MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Joining us today is Dr. Jill Soderstrom, a dairy young animal solutions specialist with Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Solutions. Dr. Soderstrom has a passion for improving animal well-being and performance by supporting animal health and optimizing the gut microbiome. She’s especially interested in calves because those early-life stages provide an important opportunity to influence the future health and performance of the dairy cow. In today’s conversation, we’ll take a closer look at the calf’s gut microbiome, why it’s so important to early-life health and how milk replacer and management practices can influence gut health. We’ll also discuss practical steps producers can take to support a healthy microbiome and give their calves the best possible start.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corn silage harvest will likely begin this week around Wisconsin. The dry weather in some areas means yields are projected to be down, and the harvest window moved up. That's what Ronald Lubeck with General Farm Supply in Marshfield is noticing. He tells Larry Lee that yields are changing every few miles. That means it'll take until the harvest is all wrapped up to get an actual average on yields.Wet weather will make its way across some of the drier areas of Wisconsin today. Stu Muck says temperatures will stay moderate and that rain will hang around until later this week.There are plenty of tools available to help people manage the tax implications of an auction. Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group explains how they help in that area. Paid for by Steffes Group.Burrata is an Italian style cheese that's getting a Wisconsin spin thanks to Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo. Teri Barr learns about the challenges this variety brings from Deb Crave, one of the farmstead operators.Today with more consumers looking to bridge the food retail gap by knowing their farmers, a new problem's emerged. Once they find a farmer and purchase the goods - who's going to process them? That's a big issue for people looking to buy meat locally. Kiley Allan finds out about "meat processing deserts" in the state. Kelly Maynard, Cooperative Development Specialist for UW Center for Cooperative says it started during the pandemic, and continues as an issue today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashley VandenBush didn’t grow up on a farm. But she’s helping her Green Bay students discover where their food comes from through cows, chickens, cheese, and hands-on agriculture lessons. The third grade teacher tells Teri Barr how it started with her own interest in learning more about Wisconsin agriculture. And as she welcomes a new group of students to school, you may be surprised to find out why they are excited about learning more, too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 take the service. Hillyer and his team were special guests at the 2026 WI Fair Association's Annual Convention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agronomist Ronald Lubeck shares his field observations about this year's corn crop with Mid-West Farm Report's Larry Lee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 technology on a Friday! Tyler Walker of Walker Cranberry Company is a 6th generation cranberry grower and in the 5th year of his transition of using drones on his operation. From precision application to inspecting irrigation and monitoring frost protection, he has seen increased efficiency and yield! Teri Barr gives us a 60 second recap of the questions consumers and farmers are asking about imported beef. 150 years of a family farm is certainly something to celebrate! Jason Baroun tells us the story of his family's Manitowoc County Sesquicentennial Farm. What began as a beef & swine operation has converted to a 130-cow dairy. They utilize robotic milking technology. While the expansion and success of the farm is critical to Jason, his pride and hopes for the next generation take an even greater importance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putting together a menu of school lunches for students to enjoy isn't as simple as choosing your favorite dishes. Caitlin Harrison is the Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District. She says it's a complex dance of balancing nutritional guidelines, student preferences, and school budgets. She tells Kiley Allan where she begins the process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The growers of America's favorite vegetable are back in the field for harvest. Heidi Alsum-Randall joins us, she's the Chief Operating Officer at Alsum Farms & Produce. She tells Kiley Allan what this year's harvest has had in store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. She says French fries remain the top potato product in the U.S. (where potatoes have been named the favorite vegetable for nine straight years), with frozen processing projected to grow 1% annually as processors experiment with new cuts and scrap utilization. The global market is highly competitive and costly, though European potato production saw significant drops last year, including double-digit declines in countries like Germany, France, and Poland. While the Russet Burbank remains the leading variety for fries, processors are adopting new potato varieties that offer higher bruise resistance and ideal gravity/sugar levels.Consumer perception of potato healthiness is improving nationwide, supported by industry outreach highlighting potatoes as rich sources of vitamin C and fiber.There is