MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Technology has helped dairy farmers be more efficient and make better management decisions for years. Now beekeepers are able to do something similar for their bees. “With younger beekeepers entering our industry, technology is starting to play a role in beekeeping management," says Wayne Steigelman, beekeeper from Brown County. I am using Broodminder sensors in my hives to monitor temperature, hu...

As families start preparing for spring cattle exhibitions and county fair projects, there are some things to know before you show. Extension Livestock Specialist Bernie O’Rourke joins us. She wears a few hats during fair season. With Extension, she works with families involved in youth organizations who are getting involved with animal projects. At home, she’s a sheep producer and a mom to avid sh...

The latest crop progress report from USDA says a handful of Wisconsin farmers are beginning to put corn and oats in the ground in some areas. Spring tillage is also underway as we kick off the planting season. If you’ve got cover crops, there are some things to keep in mind this year before you plant. Daniel Smith is an outreach program manager with the Division of Extension. He specializes in cov...

More and more diaries in the state are turning to automation as a way to help on labor.  Doug Reineman, UW-Extension Specialist, is conducting a survey to try and find out how they can help with educating people using that technology.  Stephanie Hoff finds out details on the survey he's conducting. Critters and bugs may not be done with your home yet as a shelter from the elements.  Tracie Werner...

Farm Animals are great recyclers. They eat things that we can’t and then create quality products for us like milk and protein. And when farm animals get old and pass away, their contribution to recycling doesn't end there. Organic Waste Connections collects deceased animals from farms and facilities, converting them into nutrient-rich compost, thus promoting sustainable waste management practices...

As the weather warms up, the bugs come out, the little brown bats migrate back to Wisconsin, and wild animals look for a place to nurse their babies. Tricia Werner owns and operates Werner Pest and Odor Control out of Seymour with her family. She walks us through the common spring pest issues and how to eradicate them. Werner says they work with customers across the spectrum when it comes to how b...

Strong Microbials, based in Milwaukee, sells buckets and bags of live bacteria and enzymes that re-digest animal waste to reduce clumping and minimize undesirable odors. Director of Plant and Animal Health Renee Kusilek has the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proper wiring and grounding of electrical systems can increase the safety and well-being of your farm investments. The Farm Wiring Program increases farm safety, productivity, and efficiency while decreasing the potential for stray voltage on livestock farms, explains Graham Cassellius, ag specialist with Alliant Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we go into spring and summer, we'll be facing warmer temperatures and need to work harder to keep grain cool so it stores better. Extension Specialist Ken Hellevang from North Dakota State University says temperature and humidity are the two variables that can impact grain quality. You were in control of the moisture when it went into the bin. Now, your focus needs to be on temperature. The opt...

As spring arrives, many homeowners are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to get their hands dirty in the garden. As you look for new flower or vegetable seeds you want to plant this year, take a moment to also look at the seeds you may still have from previous years as those may still be viable. Fortunately, there's a simple solution – the seed roll test. Here's how it works: take 10 seeds from...

It’s the last day of the WPS Farm Show in Oshkosh at the EAA grounds. The different food they have is delicious. One of the stands you’ll find is the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association. Its auxiliary is serving potatoes. Carole Gagas, the coordinator of the stand tells us just how many potatoes they're serving up and where they are coming from. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Wisconsin vineyards are getting an earlier start with an earlier spring – but the early bird is not likely to get the worm in this case. Ryan Prellwitz joins us, owner of Vines & Rushes in Ripon. They grow five acres of grapes on-site and work with about a dozen growers around Wisconsin for the rest of their inventory. Vines & Rushes makes between 10,000 and 20,000 gallons of wine every ye...

WPS Spokesman Matt Cullen is thrilled to welcome spring with the 62nd annual WPS Farm Show this week. He was pleased with the length of the exhibitor list and overall attendance. The show is at the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh. It boasts 400 exhibitors and expects about 20,000 people. New this year -- free parking. Other new elements are bigger and better farm equipment, more precision planting technolo...

Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Darlene Konkle gives us an update on an illness reported in dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico. Affected cows presented decreased milk production and decreased feed consumption. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Disease Control are investigating these cases. This week, USDA announced that tests collected from...

If you're looking for a little something different in your garden or backyard, think native plants.  That's the suggestion from the Wisconsin DNR.  Amy Staffen, Department of Natural Resources conservation biologist, says there’s a growing interest in these plants because they're low maintenance, drought tolerant and benefit wildlife. Charitee Seebecker finds out about it. The 62nd WPS Farm Show w...

With the escalated value beef producers are seeing in the marketplace, focusing on always bringing quality animals to the buyer means money.  Keeping genetics fresh is critical. For 67 years, the Wisconsin Beef Improvement Association (WBIA) has focused on revealing great young sires, ready for a new paddock.  Allan Arndt, Janesville beef producer and current president of WBIA, says the bull sale...

Following an already challenging year for apple production, the weather will continue to play a major role in yields growers see in 2024. Steve Louis, owner of Oakwood Fruit Farm in Richland Center, says that growers across the country are all at different stages of production. He for example, had had buds break dormancy already this year-marking the earliest he can ever remember. While the orchar...

Filing taxes is a necessary evil, but there are many ways to minimize how much you owe. Navigating that landscape can be a real jungle, though. Marissa Nehlsen is a tax expert, coach, and speaker. She's also a farm kid from North Dakota. She advises you to build a strong team of experts and meet annually to discuss your farm's future. She also advises you to stay organized throughout the year... d...

Wisconsin businesses may be eligible for federal disaster loans if they have suffered losses due to the unusually mild winter. The National Weather Service reports snowfall statewide has been 20 to 30 inches below normal this winter. In the Lake Superior snowbelt, generally across Ashland, Iron, and Vilas counties, snowfall was 40 to 70 inches below normal. The U.S. Small Business Administration s...

Dairy risk management involves strategies and practices aimed at identifying and mitigating various challenges associated with operating a dairy farm. These challenges include fluctuations in milk prices, changes in input costs, weather impacting crop yield for feed production and regulatory changes, among others. Utilizing effective dairy risk management tools enables dairy producers to navigate...

Rich Joseph, owner and operator of Hop Garden Brew Pub and member of Wisconsin's Hop Exchange, is excited to see what producers for the top-rated foodie show, "Top Chef" found interesting about their visit to his hopyard last year.  It's likely to be a part of the inaugural broadcast of series 21 of the Bravo network program. Joseph says the winter weather hasn't caused any disruption in his 2024...

Wisconsin's Rep. Mike Gallagher has announced he'll exit his duties in Washington, D.C. earlier than expected.  That further complicates trying to advance any policy - including the Farm Bill.  Pam Jahnke talks to Pete Kappelman, Manitowoc dairy owner and Senior Vice President of Member and Government Relations for Land O'Lakes about where policy stands and what's at risk. The "Top Chef Effect" is...

Mauston School District has been awarded a Farm-to-School Turnkey Edible Garden Grant where they’re working to educate students about where their food comes from and encourage eating healthy local foods. Jacqui Peyer is serving as the farm to school coordinator and says she has had great feedback so far from students and community members about the impact it’s having. The grant funding supports th...

Producers are gearing up for planting season and securing any last-minute seed, fertilizer, and plant protection products. Timing and success, however, is weather permitting. Crop consultant Eric Birschbach joins us. He owns and operates Ag Site Crop Consulting in Dane County serving farms in Dane, Iowa and Lafayette counties. He says you can't predict exactly what's coming your way in terms of we...

With the wacky winter and spring weather we’ve experienced, we’ve just about seen everything, including golfers in February. Eric Leonard is the golf course superintendent at TPC Wisconsin on the North side of Madison. They’ll be hosting the American Family PGA Tour beginning in 2025. He says public courses did open up for golfers, but TPC did not. They didn’t want to risk damaging the grass. So w...