MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Many rural communities in Wisconsin face significant difficulties, with issues on the family farm to the added burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic and everything in between. The situation becomes even more challenging when these communities lack access to nearby rural hospitals. Marie Barry, the Director of Community and Economic Development for the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative sheds some light...

There are 47 Producer-Led Watershed Protection groups in Wisconsin, and potentially one more on the way. The goal of these farmer-led groups is to improve soil and water quality. The state awards grants to support the on-farm solutions to protect the local watershed, such as growing cover crops. Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable growers are engaged in these programs. WPVGA Executive Director Tamas...

Dairy farmers in northeast Wisconsin have united in making sure that school kids in the Kiel School District have chocolate milk as an option.  Emmy Newberg, the Kiel Agriculture Teacher and FFA advisor has partnered with local dairy farms to supply every student involved with after school circulars chocolate milk through their Chocolate Milk Initiative program. Seven area dairy farms have generou...

The year 2023 proved to be a challenging period for dairy farmers across the nation, marked by a substantial market decline from the high prices of the previous year. High feed costs further added to the difficulties, leading to margins reaching their lowest point since 2009. Despite this, Chuck Nicholson, UW-Madison Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences Professor says there’s hope for 2024. See...

It's official!  The 2026 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days show will focus on No Joke Dairy in Stratford. This family farm may have taken a break in dairying around 2011, but the passion for the industry has brought the family back into the circle again.  Brothers Matt and Sam Redeztke watched as their dad sold the herd of Holsteins they'd been milking  back in 2011.  Sam confesses at that time, it w...

Brenda Boetel, chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics at UW-River Falls and an Extension Agricultural Marketing Specialist, says pork producers saw lower hog prices in the past year, and that will likely continue due to lower demand and steady production. State regulations regarding how pork is raised will also add variability to the hog market in 2024, she says. Photo by Michael P. Kin...

Financial Officer Glenn Wacher with Compeer Finanical . Wacher talks about how the global climate in South America and production is impacting how farmers are planning for 2024. Exports are also driving prices for commodities as South America prepares to start their harvest. Inputs costs are also volitale as we look to spring planting. All of these factors are working together to drive market pric...

The search is on for the 77th Alice in Dairyland.  This marketing position with the Wisconsin Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection is basically the state's agriculture ambassador.  Ashley Hagenow is currently serving as "Alice".  She tells Stephanie Hoff that even though she came from an agriculture background, she's still learning about the state's diversity. Wisconsin's typically kno...

The Wisconsin Agriculture Business Association (WABA) recently concluded its annual convention with over 52 educational breakout sessions. Tom Bressner, association executive director says despite the weather challenges, it was successful. He provides insight into what they’re focusing on for 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 15. That’s the deadline for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. So how do you know which one is best for your farm? Well it may be a case by case scenario but the Renk Agribusiness Institute has some recommendations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There may not be a huge membership, but the Wisconsin Bison Association is impressive with the number of animals they've got here in the state. Pat Ries from Mount Calvary is a board member for WI Bison. Ries says Wisconsin sits in the #6 spot as far as the number of farms raising animals.  Estimates are there's over 5,800 bison in Wisconsin with the number growing. This weekend, 1/26-1/28, the bi...

Brenda Boetel, Extension agricultural marketing specialist and chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics at UW-River Falls, says beef was a bright spot for Wisconsin cattlemen and women in the past year. She's optimistic that the good prices will continue through 2024 based on low supply and steady consumer demand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural livability has become a focus at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison. Thanks to federal grant money, the college is looking at what assets are needed to sustain Wisconsin’s rural communities. One of the voices in the rural livability conversation belongs to Steven Deller. He specializes in rural economic growth and development. He’s also a professor in the Department...

Farm accidents occur year round.  Now the National Farm  Medicine Center in Marshfield is trying to draw attention to that fact and amp up awareness.  Bob Bosold talks to Melissa Ploechlmann from NFMC about their campaign. How are dairy farmers financial contributions to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin being used?  What's the return on their investment?  Charitee Seebecker addresses some of their quest...

Kicking off a Tuesday morning, Jill Welke introduces us to Brad Olson, the new president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Olson says he brings a "look from the outside" after only having been a WFBF member since 2022. He does have tenure as a town and county board member. He's passionate about moving agriculture forward and is preparing for Ag Day at the Capitol, where he anticipates renew...

The craft beer industry faced some headwinds in 2023 due to inflation. While the situation has somewhat stabilized, prices remain higher. The biggest headwinds ahead for 2024 are shifts in consumer habits with many choosing ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages and the trend of dry January. Zak Koga, the Vice-President of the Wisconsin Brewers Guild and owner of Carbon 4 brewing says despite these headwi...

Arguably one of the most competitive jobs in the state of Wisconsin is accepting applications -- the 77th Alice in Dairyland position with the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection. Applications are open through Jan. 31. If you’re passionate about telling the story of Wisconsin agriculture, this is the job for you. Here to tell us about the experience of being Wisconsin’s agricul...

What do you refuel your bodies with after a workout? Maybe water or Gatorade? Well students at the Kiel High School refuel with chocolate milk. Emmy Newberg, the Kiel Agriculture Teacher and FFA advisor has partnered with local dairy farms to supply every student involved with after school extra circulars chocolate milk through their Chocolate Milk Initiative program. She says this project took ab...

At the State Capitol in Madison, the drama continues to unfold over Wisconsin’s legislative maps. Wisconsin Farmers Union is asking the Legislature to set aside their politics and work together. In December, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Wisconsin’s legislative maps are unconstitutional and must be redrawn before the 2024 election. WFU member Hans Breitenmoser is passionate about the issu...

A recent extensive study, conducted collaboratively with over 30 dairy producers during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons, unveiled promising results for Pivot Bio's microbial nitrogen. The research demonstrated that replacing synthetic nitrogen with up to 40 pounds per acre of microbial nitrogen significantly enhanced silage tonnage without compromising quality. Results, presented at the Dairy Bu...

No matter who goes to the Super Bowl, Wisconsin potatoes are always going to be the winner. As we get our menus lined up for the NFL playoff party season, a comforting dish that beats the freezing temps is going to make all the difference. Homegrown spuds fit the bill. 76th Alice in Dairyland Ashley Hagenow joins us in-studio to remind us that Wisconsin potatoes are your game day’s best friend. Yo...

After 30 years of service to Wisconsin corn growers, Dr. Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Specialist, has retired.  Pam Jahnke visits with Lauer about how he came to become a part of WI agriculture, and how he believes corn production's changed. Good turnout for the WI Farmers Union Farm & Rural Lobby Day on Wednesday.  Darren VonRuden, president of WFU, says it takes more than just A conversation...

In a celebration of agriculture and community, the Walworth County Fair became a hub of creativity and connection this past year, fostering a sense of belonging under the theme "There's No Place Like Home." Eileen Walsh Grzenia, fair secretary explains how their fair theme connected people to agriculture "The fair theme brought attendees back to their roots, fostering a deep appreciation for agric...

Farm & Rural Lobby Day was a success, according to Wisconsin Farmers Union. Members braved the cold this week to come to the State Capitol and talk to lawmakers about the policy priorities they established during their annual meeting. President Darin Von Ruden, a dairy farmer out of Westby, says he was happy with the turnout and the excitement in the room. He says lawmakers also look forward t...

The state's largest general farm organizations are tagging health care as a primary issue in this legislative session. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is looking to have its own health care plan similar to several other state farm bureaus. And Wisconsin Farmers Union wants to expand BadgerCare by having Wisconsin join the more than 40 other states who have accepted federal Medicaid expansion fund...