rain in the forecast, but so far it has manifested itself on radar. Stu Muck explains what has to happen for that rain to really materialize, and where.Walk into most elementary school classrooms and you're likely to see a white board, staplers, erasers - stuff like that. Walk into a third grade classroom in Green Bay and you'll see chickens! Not just for a day - but everyday! They're the teaching tool for Ashley VandenBush. She teaches third grade at Father Allouez Catholic School in Green Bay. VandenBush did not grow up on a farm, but as a student teacher, she realized very little is taught about Wisconsin agriculture. She educated herself about agriculture so she could share what she learned with her third graders. Early on, she was dismayed when asking the kids about where there food comes from, which prompted her to add lessons in agriculture to her curriculum each year. This led to her class not only adopting a cow, but more recently they adopted chickens! The chickens are IN THE CLASSROOM, so the kids have to care for them. And during the Brown County Fair in August, several of her students took the chickens to the fair. Teri Barr takes us on this unique classroom tour.Wisconsin ag lenders are keeping an eye on farms bottom line. Rose Oswald Poels, President and CEO of the WI Bankers Association says right now there's no cause for alarm, but the state's crop farmers are facing some really depressed prices.Normally when it comes to gauging cheese prices, the Wisconsin markets eyes look to Europe. Katie Burgess, dairy analyst with EverAg tells Pam Jahnke that normally the EU would dictate the direction of global cheese prices. However, lately New Zealand's been stealing the spotlight with lower cheese prices while the EU's go up. Burgess says that's a concern since a lot of WI/US cheese has found solid markets in Australia. Given the proximity New Zealand is to that country/continent - it bears monitoring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lonnie Holthaus from MilkHaus Dairy discusses his family's journey into the A2 cheese market and the financial advice they received from the Food Finance Institute with Larry Lee from the Mid-West Farm Report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 large part to generous supporters that purchased "United by Beef" t-shirts! The shirts weave the story of the 250th birthday of the United States with imagery connecting beef producers. Also in studio, Andy Gussert, State Director of the WI Boys and Girls Club. Gussert explains why this partnership is meaningful. He notes that club locations stretch beyond the urban centers of Wisconsin. He says this is not just an urban audience. Gussert notes that they're serving over 138,500 youth, and two-two thirds are outside Milwaukee & Madison. Most clubs do gardening and hydroponics. Listen in as they discuss the synergy between the two groups bringing high quality beef snacks to those young, hungry minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 rebuild the domestic herd. At the same time, consumers want to know where this beef's coming from, how it was grown and inspected, and where it's going to be used in the U.S. food system. Some things we know. Many things we dont'. Michelle Rameriz-White, Government Relations Director at WFU says she hasn't found out if this will actually help consumers. A little rain moving in this morning to start what will be a scorching hot day. Stu Muck explains that the heat will stick around, and so may the chance of rain. Watch for thunderstorms. While farmer growers may shake their fist at weeds, the conversations those weeds inspire help direct weed research in WI. Pam Jahnke finds out that Dr. Rodrigo Werle, UW-Madison Extension finds research inspiration from those spirited conversations. He says this is the time of the year he counts on WI farmers to share their challenges and what they're seeing with remaining weed pressures. It may turn into the research projects he focuses on next year. Now that the EPA has spoken, the renewable fuel industry is reacting. Geoff Cooper, the president and CEO of The Renewable Fuels Association, says it's a missed opportunity - one that should infuriate grain growers in the U.S. Right now Wisconsin is awash with fresh produce. From backyard gardens to farm fields, there's a lot of opportunity to capture summer flavors that can stretch through the winter and longer - if processed properly. Kiley Allan finds out there's some new partnerships to help disseminate the information home canners are looking for. Heather Quakenboss, UW-Madison Extension Human Development & Relationships Educator says UW Extension is partnering with Iowa State Extension. The goal is to provide a resource people can call with any preservation questions they have. The number is 1-866-540-4636.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economist Corey Geiger discusses the imbalance between protein and butterfat, which is causing challenges for dairy processors as consumer protein demand rises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 an alternative marine fuel is an exciting proposition. He also says there are steps necessary to make it happen. Those steps needed involve fuel producers, technology providers, shipowners, ports, and policymakers. Hot and sticky describes the way we begin September. Stu Muck also explains where the rainfall in the forecast is likely land.When a farm or family experience an auction, or a land sale, they're faced with some tax questions. How can they manage this sudden surge in income? Can they use it to build for the future? Ashly Huhn from the Steffes Group explains the tools they make available to help that transition happen. Paid for by Steffes Group. Three Wisconsin Jersey operators captured national attention at the American Jersey Convention in Springfield, MO. Pam Jahnke congratulates Jazzy Jersey's in Lodi, Glacier Ridge Dairy in Milton and All-Lynn Jersey in Reedsburg. So the markets have plenty of topics for conversation today! The latest crop progress report is out getting reaction. EPA has just ruled that some small and mid-sized refiners are getting a pass on biofuels blends. What's that doing to trade. Plus the beef import issue hits front and center today. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tackles them all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 fertilizer and why Wisconsin farmers sometimes find it difficult to keep in place.The heat returns to Wisconsin as we roll into September. It also brings with it some rain events. Stu Muck gets us started with the week outlook.There's plenty of questions circling the issue of imported beef bound for Wisconsin. Producers are worried it will upset their already struggling "rebuild" of the U.S. beef industry. Consumers have questions about the quality of this beef coming in and where it will end up. Teri Barr brings it all together in a conversation with Darren VonRuden, President of the WI Farmers Union.While consumers wonder about the beef at the grocery store, parents wonder if beef will be offered at the school lunch program. Constraints on what food can be offered and at what price point are just a few of the challenges that Caitlin Harrison sees. She's the director of food and nutrition services at Elmbrook School District west of Milwaukee. She says given the federal reimbursement levels they're facing, they have about $1-2 per tray to actually spend on food. Kiley Allen gets more details on what ends up on those trays and why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Beautiful weather for whatever you want to do this weekend. Stu Muck says you should prepare for a little increase in heat beginning next week.Cleaning out the combine before you move to the next field is important for weed control next year. Dan Smith, UW-Madison Extension Outreach Specialist tells Pam Jahnke that taking 30 minutes to blow out weed seeds before you move to the next field is a big deal. Smith says it's also worth money to ask your custom operator to do the same before they come in, or move on.We continue to recognize our century farm families. Today, sharing the Bohn family story. Their farm in southeast WI had an interesting twist according to Lynn Bohn, one of the great grand daughters. From family stories, it was told that they found an 80-acre farm on the south side of West Bend, but her great grandma was hesitant to acquire it. From additional research, they found that the farm had been owned by Carl and Katherine Schloemer but had been passed on to their son, Edward. He; his brother, Louis; and their sister, Marie or Mary, as she was also known, lived on the farm when, on December 31, 1913, Marie died from tuberculosis, allegedly going away for treatment but ultimately dying at home. On January 30, 1914, the farm was sold to Frank Day, a real estate salesman who bought and sold many properties in Washington County. The Bohn family became interested in the property on the corner of Hwy. P and Rusco Road. However, Great Grandma Bohn did not want the property purchased given TB had been in the house. At that time, people thought they could catch TB from a house that had a person sick with TB inside the house. Just an example of how business decisions could be influenced years ago. Century and sesquicentennial farm stories are shared courtesy of Compeer Financial.Wisconsin is expected to harvest between 65-68,000 acres of potatoes and it has already started. Kiley Allan gets an update from Heidi Alsum-Randall, CFO of Alsum Farms in Freisland. She says weather is cooperating right now. All the potatoes they're harvesting are being immediately washed and bagged for the fresh market. Their strategy will change as the season unfolds. Alsum' will plan to store a big part of their 2026 crop well into the spring of 2027.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels with the Wisconsin Bankers Association discusses the current stress in the agriculture economy with Mid-West Farm Report's Larry Lee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 operation in his family's hands. His father passed away in 2007, so he never saw the transformation. But Baroun believes he would be impressed that the family has not only maintained the farm, but continued to improve it. Now, his own son is showing interest in carrying it forward. For this farmer, that's the real measure of success. A farm isn't truly preserving its legacy if it can't give the next generation a reason to believe in its future. Find more of our farm family stories on our website: midwestfarmreport.com Presented by Compeer Financial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and plumbing, and produced dairy cattle, chickens, crops and even hemp during World War II. Today, some of the land is being rented to others, but the entire property remains in the Bohn family -- Lynne Bohn, Davette Hrabak, Judith Hayton, and Maryann Bohn. They are marking 112 years of family ownership and earning their Century Farm recognition together. You can find more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 makes the 150-year milestone both a special family honor and a hopeful look toward the future. Find more of our family farm stories on our website: midwestfarmreport.com Presented by Compeer Financial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While neither Deirdre Birmingham nor her husband grew up in agriculture, they both had the common interest of growing a farm business. Her degrees in agriculture and an opportunity to purchase farmland in the Driftless area gave birth to The Cider Farm. She dives into the unique philosophy they have on making cider.