MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Tucker Brown has taken to social media to connect producer and consumer as an influencer. Jill Welke chats with him to learn more about his ranch, the R.A. Brown Ranch, in Texas. He says he has been able to blend his two passions together with social media and agriculture.

The morning started off wet on this Friday with rainfall reports coming in, Ag meteorologist Stu Muck says that it may not be done for the weekend.

Nothing says ...

Springtime means there's many raindrops falling on our heads, but that's no reason to cry! Instead, it's a great reason to sign up for CoCoRaHS. COCORAHS is the acronym that stands for Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network. It’s a network of volunteers who work together to measure precipitation of all forms across the nation. Richard Janke has been contributing to the network for nearly 5 years from his home in N...

Do you enjoy comparing rainfall totals with your friends at the local coop? Do you have a trick knee that can predict a storm perfectly? The National weather service is interested in hearing about the totals you found in your rain gauge. COCORAHS is the acronym that stands for Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network. It’s a network of volunteers who work together to measure precipitation of all forms across the nat...

Offering tours for over 20 years, Ripp’s Dairy Valley is no stranger to welcoming some of the youngest dairy enthusiasts to the farm. This week, the family is opening their barns to kindergarten classes. On just the first day alone, they’ll have approximately 100 students join them to learn about the life of a dairy cow. I had the opportunity to join the students for lunch, and, after pouring countless glasses of milk, ...

NaCole Johnson, global talent acquisition specialist at URUS, and Stephanie Hoff discuss the shift toward hiring for passion, adaptability, and data fluency. Hands-on internships are preparing Gen Z to tackle global challenges in sustainability and food security. A mission-driven mindset is the new gold standard for the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Stu Muck is forecasting a favorable day of sunshine and mild weather, bu...

As the Wisconsin landscape finally begins to wake up, our local beekeepers are gearing up for a busy season ahead. From hives returning home after a winter down south to the first blooms of spring, there is a lot to track in the world of pollinators. Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt is the Wisconsin State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. She tells Stephanie Hoff that the state offers free statewide inspections and diagnostics to ...

From the northern end of the world's longest barn, Bob Bosold shares tales from his trails out West, including what it takes to manage the mule concession in the Grand Canyon. John Berry says these mules not only bring people to the bottom of the canyon, but also provisions for the restaurant and cabin accommodations -- there's really no other way to get down there!

Although it may be dreary this morning across Wisconsin, th...

It won't be long before Wisconsin roadways will have some large, heavy equipment heading to the fields.  Safety has to be a paramount concern for the farmers operating it, and the drivers sharing the road.  Kiley Allan gets a refresher course on what to remember from WI State Trooper.

Warmer temps are coming to Wisconsin from Canada.  Stu Muck says there's still a chance for rain in the forecast, and for people farth...

Good Friday may have acted as a distraction from policy attention at the governor's mansion.

Wisconsin Senator Pat Testin, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Revenue Committee, says that Good Friday was a bad day for livestock operations in the state.  Governor Tony Evers decided to veto legislation that would have put a freeze on proposed fee increases proposed by the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protecti...

If you're from Wisconsin, chances are good that you've enjoyed a June Dairy celebration somewhere in the course of your life.  Organizing the volunteers and all the educational opportunities is one mission supported by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Mitch Kappelman is a fifth generation dairy operator that sits on DFW's board of directors.  He represents dairy operators in Manitowoc and Calumet counties.  Kappelman remi...

You can travel thousands of miles and see different terrain, but still find yourself in a conversation that feels like "home".  Pam Jahnke shares some comments from Rhys Lougher from Ty Tanglwyst dairy in Wales.  Lougher, his brother and father operate the dairy.  It includes not only providing milk to the general public, but also top end genetics to area dairy farms that may be rebuilding after suffering l...

Hog production in the Nevada desert.  Really?  Yep!  Bob Bosold's on the trail of a hog operation outside of Las Vegas that actually uses some of the food remnants from the hotel/casino industry to feed its hogs.

Rain, rain and more rain for Good Friday and the weekend.  Stu Muck also says the winds will remain strong until at least Sunday.

A lakeside community in Green Lake County decided it wanted to play an a...

The Wisconsin Beef Council sponsored the Best Beef Entrée award at the recent Wisconsin ProStart Invitational, inspiring the next generation of culinary leaders. Brady Weiland, a beef and dairy producer from Columbus, tells us about the experience as a judge, and tasting the creative ways that students prepared decadent beef dishes. He also gives us a firsthand look at why representing the dairy perspective on the state chec...

We are right in the thick of the spring confectionery season, but if you’ve noticed your favorite Easter basket treats look a little different this year, or cost a little more, you're not alone. 

Billy Roberts, Senior Analyst of Food and Beverage with CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division, tells Stephanie Hoff that in a world of volatile cocoa prices, the candy aisle landscape is changing. 

Faced with years of ...

One of Wisconsin's most well known dairy businesses is celebrating a big milestone in 2026. Kiley Allan gets the review of the last 50 years of Cedar Crest Ice Cream with Shannon Simon, their Marketing Manager.

Rain is here and looks to hang around for the next couple of days according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. He also says to watch out for ice during travels.

This April rain provides a good chance to be a volunteer weather obs...

Manure management is a standard part of Wisconsin farm life, but as operations grow and liquid storage systems become more common, the risks associated with manure pits are trending upward. This is according to UW-Madison Professor and Division of Extension Specialist Rebecca Larson.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or a new hand, here are five critical safety tips to keep in mind before you head out to the pits.

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