MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Dr. Mark Markel has announced that effective summer of 2024, he will be stepping down as Dean of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. Markel has held the position for 11 years.  He's been on a faculty member within the school for 33 years.  Markel visits with Pam Jahnke about his decision, and a new opportunity he'll be undertaking with the AO Foundation. Currently the UW School of Veterinary Med...

Jill Welke speaks with Andrew Brandt from the U.S. Grains Council about world demand and grain movement.  U.S. Grains Council coordinates outreach efforts to users in 10 different locations around the world.  He explains their approach to Jill. Wisconsin farmers are always trying new practices when it comes to nutrient management.  Dan Truttmann is a Green County dairy producer that's been compost...

It's the third year Wisconsin has put the spotlight on Agriculture Tourism, and the diversity building in the state.  Sheila Everhart is the executive director of WATA (WI Ag Tourism Association).  The official dates for WI Ag Tourism Week is Sept. 21-Oct. 2. Everhart tells Pam Jahnke that nationally, the agricultural segment of the tourism industry tripled from $202 million in 2002 to $949 millio...

Farm transition planning is a very important conversation that must eventually take place for farm families. Transitioning farms is important to ensuring that we can continue to have farmers in agriculture here in Wisconsin. Mark Schmitz works for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as a Financial Consultant and Farm Transition Specialist. His specialty is working with far...

Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, recently took over the chair of the Wisconsin Ag Export Council.  This group is focused on leveraging state funded grants to increase Wisconsin's agribusiness on the global scene. Vincent tells Pam Jahnke that the energy this effort has generated in just the past 15 months is incredible.  He explains how state grants have allowed trade missions to v...

UW Sheep Unit Research Program Manager Todd Taylor has a smile on his face discussing plans for this coming year. He recently dispersed a group of ewes to replenish the herd with new genetics after an on-going research project was completed. World Dairy Expo is coming, and while it's an economic driver for Dane County and the state of Wisconsin, it's also a reunion.  Stephanie Hoff visits with Bri...

Ireland is known for its sheep and wool industries, with good reason.  Bob Bosold talks with Jamesy McCloy, Irish shepherd, about his flock, his stock dogs and the amazing pasture that keeps Ireland green. This is National Farm Safety and Health week. Charitee Seebecker visited with Mary Bauer from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) about why farms and agribusinesses need to focu...

It’s National Farm Safety and Health Week. There are a lot of different aspects included when it comes to safety. Mary Bauer, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist, notes one of the trends they’re seeing when it comes to farm safety is actually based on cultural differences and language barriers.  “OSHA has noted a trend in agriculture where more workers are being brought in from outside, particul...

The transportation industry has been struggling to find drivers for years. This lack of drivers is one of the main reasons that supply chain issues are continuing. Conversations on how to change this have included increasing pay and reevaluating how those interested in driving can earn their Commercial Drivers License, or CDL.  Nick Lowe shares how the education and certification process has chang...

"Come by!" "Lie down!" "That'll do!" are some of the phrases you'll hear during a stock dog trial. Lori Perry and her dog Ivy compete throughout the U.S. in stock dog trials as well as compete at the national finals. However it’s not all fun and games. It takes a lot of patience to train a stock dog.  “We start training our dogs at around six months and are ready to compete at around age two or th...

Forage availability – it's probably the biggest conversation happening between dairy nutritionist Henry Holdorf and the dairy farmers he works with. Holdorf is with Purina Animal Nutrition covering a good amount of terrain in Wisconsin. His team covers the northwest, southwest and southeast portions of the state. He reminds us of the nutritional considerations to make if you’re harvesting corn sil...

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau will be launching their 1st Annual Campaign School on October 11th and 12th. This training is designed for anyone interested in running for local and state office on campaign basics with an agricultural/rural focus. Farm Bureau's Executive Director of Governmental Relations Jason Mugniaini speaks about what the Campaign School will offer and his hopes that this will turn...

