MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Storm season is upon us in Wisconsin, and it's important you're prepared.  Abby Weiss, Director of Claims for Rural Mutual joins Pam Jahnke to talk about how Rural Mutual responds when weather events occur. Also in studio, Branden Borremans, Communications Specialist and former broadcast TV meteorologist.  Borremans reviews what he sees developing with weather patterns over Wisconsin this growing...

As the voice of farmer-owned cooperatives nationwide, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) is at the forefront of advocating for policies that support the success and sustainability of American agriculture. Chuck Conner, CEO of National Council of Farmer Cooperatives says the pressing issues he’s watching are global competitiveness,  tax policies and labor shortages. See omnystudio.c...

June Dairy Month is right around the corner but it’s a tradition that has been around for decades. Erika Schade, Community and Schools Manager for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin joins us for this month’s check in with dairy checkoff to highlight some of the fun you can experience. But first she shares just how June Dairy Month came to be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's in a pretty good spot when it comes to detection of animal disease, communication about that disease, and mitagating movement of the disease.  Stephanie Hoff talks to two state experts.  Julie Sweney from the unique Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, and Adam Brock, food safety director at the WI Dept. of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection. Sometimes when you work with live...

The farm bill discussion continues on capitol hill. And among those keeping a close eye on policy is the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Association Vice president of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says some of the key things they’re keeping an eye on are critical policy priorities, including the farm bill, tax policy, and emerging issues like lab-grown meat. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Part of the Wisconsin Farm Center, the Herd-Based Diagnostics Program helps Wisconsin dairy herds of all sizes and management types. The HBDP provides veterinary consulting and diagnostic testing services to Wisconsin dairy farmers, including issues related to stray voltage.​ Available at no cost to program participants, the Farm Center's licensed HBDP veterinarian helps producers investigate conc...

Wedding barns are popular hosts for events across the state but now their future is in doubt.  Pam Jahnke talks to Lucas Vebber, deputy counsel for WILL, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty in Milwaukee.  He's representing two wedding barns that say a new law that will take effect in 2026 violates the state's constitution. Recycling wind turbine blades isn't an easy fete but a company in Ohio...

It's mushroom season in Muscoda!  This weekend the community celebrates the fungus with a festival.  Charitee Seebecker talks with mushroom master, Tom Nondorf, veteran who helps purchase morel's for the day-long event that benefits the local VFW. The World Food Prize Laureates were announced in Washington, D.C.  The two honorees are focused in on preserving crop and seed diversity.  Ambassador Te...

The Fertilizer Institute is expecting good news price-wise for farmers this year. That's according to The Institute’s President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. He says we're heading into a more normal market period, however, he expects strong demand to continue. He added that with that, their biostimulant program is elevating product standards for growers.  Central to the certification process is the ri...

Most of us have dealt with our local Farm Credit co-ops at some point. We know they function something like a bank that specializes in ag loans, but do we really understand what they’re doing? Todd Van Hoose, CEO and president of Farm Credit tells us about how they view the current farm economy and how they’re supporting farmers. "The generation on today's Farm is the most sophisticated and Techno...

The American Farm Bureau Federation believes that long-term workforce stability will come through a more streamlined and flexible H-2A visa program. The association says workers should be allowed to continue with an employer for as long as the employer has a need – up to three years. This allows farmers with year-round labor needs, such as dairy farms, to use the program and avoid disrupting their...

The good news ahead of the summer driving season is that gas and diesel prices are lower than last year, and Wisconsin prices are below the national average. Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy, a technology company that tracks fuel prices across the U.S. and Canada. He says he's watching a few red flags that could reverse the drop in gas prices, such as unrest in the Mi...

Wisconsin Senator Joan Ballweg from Markesan is ready for the conversations happening today at the state capitol.  In a conversation with Pam Jahnke, Ballweg cited two specific areas that she believes rural residents will want to watch.  First, the ongoing battle over PFAS management.  Ballweg says their goal with the veto override on PFAS funding focuses on not punishing innocent people caught in...

