MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Finding a way to motivate busy farmer growers to attend events is a challenge.  It's a challenge being faced by almost every avenue of Wisconsin agriculture.  Associations, events, educational venues - they all struggle to get their target audience - farmers - to show up!

Pam Jahnke visits with Whitney Prestby about how some conservation staff in Wisconsin are taking a different approach to reaching their audience.

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Fairs.com was founded in 2023 in Columbus, OH by people who have actually worked a fair gate — and got tired of watching fairs get squeezed by generic ticketing platforms. That simple motivation has morphed into a business model that's helping fairs of all sizes across the United States - including here in Wisconsin.

Pam Jahnke visits with Fairs.com founder/CEO, Scott Hillyer about how they got started, and where they hope to...

The U.S. is seeing a drastic shift in milk composition as consumer demand for protein rises dramatically. Cory Geiger, a Dairy Economist with CoBank, sits down with Larry Lee. They discuss the "double-edged sword" producers face in the quest for more protein.

Stu Muck brings our Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update and says that the Labor Day weekend will be highlighted by some high September temperatures.

Let's talk technol...

The Wisconsin potato harvest has been underway for a few weeks.  How does it look?  Kiley Allan gets a grower perspective from Heidi Alsum-Randall, Chief Operating Officer at Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland.  Alsum-Randall says the company is having a high-quality potato harvest, utilizing integrated pest management and new precision drones to scout fields and target pesticide applications only where needed. S...

Generosity of beef producers and the consumers that love it is apparent in Wisconsin!  The Wisconsin Beef Council has just concluded its first-ever "United in Beef" t-shirt campaign.  According to Kaitlyn Kessler, Director of Communications & Outreach for the Wisconsin Beef Council, they're getting ready to send high quality beef snack sticks to multiple Boys and Girls Club locations across the state. That's thanks in...

The pause button has been pressed on tariffs keeping foreign beef from entering the U.S. marketplace.  The window of opportunity is scheduled for 90 days, but it's 90 days of anxiety for beef producers and consumers.  Teri Barr talks with Darren VonRuden, president of the WI Farmers Union about the subject.  American beef producers worry this could upset the financial apple cart they're working with to try and rebuil...

I'm guessing when you think of biofuels you don't think of boats.  Well that could be changing!  Jill Welke found out how biofuels are making its way into boats through marine ethanol.  Adrian Tolson, Chair of the International Bunker Industry Association and owner of 2050 Marine energy is optimistic about ethanol use in ships. Tolson says maritime decarbonisation and exploring the potential role of ethanol as a...

With fertilizer costs as high as they are, it's important for the growers using those inputs to know exactly what they do. Bob Bosold learns a little something about nitrogen from Dr. Steven Hall.  Hall is the lab’s Principal Investigator and is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at UW-Madison. He explains to Bob Bosold the principals of nitrogen fer...

Farmers are more than a little frustrated that they still don't have a farm bill.  Farm Bill 2.0 still has signs of life according to Mike Stranz, VP of Policy for the National Farmers Union (and a WI native).  Stranz says it's going to be a big challenge to try and maneuver through the obstacles that have stalled this bill, not the least of which is allocation of SNAP - supplemental nutrition assistance program.

B...

300,000 tons of imported ground beef will enter the U.S. during the next 90-days, starting September 1. But, Wisconsin farmers have questions ranging from food safety -- to what happens after the temporary plan ends. Teri Barr talks with Vernon County farmer Darin Von Ruden to learn why there are concerns about the beef following recent health issues from other imported foods, and if the inspection process will really work.  &...

What started as a farm where his father raised beef and pigs has become a 130-cow dairy powered by robotic milking technology, and a vision for the next generation.

Jason Baroun expanded the operation after taking over his family's farm, purchasing the neighboring dairy, bringing the property together. Today, Baroun handles much of the farm’s fieldwork and equipment work while continuing the family tradition of keeping the op...

A Washington County farm has survived wars, the Great Depression and generations of change — all while staying in the same family for more than a century. 

The Bohn family farm near West Bend has a history dating back to 1914, when George “Ben” and Veronica Bohn purchased an 80-acre farm on the corner of Highway P and Rusco Road. The farm transitioned over the years, from horses to tractors, added electricity...

The Woock family has adapted to changing times while keeping its farm in the family for more than 150 years. Every generation has helped carry the tradition forward -- from farming with horses and milking cows by hand to using self-steering tractors and raising beef cattle.

Today, four generations of the family are still part of Woock Acres, including the grandfather, his son, grandson, and now a newborn great-granddaughter. This m...