveling to the sun-soaked shores of the Bahamas, not for a vacation, but to delve into the unique world of tropical agriculture. This past January, Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC)hosted a study abroad program that introduced students to the vibrant agricultural landscape of the Bahamas. Im charitee….Sarah Mills-Lloyd is the department chair fo...

You're working extremely hard. Unfortunately, your hard work could get undone if you don't take care of yourself. Jessica Beauchamp, Farmer Wellness Program Tele-Counselor through the Wisconsin Farm Center, says don't work while you're HALT -- hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Experiencing HALT symptoms can lead to bad decision-making. Heat is in the forecast today -- keep yourself hydrated and pro...

As summer rolls in, so does the buzz around tractor safety courses—a must for anyone gearing up to handle machinery, whether on the farm or in the yard. For teens eyeing their driver's licenses, these courses offer important information into navigating roads alongside agricultural implements. For Scott Reuss (Royce), Crops & Soils Regional Educator for UW-Extension, leading a Tractor Safety co...

Becoming the first online academy to charter an FFA Chapter for Wisconsin FFA, Destinations Career Academy is making history.    Mindy Smits is the FFA Advisor and Lead Instructor of the agricultural pathway for the Destinations Career Academy.  She says, "I did not have a traditional pathway to get into agriculture. I was surrounded by it with family. Making history as the first virtual charter,...

Jescey Thompson from the Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau FFA Chapter has been elected to serve as the Wisconsin State FFA President for the 2024-2025 year.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ally Loosen of the Slinger FFA is the State Star In Agribusiness Winner. She runs a Jackpot show for beef cattle called the Southeast Elite. This show has flourished for the past 4 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a lot to be excited about at Northcentral Technical College (NTC). As they have a brand new meat lab, housing the school’s new ‘Pasture to Plate’ butchery program.  The new program was born out of necessity. During the pandemic, meat facilities were unable to take in all the animals that needed to be harvested. In response, state funds have been invested in educational programs focusing on...

Biosecurity should be a top priority for dairy producers to keep their herds healthy. By implementing strict biosecurity measures, producers can prevent the spread of disease among their cattle and workers. Investing in these protocols is not just a matter of farm management but a commitment to animal welfare, public health and the long-term viability of animal agriculture.   In this edition, Pam...

AARP has a long history of supporting those who have served in the United States armed forces.  Stu Martell is a Madison native who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.  Once his service was complete, Stu entered the private sector and didn't spend a lot of time looking back. Today, Martell is an active volunteer with AARP of Wisconsin .  He enjoys the camaraderie and events that AARP p...

Fifteen beef industry leaders from 10 states, including Wisconsin, were in Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan this May where they studied market conditions and U.S. beef’s potential while witnessing and participating in U.S. beef promotions. Joe Meyer (Unity, Wis.) and Brady Klatt (Clinton, Wis.) represented Wisconsin Beef Council on the trip. In both markets, the weeklong tour included U.S. Emb...

Wisconsin agriculture continues to diversify.  Stephanie Hoff investigates a hoop house farming operation in Manitowoc County, operated by a retired veteran.  Sullivan Family Farm in Manitowoc is growing peas among other specialty crops to live a healthy lifestyle and give back to the community. Ryan Sullivan and his wife are the first generation on the farm following Ryan’s 26-year career with th...

There's a new face at the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association.  Grant Holley is the new Executive Director for Wisconsin Cranberry Growers, coming to the state from North Carolina.  Charitee Seebecker sits down with Holley to find out more about what he has planned for the state's largest fruit growing group. Stacie Kopenhafer is one of the dairy exhibitors that will be impacted by the new sta...

 In an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is requiring Influenza A testing prior to movement of lactating dairy cattle to fairs or exhibitions effective beginning June 19. USDA has recommended that measures be taken to minimize the potential spread of influenza. HPAI (H5N1) has been d...

Pat Herbst has been in the business for 40 years as a certified crop specialist with Insight FS. He’s based out of Darlington. He says the southern half of the state is done planting, but they’re still looking forward to some dry days. He says corn is losing nitrogen after the rain. It's starting to yellow. Side dressing nitrogen is going to be key, he says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...