MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

We’re exploring a breakthrough changing the way farmers think about phosphorus. RhizoSorb® by Phospholutions is raising the bar for phosphorus efficiency, helping growers maintain or even increase yields while cutting applied phosphate by up to 50 percent. Byron Bredael, head of product, has the details, including how growers can save $2 to $3 per acre by improving nutrient utilization and reducing phosphorus loss to...

In the United States, 80 percent of banks have agriculture in their portfolio. And these banks were successful in getting a bill through Congress to give them some tax relief in order to lower costs for their rural customers. Ed Elfmann is the senior vice president of agriculture and rural banking policy for the American Bankers Association. He tells us about how the ACRE Act made it to the finish line. This is a 25 percent ta...

’Tis the season for charitable giving! It's the time of year when individuals and organizations often open their pocketbooks to support causes they care about. One option is Wisconsin 4-H. Jessica Jens, Wisconsin 4-H State Program Leader, reminds us that the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has recently gone through some changes. Still, she reassures donors that their ability to give, and the impact of their gifts, remains the same i...

You’ve heard us talk about labeling rules for dairy and meat, but what about honey? Today, Stephanie Hoff is  diving into how policy decisions impact the beekeeping industry, both here in Wisconsin and across the country. Joining us is James Hillemeyer, vice president of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association and co-owner of LB Works out of Plover, a beekeeping operation that travels out of state for pollination servi...

The holiday season is approaching. And for some Midwesterners, it means lefse is on the table. If you’re not familiar with lefse, it’s a soft, Norwegian flatbread, and it’s a cherished staple during holidays and celebrations. But it doesn’t come easy – there’s an art to the generations-old tradition. One that Countryside Lefse in Blair, Wisconsin, knows well. We’re visiting with owner and l...

According to this year's Marketbasket survey, the cost of our Thanksgiving meal is down 5% from last year. Faith Parum is an Economist with American Farm Bureau Federation. She says that this is the 3rd consecutive year there has been a decline after a record high in 2022. She notes that the big story in this year's survey is the price of frozen turkey. It's helping lower pressure of higher prices in other foods that find themselve...

Mallory Stowe is the artist of the School of Veterinary Medicine Holiday Card. The art, entitled Dashing Through The Snow, features a child and a dog taking a twilight sled ride down a snowy hill. Mallory says the art depicts the comforting relationship between kids and their dogs. The cards help give back to the community and can be ordered through December 12. Mallory tells us how she got the job and created the...

It’s time to apply for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This gives financial assistance to eligible producers for revenue, quality, or production losses to crops, trees, bushes, or vines from 2023 and 2024 disaster events. It has two stages. Applications for Stage 2 are open now. We’re talking about it today with Richard Fordyce, the Under Secretary for Farm Production...

After a mild weekend temperatures look to drop again according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

Thanksgiving is just about here and it has many wondering how light it will leave their wallets. Kiley Allan talks with Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau on what they found in their annual market basket survey.

2025 has been an all around unique year within the agriculture industry whether it be due to policy or weathe...

The weekend is looking to be a mild one with temperatures reaching the 50's in the state. This is according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

Wisconsin harvest is wrapped up and fared a little worse than in previous years. Ben Jarboe talks with Grant Holley, the Executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, to see what the numbers look like. Don't worry though, Wisconsin is still tops in production.

With the ...

This weekend looks to be one of the last good weekends to get outside and do some work. This is according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

The hemp industry is facing some turmoil as the recent bill passed to reopen the government has language that looks to gut the industry. Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke talks with Phillip Scott, the president and founder of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers & Manufacturers Association, to see what this ...

Freezing fog covers the state, but sunshine should be coming by the end of the week according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

Winter conference season is here and one of the first to start is the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. Bob Bosold talks with Mick Homb the General Manger of the cooperative to see how their first few meetings have gone. 

MAHA is a hot topic in the country today, and it may leave many producers wondering where...

From the pastures of Waupaca County to leadership tables across Wisconsin, Rachel Bouressa wears many hats. She’s a beef farmer, an agriculture advocate, and a conservation coach. On her family’s farm near Royalton, she practices rotational grazing and works to help other farmers overcome the challenges of starting their own conservation journey. She tells Stephanie Hoff about what it takes to make conservation work for...

Now that farm fields have been harvested it's time for snowmobilers to get active.  Not on their machine, but in posting the trails that riders will follow when the snow arrives.  In Wisconsin, that's a big job!  Ben Jarboe finds out about the human workforce that has to mobilize from Lori Heideman, president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs. She explains how they prepare the nearl...

It's been an interesting season for Mississippi barge captain, Jimmy "JRock" Cheatham.  He is the pilot captain for Hines Furlong Line, Inc.  His  barge is 145 feet long, 48 feet tall and 45 feet wide.  Add to that the 6000 horsepower engines and crew - and that's a lot of responsibility!  He visits with Kiley Allan about the navigational challenges he saw this year, and what expects to see next spring...

Meet Nick Thill, a beekeeper from West Bend, who’s taken on one of the state’s most unexpected challenges: bears. As chairman of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Bear Committee, Thill helps lead the charge on a growing issue. The committee was formed five years ago after black bears started causing serious trouble for Wisconsin beekeepers. Today, Thill is focused on protecting beekeepers’ liveliho...

Food safety is important all year long, but on Thanksgiving it's common to be preparing dishes that don't make the normal meal rotation frequently. Heather Quakenboss, the Extension Human Development and Relationships Educator in La Crosse County, walks us through the details. From giving yourself enough time to prepare to cooking your turkey to the proper temperature, Heather has the information we need to plan for a safe and deli...