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Kuhl defines a hazard as anything that could ultimately injure or potentially kill an individual. Alternatively, he says it can also be something that interrupts our way of business or our ability to get business done. He's the president and chief executive officer of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, an organization that's key focus is to provide educational resources to keep children in rural America safe. With that in mind, Brian gives Kiley Allan a rundown of some of the most common everyday hazards on a farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The challenge with the H-2A guest worker program is fairly simple for Wisconsin dairy farmers. Cows don’t take a seasonal break. H-2A visas can provide agricultural employers with a reliable source of temporary labor. But dairy farms often have trouble qualifying because workers are needed year-round. Sam Moheban, an immigration specialist with Ruder Ware in Wausau, tells Pam Jahnke about a new proposal and how it could help farmers with their labor issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Ayla Guild from East Troy, Wisconsin launched their new business in 2018 with some guidance from the Food Finance Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you see headlines about international topics, you can feel disconnected. Wisconsin dairy farmers and processors are very "connected" to discussions around USMCA, specifically Canada trade negotiations. Today it appears momentum has slowed. That's a worry according to Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the Dairy Export Council. Harden tells Pam Jahnke that both markets are critically important to U.S. dairy. She explains the relationships with both, starting with Mexico. Maybe a rumble of thunder here or there this morning, but otherwise a brilliant day ahead. Stu Muck says this stretch of sunny warm weather should continue into the weekend. Most of the insect issues are in the rear view mirror for Wisconsin farmers, but there's still something to be learned. Larry Lee gets a season update from Krista Hamilton, entomologist with the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection. Hamilton says corn rootworm numbers were a big topic of conversation this year and may influence what seed farmers decide to go with in 2027. Putting a face with food has long been a goal for the Hunger Task Force. Today, through a more than 2-million-dollar grant Hunger Task Force is buying all types of produce from small- to-medium-sized locally based farms. The food, produce is then passed on to food pantries and non-profit organizations across the state -- more than 200 are now involved across close to 60counties! Teri Barr talks with Matt King, CEO of the Hunger Task Force about the efforts. He says feedback is beyond positive by everyone involved. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's global market, getting your product to the customer quicker is an advantage. Jill Welke talks with a Wisconsin farmer and a representative from SE Asia. Casey Kellaher, a WI corn grower & Caleb Wirth- Regional Director US Grains & Bioproducts Council based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia discuss what that region of the world's looking for. They say it's not just one commodity but many. Another beautiful day on the way for all of Wisconsin. Stu Muck says fog will burn off mid-morning for another sunny day. There is a chance for some showers overnight, but not much in the way of total rainfall. Despite headlines mourning commodity prices, auction items are still holding value. Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group explains some individual items that have really performed well. Paid for by Steffes Group. Monday is the deadline for farmers and land owners to be involved in changing their base acres. Larry Lee visits with Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of the WI Farm Service Agency offices. She says there's been few farmers or land owners that wanted to opt out of the update, but communication is key. Despite a bearish report from the recent ProFarmer Tour, markets are lower this morning. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend breaks down where traders are focused - and it's not just grain. The announcement by the Trump administration that it's letting in Argentina beef to offset consumer prices infuriated the beef industry. At the same time, the ProFarmer Crop Tour concluded with low expectations on corn and soybeans. John says that's not a surprise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accidents are never something to be taken lightly, especially if they occur on a farm. Kiley Allan visits with senior fire chief, Jerry Minor from the Pittsville Fire Department. Minor has dedicated his career on helping rural communities better serve the farmily community when accidents happen. He says agricultural workers face five times the fatality rate of the average U.S. worker, incurring an estimated $11.31 billion annually in costs from farm injuries and deaths. Minor has helped create the RF-DASH program. This program pairs fire departments with local