Sustainability – it’s a big word in agriculture, in food, in advertising, you name it. But depending on who you ask, it has a different definition. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, is presenting the Sustainable Leadership Seminar Series. The series of five seminars will explore leadership and sustainability in environmental, social and econ...

Harvest season is starting in Wisconsin, which means that there will be lots of moving equipment on roadways across the state. It's important to be mindful of our farmers working long hours in the field and how we can stay safe on roads and at railways. Wisconsin's agricultural ambassador, Alice in Dairyland, is traveling across the state to speak about the importance of staying safe. Ashley Hagen...

Elevated input costs remain a top concern for agriculture producers, because it tightens up profit margins. One of the key input costs during fall harvest -- the price of fuel. Patrick De Hann is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a technology company that tracks prices at gas stations across the country. He says the price of diesel is a gloomy forecast – prices see upward pressure as tem...

There's a new face at the WI Farm Bureau Federation's headquarters in Madison.  Brad Uken has joined the staff as the new chief administrative officer.  Uken's no stranger to Farm Bureau though, as Stephanie Hoff found out in her first conversation with the transplant from Illinois. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group speaks with Pam Jahnke about a big inventory reduction sale coming up for a John...

There are some skilled professionals that agriculture depends on who are thinning in population.  One such group - sheep/goat shearers.  Joe Huber has been shearing sheep and goats for years.  He visits with Nate Zimdars about the state of the industry currently, and what he sees for the near future. U.S. Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack, made a stop in Wisconsin yesterday to celebrate the first annivers...

Climate Smart. Have you heard of it? It's is a key theme for this administration's U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the money for climate smart is starting to roll in. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Wisconsin today to celebrate one year of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. These are 141 projects that got $3 billion in funding. Almost all of those projects are sta...

Tom Olson of Fevolden Farm Alpacas in Cottage Grove can be found at most festivals featuring animal fibers. He and his family raise alpacas for fiber and turn those fibers into products for crafts or fashion. They have been in the business for over 20 years and work with different co-ops and suppliers to keep up with demand. He says alpaca fiber is a sought out alternative to sheep's wool because...

Hearings are currently taking place in Carmel, Indiana regarding revisions to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Revisions will affect how milk and other dairy products are priced. These hearings have taken place for several week and will continue into October. Jeff Lyon, the General Manager of Farm First Dairy Cooperative was in Caramel testifying in front of the committee. He shares what he’s se...

Whether or not to harvest corn for grain or silage is the most common question reaching Jenny Brown's desk this time of year. Brown is a multi-peril specialist with Rural Mutual Insurance working with farmers on acres across Wisconsin. She says it's still a bit early, but she expects claims to be up this year due to drought and storm damage. She also anticipates more growers will sign up for crop...

Firefighters and EMS are often trained to handle a wide range of emergencies, including high frequency, low risk incidents such as roadside collisions and carbon monoxide alarms. However, farming emergencies pose a unique set of challenges due to their low frequency and high risk nature, which can be unpredictable and hazardous for both the victim and emergency responders. To better prepare for th...

UW Sheep Unit Research Program Manager Todd Taylor has a smile on his face discussing plans for this coming year. He recently dispersed a group of ewes to replenish the herd with new genetics after an on-going research project was completed. Taylor is welcoming new and ongoing research projects into the barn and hopes to encourage more student engagement.  “The sheep unit is designed to support re...

The harvest is approaching quickly and safety must be key.  Jill Welke visits with Laura Siegal, Health Communications Officer with AgriSafe Network about resources they make available to help make the harvest safe. Multiple generations are excited to be processing and preserving all the bounty from their gardens, but beware of food poisoning possibilities.  Stephanie Hoff catches up with Heather...

Dairying in Ireland is definitely different that what we have in Wisconsin.  Bob Bosold finds out about the market, weather and consumer trends from Lorcan McCabe, northern Ireland producer. WI sheep producers are seeing an uptick on activity for their animals.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Eric Meudt, vice president of WI Sheep Breeders Cooperative, about growth the industry's experiencing especia...