MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Cheesemakers from around the world will be coming to Wisconsin next week for the World Champion Cheese contest. With over 3 thousand entries, it takes a lot of behind the scenes work to get them into proper categories and maintain food safety. John Umhoeffer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association says getting all those dairy products to Wisconsin is no easy feat, and it gets...

Protect Our Farms is circulating the state Capitol. It aims to bring consistency and peace of mind to Wisconsin’s livestock farmers, says Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Director of Governmental Affairs Jason Mugnaini and Columbia County pork farmer AV Roth. Imagine starting a sheep shearing business without knowing how to shear sheep. It panned out for Briana Bateman who now co-owns Riversong Sh...

Jesse Wagner from In The Woods Sugarbush in Manitowoc says as long as the 60-degree temperatures aren't here to stay, all is well. He is hoping for snow cover to come in March to prolong the sap collection season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most potato producers in Wisconsin would never imagine managing their 2023 crop with temperatures in the 70's come February of 2024.  Stephanie Hoff learns about the precision necessary to keep those potatoes in good condition for consumption from Mike Copas, agronomy manager for Wysocki Family Farms Company. Protect Our Farms is an anthem you're hearing at the state capitol as farm organizations...

People can be fairly uninformed about products they're buying and how those products got to them.  Wisconsin soybean growers are paying attention and trying to share that story.  Tony Mellenthin is a soybean grower in northwest Wisconsin who also sits on the United Soybean Board.  He and his wife are expecting their third child, and they're using soy based products to prepare the nursery.  Bob Bos...

Many dairy farms, when considering the opportunities to expand, choose to build larger buildings, add more cattle, or grow more feed. However one farmer in northern Wisconsin looked at the opportunity to expand his dairy farm in a little bit different way. Joe Tomandl expanded his operation through managed grazing and the use of PaddockTrac. He shares more about how he like to let nature do the wo...

In rural Wisconsin, when you hear propane, you may think about heating homes or drying grain. That’s a huge part of what propane does. However, the Propane Education Research Council is developing some other avenues for this fuel that agriculture is going to want to pay attention to. Mike Newland, the Director of Agricultural Business Development at PERC, says the potential for propane is broad. C...

Last year’s drought has put irrigation on the minds of farmers statewide. Aaron Lauer is a part-owner with Badger State Irrigation working with growers of all commodities on their irrigation systems. He says the weather, the ag economy, and the push for 'sustainability' are driving irrigation sales and innovation. Today's irrigation systems are far more advanced than your average lawn sprinkler. T...

Finding the right legal structure for your farm can be overwhelming. From liability and taxation to overall sustainability. It’s not a one-size fits all approach.  “While sole proprietorships and partnerships offer simplicity, they also come with inherent risks, as personal assets are exposed to business liabilities,” explains Rachel Armstrong, Executive Director of Farm Commons. “Alternatively, c...

Just a few generations ago nearly all heifers spent part of the year on pasture. Today, many farmers choose not to implement grazing. But there’s good reason for farmers to consider going back to their roots. It’s important to understand the distinctions between managed grazing and other types of grazing management. “The shift towards sustainable grazing aligns with increasing focus on soil and wa...

Since the pandemic, people have been looking for all types of travel experiences.  Now, add "Harvest Hosts" to the list of your options. Joel Holland is the CEO of the company that's opening doors for campers to experience things like farms, vineyards, breweries and other agro-tourism spots in Wisconsin and nationwide.  Holland visited with Pam Jahnke about how he found the nucleus that turned int...

It's a staple in our state - the Friday Night Fish Fry.  During Lent, consumption and emphasis on fish accelerates.  Where do fish numbers stand for the sought after yellow perch?  Are we getting the fish on our plate from Wisconsin - or someplace else?  That's what I discussed with Tammie Paoli, DNR Fish Biologist in Peshtigo. Paoli says Wisconsinites have a relationship with yellow perch that st...