farms to pre-map hazards—such as utility shutoffs, confined spaces, and chemical storage—improving farm safety and firefighter preparedness without regulatory enforcement. Farm mapping and safety data are stored in a secure database hosted by Marshfield Clinic, restricted solely to authorized local fire department officers and never shared with insurance companies or external parties. Pre-mapped farm data gives first responders immediate access to vital site details while en route, allowing them to quickly locate family/employee meeting points and utility shutoffs during fires or rescues. Not much to complain about in this week's forecast. Stu Muck says temperatures will stay very moderate. The chance of rain is minimal - so not much to slow down outdoor activities. When farms get the go-ahead from their local NRCS officials on things like a waste storage plan, they want to act fast and get the project done correctly. That's the same goal that JP Tank has. Pam Jahnke introduces us to Josh Pipping, owner and operator of JP Tank. Their entire focus is on big concrete projects around farms that help with manure management, feed storage and environmental protection systems. Josh tells Pam Jahnke about JP Tanks close working relationship with NRCS offices to make sure projects conform to guidelines, making reimbursement for projects seamless. Paid for by JP Tank. Yield projections for the crop of 2026 are lower than we've seen over the past three years. Farm broadcaster Andy Peterson wraps up the Pro Farmer Crop tour with corn and bean expectations. Today, Dairy Business Association will endorse Tom Tiffany as their candidate for WI Governor. While the campaigning continues, little work is getting done at the state capitol or in Washington on farm policy. Will we get a Farm Bill 2.0 completed? Teri Barr does a deeper dive on the possibilities with Mike Stranz, national vice president of advocacy for the National Farmers Union. He thinks it's possible, but it's going to take focused attention from both parties to get it over the finish line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers have evaluated their fertilizer this year very closely. With escalated costs and lower commodity prices, creativity and ingenuity are key. Larry Lee focuses in on the practices of John Eron. Eron is a leader in his local watershed, and a past recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award. He says that he adjusted how he used the fertilizer he had available, and found extra savings by reinvigorating older, used equipment on the farm. Beautiful weekend on the way! Stu Muck doesn't think there's measurable rain in the Friday forecast, and the rest of the weekend looks cool and comfortable. Great news for all the folks involved in local county fairs and the Badger Steam & Gas Engine show. Farmers want to do their part to keep their neighborhood and farmstead clean. Revolution Company wants to help. The company rolled out a free service for Wisconsin farms just before the pandemic. Landon Taylor, national sales director for Revolution Company says they've been field tested and improved thanks to Wisconsin farms. Taylor says the company was basically going "where no one had gone before" with free collection bin distribution and free pick-up statewide. There were some challenges, but he says the one thing that made everyone stronger was sharing the stories, and making the improvements needed. Brian Jordan can attest to that. He's one of the managers at Jordan Ag in Monroe. They're a partner with Revolution Company in bringing that recycled plastic full circle by selling items like bale wrap. Jordan says when they heard the story of Revolution, they knew it fit their business model - and it has. Wisconsin hemp producers remain on the bubble about their crops future. Larry Lee attended the 2026 UW Hemp Field Day in Arlington which gathered researchers, interested growers and processors as well as policy makers. He spoke with State Representative, Marueen McCarville from DeForest. She says it's obvious the state has a vibrant hemp industry, and she hopes that the legislature will be able to find common ground when they return to work in September. Protecting the industry may fall solely on the states shoulders if there's no resolution on the national scene. The ProFarmer Crop Tour will announce their field results today in Rochester, MN. Pam Jahnke previews some of their comments from Iowa and Minnesota farm fields. We travel to Waupaca County today to recognize another Century Farm Family. Teri Barr gets acquainted with Paul and Linda Kirchner. Paul and his family own one of two farms his grandfather purchased. Paul's brother owns the other farm, which was honored as a Century Farm a few years ago. Two family farms have now been awarded this special 100-year honor. Our Century/Sesquicentennial Farm Salutes are brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Ag Secretary Randy Romanski says more farmers are calling for mental health counseling as financial stress increases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Field surveys are showing farmers will likely get a much-needed break from their most costly corn pest, the corn rootworm, as surveys are finding fewer rootworm beetles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farm Service Agency Director Sandy Chalmers discusses deadlines for base acre changes and signing up for payment limitation changes authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southcentral Wisconsin farmer Kevin Klahn discusses corn and soybean conditions turning around after a just-in-time rainfall