MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Technology is often something talked about in production agriculture, but you might be surprised at what levels. Karen St. Germain is the Director of Earth Science at NASA.  She shares with Ben Jarboe the work they do to support US farmers and says they are looking for more farmers to work with to further their research.

Smoke alert for Wisconsin!  Stu Muck says there's an air quality advisory in effect for the ent...

Right now Wisconsin dairy operators are enjoying a pretty healthy milk check.  Will that be the case later this year?  Bob Bosold discusses the dairy price outlook with Leonard Polzin,  Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist at UW-River Falls.

Hot weather on the way today with some measurable rain.  That's the outlook from Stu Muck.

A new food company is on its way to Jefferson County.  Ben Jarboe fin...

Ants in the muffins meant they had to ask the sheriff to deliver all the donuts he could find! Bob and Nancy Faith recall memories from their experience hosting the first-ever Green County Breakfast on the Farm 45 years ago. They started a few traditions as trailblazers, which are unique to the Green County breakfast: coffee cake instead of pancakes, and strawberries served on the ice cream.

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Mike Brown serves as the vice president for dairy market intelligence at T. C. Jacoby & Company, Inc. He's an expert on milk pricing policy who has worked for both farmer-owned cooperatives and proprietary businesses for nearly four decades. Throughout his career, he has been a big proponent of university research. Mike says university research has provided him with the facts and tools to be creative and try new things.

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UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean Glenda Gillaspy talks to Mid-West Farm Report about the work stoppages and funding freezes going on in research within CALS. She says she's looking for guidance on why certain research gets flagged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In other news, the college is expecting its largest class in the fall after introducing new majors to better meet the needs of students purs...

Something as simple as the name of a food can be a trade barrier for U.S. dairy. Shawna Morris is the executive vice president for trade policy and global affairs for the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. She says there are quite a few unfair trade policies that the European Union forces on the United States. Geographical Indications are an example -- GIs are a protective label for products with ...

The soybean industry has been working diligently to make sure all the soybeans grown in the U.S. have a place to go and the united soybean board has been a large part of this. Mary Stewart works with the Health and Nutrition demand side of the United Soybean Board to gives a look into the health benefits soybeans have as well as the work USB is doing to find new markets for these soybeans. She says that they feel continuing to find...

The soybean industry has been working diligently to make sure all the soybeans grown in the U.S. have a place to go and the united soybean board has been a large part of this. Pat Giberson a Director with the United Soybean Board shares some unique things that soybeans are a part of as well as their work to make the Mississippi River deeper to allow for larger loads. He says soybeans are in nearly everything around us without many ...

John Deere enthusiasts and tractor lovers from around the globe are going to be headed to Washington County in June.  Co-chair Dan Guden of Athens, WI invites you to the Classic Green Reunion June 12-14 at the Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center in West Bend. This family-friendly event will feature over 1,000 tractors, implements, engines, toys, and memorabilia exhibits. Admission will include access to the exh...

So far 19 agriculture education programs in Wisconsin are planning for teacher changes next school year.  That's the word from Sally Ladsten, Education Counselor with the Department of Public Instruction.  She oversees agriculture, food and natural resource programs and acts as the Wisconsin State FFA Advisor.  She calls this time of year "crazy" in a conversation with Pam Jahnke.  Last year, Wisconsin experienc...

The U.S. dairy industry took a milestone step to further collaborations with Indonesia. Shawna Morris is the executive vice president for trade policy and global affairs for the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. These are two of several organizations that signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia that could result in more dairy exports for U.S. producers. 

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B. Kurt Dairy, a first-generation dairy farm passionate about educating people about food and farming, is hosting the Iowa County Dairy Breakfast. Enjoy a locally-sourced breakfast from 6:30-10:30 a.m. that includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. After breakfast, check out the kids' area, petting zoo, live music, a farm tour, and more. No parking on the farm - park at Vortex and take a short bus ride ...

The school year is coming to a close and many students are graduating. A big question for them is where are the jobs? Tammy Jensen the President of agriCAREERS gives some insight and tips for these recent graduates. She says currently the service sector in agriculture is in high demand for workers. Jensen believes the reason for the shortage is that people feel the jobs are not glamorous and would rather be in a sales role. She sug...

The fifth annual Wisconsin Arts & Peony Festival will be here June 13-15 in Beaver Dam, and this year, it’s attracting an international audience. Today, we’re catching up with Michelle Ovans of Ovans Peony Farm in Beaver Dam - the state’s largest fresh-cut peony farm. Michelle cares for more than 1,600 peony plants representing about 100 varieties. Her farm is on display during the upcoming festival. And while...

Wisconsin planting season is working towards the end, and it is about time to focus on the growing season. Kurt Lahr a regional products specialist with CHS shares how the state is looking early on. He also shares some considerations to think about as we move through the summer. He says some farmers have not been able to put on their pre-emergent herbicides so they will need to reconfigure their spraying for the season. 

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Farming is a risky job, but you can reduce risk with careful handling of chemicals. Danger is going to depend on how harmful the pesticide, etc. is and how long you’re exposed to it. The effects of farm chemicals can happen within minutes or over years. Limit the risk with common-sense solutions. Jordan Kampa, interim program manager with the pesticide applicator training program with the UW-Madison Division of Extension...

New World Screwworm is making headlines and also making U.S. beef producers very nervous.  With budget cuts everywhere in the federal budget, they're worried about what inspection hole might be vulnerable to the pest getting into the U.S.  Jill Welke uncovers what we don't know about the pest and how to eradicate it with Sigrid Johannes from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Hit and miss showers are...

Beginning June 1, dairy producers and processors will see noticeable changes to the way milk is priced.  After years of discussion and debate, finally the Federal Milk Marketing Orders have seen some revision.  In Wisconsin, that could mean some lower prices initially.  Leonard Polzin, UW-Extension Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist, has done all the modeling for the new orders.  He says everything con...