The battle continues for acknowledgement and support of reformulated fuels in Washington, D.C.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, about their strategies to try and get the facts to policymakers. Feed isn't something you think would involve international politics - but it does.  Constance Cullman with the American Feed Association explains the dynamics of what's influenc...

Between the impacts of supply chain disruptions, geopolitical shifts and more, the U.S. animal feed industry is doubling down on its commitment to flexibility, sustainability, and innovation. That's according to Constance Cullman, President and CEO of the American Feed Industry Association. She tells us what she’s keeping an eye on internationally. But first she tells Mid-West Farm Report what the...

Mick Hombs begrudgingly took over as General Manager of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.  He's been a part of the milk procurement team since 2019, and was happy to stay in that role.  Now, he's using his expertise to move the cooperative forward.  He chats with Pam Jahnke. Canadian rail workers are threatening to strike, putting all of agriculture on notice.  They say they're working shorthanded ever...

If you like asparagus, this is the year for you! Because this year’s asparagus season is shaping up to be good as harvest is even ahead of schedule. That’s according to Nathan Bula from Spears-R-Us in Adams. Despite early season setbacks caused by unforeseen weather fluctuations, including abnormally warm weather in February followed by frost, Bula remains optimistic. Natural rain patterns have pr...

In the offseason, lawmakers are still at work reviewing the playbook from the previous session and getting the game plan together for the next time they meet. Representative Travis Tranel, chair of the Assembly Ag Committee, says he wants to add ARIP to the next state budget since it's been so popular this year. He says the committee will also revisit foreign farmland ownership. The next session b...

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture or NASDA represents the ag departments in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. RJ Karney is the senior director of public policy for the NASDA. He says the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak in dairy cattle is taking top priority. But NASDA's attention doesn't stop at animal disease. The association is also addressing human a...

As the United States works toward reducing emissions, the Renewable Fuels Association doesn’t want biofuels to get tossed aside. Troy Bredenkamp, Senior Vice President of Government & Public Affairs, is focused on ensuring flexible fuel vehicles -- cars that can run on high blends of renewable corn ethanol -- earn the same sustainability credits as electric vehicles. Specifically, Bredenkamp i...

Many Wisconsin farmers have had an unfortunate experience learning about tar spot in corn.  While there may be little known about the fungus in terms of prevention, DeKalb is conducting research now to try and find a combination of potential genetic answers.  Jim Donnelly is a DeKalb Technical Agronomist.  Pam Jahnke spoke with him from a farm field in northern Illinois where Donnelly says he's be...

Welcome back as we introduce you to the bounty of specialty crops that Wisconsin has to offer and the families who produce them. Today we’re heading to Mayberry Farms in Dodge County. That’s where you’ll find first-generation strawberry grower Danielle Clark. Her family of six started the adventure in 2017. Mayberry Farms in Mayville is known for its 12 acres of strawberries, but they’ve also got...

As the Mother’s Day weekend approaches, Kopke’s Greenhouse is gearing up for what promises to be another bustling season. Founded in 1981 Kopke’s began with just a couple of greenhouses aimed at supporting a vegetable truck farm. Over the years, the focus shifted towards ornamental flowers, prompting continuous expansion. Today, the operation boasts an impressive 33 greenhouses, filled to the brim...

The rural voice is really going to matter this election year - and that influence will ripple beyond the presidential decision.  David Bowen, Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP of Wisconsin is busy now making sure candidates understand where priorities lie. Bowen says big bullet items they want all Wisconsinites discussing with candidates include social security and maintaining its fund...

The Farm Bill of 2023 has been delayed until 2024, but there seems to be a commitment to mark the bill up by Memorial Day.  Stephanie Hoff gets the update from Mike Stranz, vice president of advocacy for the National Farmers Union. You may think pork chops, pork roasts - even a brat when it comes to your preferred pork, but that's not the case around the world.  Trachelle Carr leads international...