Tressa Lacy from Rio is the new president of the WI Cattlemen's Association (WCA), and despite the name - Lacy wants more women to find their voice in the organization.  She says there's at least 10,000 beef producers in Wisconsin but that number's not reflected in their membership. She explains what her goals are for the year ahead to help with that. Originally hailing from Missouri and now calli...

There is always something to research or something to learn more about in the agriculture industry. And Forages are typically grown for animal feeding – but what other services can they provide?  UW-Extension forage specialist, Marta Kohmann provides an update on the research they’re doing, how forages can fit in different production systems, and the advantages of using them to increase production...

Wisconsin Custom Operators have elected John Osterhaus as their new President. Osterhouse owns and operates Silver Streak Ag Services based in Chadwick, Illinois, a custom forage harvesting company serving primarily Northern and Northwestern Illinois. While he may be in Illinois, he has been involved with Wisconsin Custom Operators for nearly a decade and has some big plans for the year ahead. Wis...

Protecting the soil, the water, and the farm for generations to come is something consumers are increasingly interested in. And it’s what Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers are actively doing. One of the programs that helps support these growers is the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Potatoes program. Deana Knuteson is a researcher out of the Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences Department at UW-Madison....

Just because we don't see anything growing now doesn't mean plans aren't being made for when planting season begins.  Charitee Seebecker visits with Tess Romanski, staff member with FairShare CSA in Madison about subscription farming, and why signing up early is key.  Romanski says being a subscription farmer requires a lot of planning - planning that's already underway. WI corn growers and ethano...

Over 200 FFA members flocked to the state capitol on Monday to talk about vocational agriculture education and the organization they represent.  Jill Welke caught up with several members of the Chippewa Falls FFA.  While some were ready to talk issues, others were prepared to share their personal stories on FFA involvement with legislators. Today is FFA Day of Giving.  The financial goal this year...

The Wisconsin Beef Council is working hard to make sure all beef producers, including those dairy operations that market calves, steers and cull cows, know how their checkoff contributions are being used. Grace Link, compliance officer with the Wisconsin Beef Council, says they're circulating a survey to growers statewide asking for their input.  Link says they've found the more producers know abo...

Options to buying a home in rural Wisconsin just got a little easier with Compeer Financials groundbreaking First-Time Homebuyer Program, designed eliminate barriers like down payments and Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) costs. Compeer’s Rural Living Solutions (RLS) team is proud to unveil this innovative financing option, catering specifically to those seeking to purchase a home for the first ti...

Wisconsin Farm Bureau is sounding the alarm over ordinances and ballot initiatives that have been seen in other states finding their way to Wisconsin. The organization says laws like California's Proposition 12 proliferating in other states would have detrimental effects on food supplies, farms, and dinner tables. That's why WFBF is advocating for Protect Our Farms, AB 957 / SB 892. This bill woul...

When you’re thinking about what to make for dinner, do you consider cow tongue, liver or kidneys? Probably not- but these cuts are highly sought after in other countries. Dean Meyer, Past chair of the us meat export federation explains how they’re working to create new market opportunities for Wisconsin agriculture. “At USMEF, we don’t key in one country,” explains Dean Meyer, Past chair of the US...

It’s a reality for some people that the only animal they’ve ever come into contact with is their pet. That was the case for Briana Bateman, who had not had a farm interaction until her 20s. It was her love for sustainable food and cute animals that drove her to start a national sheep shearing business. She tells us about her journey from the suburbs to production agriculture. See omnystudio.com/li...

Air BNB, VRBO, even glamping!  These are all phrases that people have become familiar with as travel options.  Now add a new one - Harvest Host.  Joel Holland is the CEO of Harvest Host, an opportunity to experience different vistas and terrain in your RV.  Holland and his wife spent two years traveling around the lower 48 states trying to see "everything".  Holland said they got bored with the re...

Wisconsin soybean growers are monitoring discussions focused on a possible new TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district for Evansville.  Bob Bosold talks to Jordan Lamb from the Welch Group, about why the TIF is being requested and what a new soybean processing plant would mean to state farmers. It's National FFA Week and Wisconsin members will be celebrating and informing.  Mary Schreiber, presiden...