MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

November 11th might seem like just another day on the calendar. However in China, it’s celebrated as single’s day, similar to our valentines day.  It's a day for those not in a relationship to celebrate self-love and indulge in some retail therapy. But what's the connection between this Chinese holiday and Wisconsin, you might wonder? Jackie Fett, executive director of the Ginseng Board of Wiscons...

Agriculture has seen its fair share of ups and downs in recent months. We went on a rollercoaster ride of cheese and butter prices. And we keep seeing challenges across the globe with wars and weather. It's kept everyone on their toes.  Throughout the summer and early fall, the spotlight has been on butterfat, which reached a record high of $3.36 per pound.  This surge in prices was primarily driv...

Interest rates are giving people across the country, especially home buyers, the heebie-jeebies at 8 percent. The fed also indicates it will raise those rates again before the end of the year. Craig Rogan is an ag lender with Nicolet Bank in central Wisconsin. He's also the chair of the Ag Lending Section of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. He says dairy keeps moving forward despite the rising r...

Be aware that a frost can cause prussic acid to build up in sudangrass and sorghum forages, poisoning livestock if fed too soon after the frost event, according to Extension Forage Specialist Yoana Newman. In sandy soils of Wisconsin, livestock producers are becoming more interested in sorghum grasses. These are tropical summer grasses that are adapted to drought conditions due to a waxy cover on...

Extension Conservation Specialist Kevin Erb says while moisture is needed, this late rainfall is only going to delay fieldwork, whether you are harvesting, tilling or spreading manure. He recommends waiting until the fields dry before bringing in your equipment. The dry time is going to depend on rainfall amount, soil type and previous moisture. If you get in the field too early, you run into the...

The dairy market has seen significant shifts over the last two years. These years have brought changes in production, exports, pricing, and other factors that have forced the dairy industry to adapt and innovate. Ben Laine, Senior Dairy Analyst at Terrain says the outlook for 2024 appears promising.  He says, "In 2022 strong export numbers, particularly in cheese, propelled the industry to impress...

While we know nutrition is a cornerstone of well-being for humans and animals, it has a large significance in the life of a cow, from calf to mature adult. Dr. Kevin Dill,  director of dairy technical innovation for Purina, says cattle nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all model. He explains the importance of balancing proper nutrition and farm management to have healthy and productive cows. The st...

When people think of bourbon making, Wisconsin isn't the first state to come to mind. While that may be, J. Henry & Sons has been making a name for themselves over the past several years. They are unique in their process of harvesting their own grain which is then used in the bourbon they make. Founder Joe Henry speaks about how they began and the unique process of harvesting their corn for bo...

People are paying attention to your dairy cows in a way you probably would have never thought. Their burps. The gasses that cows release in burps contain methane. While it adds only a sliver to U.S. methane emissions, Dairy Management Inc. sees an opportunity here to add to agriculture’s sustainability picture. Dr. Juan Tricarico is senior vice president of environmental research and distinguished...

Tagging cattle is such a routine part of livestock operations. But it can also be tiring, especially when your tagger is so old, you can’t remember when you even got it. Many farmers have their trusty tagger ready to go, however it can be hard for women, kids and even older farmers to use. Brandt Kreuscher, Dairy Business Development Manager for Allflex, took farmers' feedback and created an updat...

Sparta Floral & Greenhouses has served Sparta and the surrounding area since the 1860s. It has been owned by the Solberg family since 1945. The “new” greenhouse includes a retail operation and another house with foliage and house plants that are grown year-round. The other two greenhouses on the property are a garden center and a growing operation.  Jessica Mlsna, Focus on Energy Advisor, part...

According to Wisconsin farmer, waterhemp ( Amaranthus tuberculatus ) continues to be the most difficult-to-control and concerning weed species in Wisconsin corn-soybean production systems. This summer UW-Extension staff received several calls regarding lack of complete post-emergence waterhemp control with Callisto and/or dicamba in corn and with Enlist One in soybean. As harvest approaches, farme...

The hunger for data in the world is growing and it’s going to continue to rise in the agriculture industry in the coming years. But having a lot of data doesn’t help unless you know what it actually means and how to use it. Tera Baker, Marketing Manager with Nedap Livestock Management says having a strong platform of identification to capture data about what’s happening with a cow on a daily basis...

Cold weather, snow, and Christmas trees. Not necessarily something we may want to be thinking about right now as we’re just beginning the fall season. However for some, they’re thinking about this all year round. Chris Kirsch, owner of Enchanted Valley Acres in Cross Plains, says he and his team plan and maintain the farm's operations through every season, with specific activities tailored to the...

Every hunting season, we hear the same message – that chronic wasting disease is out there, it’s a problem for Wisconsin’s deer population, and hunters need to be aware. But there’s more urgency this year from the Wisconsin DNR because CWD continues to spread among wild deer in counties that haven’t had a problem before. Jasmine Batten joins us in-studio, the wildlife health section supervisor for...

You may not be ready for the cold snaps to begin, but the Wisconsin propane industry is. The Wisconsin Propane Gas Association says its confident in the amount of supply they have in storage to start the propane season. Executive Director Cheryl Lytle says the supply is on the higher-end of the 3-5 year average. And so far, the weather indicates that agriculture and housing won’t be competing for...

Cow comfort is very important in maximizing the milk production of your herd. A big part of comfort is ensuring proper bedding. Technology has evolved to make cows as comfortable as possible when they are resting. Matt Thiel work for Promat, a company specializing in mattresses specifically tailored to individual cows for maximum comfort. He speaks about how the industry has changed and what comfo...

Since Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, many other states that want to grow their dairy production look to us as an example of how to move forward. Sometimes, there is also the hope that they can attract businesses or individuals to their state to help in that work. One of those states is Kansas. Kansas is already well known as a rich agricultural state and they are looking to grow dairy within th...

Wisconsin is aging,  It's a fact. Providing the care that loved ones need, especially in rural communities often relies on family members.  That can be overwhelming when it's combined with family and a job.  Jim Flaherty, Communications Director of AARP of Wisconsin , talks with Pam Jahnke about locating resources that may help. Flaherty says that AARP has repeatedly introduced legislation to try...

Not many people can say they have attended every World Dairy Expo since its start in 1967, but Tom Morris can. Morris is an Amery, Wisconsin native and is known as the auctioneer and manager of the World Classic Holstein Sale since 1989 and as a 56-year supporter of World Dairy Expo. He was honored as the Industry Person of the Year at this year’s Expo. He credits his success to the support system...

Wisconsin may be a top alfalfa producing state, but that doesn’t mean alfalfa is increasing in acreage. The number of acres used for alfalfa has been steadily declining over the past two decades. Because of it’s importance to the dairy industry, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW Madison is exploring ways to keep alfalfa in the crop rotation. Mark Renz is a professor and extension...

Last year was a record year for dairy exports. This year, it's cooled off a bit due to a few fluctuations in different regions of the globe. But the U.S. Dairy Export Council sees Southeast Asia as a huge opportunity for dairy products and dairy ingredients. USDEC Chairman Alex Peterson tells Mid-West Farm Report about the trips he's been on to Japan and Singapore to send that message. USDEC also...

With some measurable rain in the forecast for much of Wisconsin, growers are really focused on trying to get as much done in their fields as they can.  Cooper Humphries is the District Sales Manager for Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson Counties.  He says the soybeans being harvested are dry, but yields continue to vary. Corn-wise, Humphries says that's variable too.  Moisture levels this week are ran...

​As the harvest gets rolling in Wisconsin, farmers are looking at all their options when it comes to marketing that crop.  Some will store it and wait for better prices.  Others will sell it from the field.  Nate Zimdars talks to Dylan Beaver, Alcivia grain merchandiser, about critical transportation and storage details that can't be missed. Plenty of people came from hours away to attend last wee...

A dairy analyst forum may not sound exciting, but it's offering a wealth of information for dairy producers, processors, policy makers and other analysts.  Pam Jahnke talks to conference organizer, Dr. Chuck Nicholson, about the international gathering that will focus on policy, pricing and performance. World Dairy Expo 2023 is in the books.  Stephanie Hoff grabs a quick recap with expo General Ma...