with Mid-West Farm Report's Larry Lee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A business built on seven generations of hard work, resilience, and Wisconsin agriculture celebrates its 10-year anniversary of an initiative to fuel and produce local products to its community. Jenna Broege is the Sales and Marketing Specialist at Jones Market. She joins Kiley Allan with the history of the parent company, Jones Dairy Farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sobering statistic from RF-DASH is that people employed in agriculture are 5 times more likely to die on the job than the average US worker. They say non-fatal injuries are also high, and estimate that the total cost of farm injuries and fatalities is $11.31 billion every single year. Jerry Minor is the Chief at the Pittsville Fire Department. He tells us how Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health, otherwise known as the RF-DASH program, aims to give first responders access to information that saves critical time and lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Tyler Walker, the sky's the limit when it comes to possibilities of drone utilization in cranberries. He's the manager of Walker Cranberry Company in Cranmoor, Wisconsin. While he used to depend on airplanes and helicopters for all of their insecticide, fungicide, and fertilizer application, he now has transitioned to doing it all by drone. Now in his fifth year of the transition, he says that although there was a learning curve, the cost savings now are evident.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Representative Maureen McCarville discusses the uncertainty Wisconsin hemp growers have with changing regulations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers know a good thing when they see it. Farmland Preservation Tax Credits may not be a lot - but it's enough to encourage many farms across the state to be part of the program. Amy Piaget, Land Conservationist for Dane County has seen the numbers climb. Piaget says Dane County leads the state with the number of farms enrolled, but that creates a new issue. Workload! Piaget says that's why they've recently implemented a fee structure to help offset those administrative costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating health care can feel overwhelming. This is especially true for self-employed workers, farmers, and rural families. Adam VanSpankeren is the Navigator Program Manager at Covering Wisconsin. He recently shared how free local support helps state residents find affordable health insurance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covering Wisconsin. The name speaks to the mission of this UW-Madison Extension program that helps Wisconsinites navigate the independent health care system. Adam VanSpankeren is the Navigator Program Manager. He explains how their program works to provide no-cost, independent advice for anyone searching for health care options. He tells Pam Jahnke that every county is different and requires a customized approach. VanSpankeren will be joining the WI Farmers Union at an event Sunday dialing in on what rural residents and farm families need to know about health care access and affordability in the state.​ Stu Muck doesn't expect much from any rain storm that might roll. Temperature-wise, conditions are ideal for all the county fairs continuing around the state. We're probably at least a week away from the beginning of the apple harvest in the state, and growers are ready for you. Kiley Allan finds out about the dedication orchard owners have for the whole apple experience. Deirdre Birmingham, Owns & Operates The Cider Farm. Her orchard is in Mineral Point with a tasting location on the west side of Madison. Birmingham explains her pursuit of an apple that offered more tannins for her cider. When she couldn't find the variety she wanted, she created it! More disappointing numbers on the ProFarmer Crop Tour. This time from Illinois and Iowa. Andy Peterson is along for the ride and gives an update. Consumers seem to be giving dairy a bit of a cold shoulder these days. Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, says that trend has dominated summer buying. Today milk production figures are expected, and given the heat, she expects production numbers to be fairly flatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The WI State Fair is always about celebration, but this year it really has many components to celebrate. John Yingling, current chair of the WI State Fair Park Board, will be retiring this October. That makes this years fair a little bittersweet. Pam Jahnke talks with Yingling about his beginning with the fair board, and what he's proud of today. Especially as they stand in front of a freshly remodeled Dairy Building. The major remodel was funded entirely by state fair park funds. Something that couldn't have been said when Yingling first joined the board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some fancy new swag you'll see at the Wisconsin State Fair and many items come courtesy of Dan Elias. He's been thinking up swell ways to celebrate the fair for years. He tells Pam Jahnke about this year's unique series that will really make you work for the "unique" collector itemSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Her title at the WI State Fair really does express just how much she does, with the help of many, many volunteers. Meet Jill Albanese is Director of Competitive Exhibits & Park Beautification at the Wisconsin State Fair. She visits with Pam Jahnke about some of the elements you might walk right by at the WI State Fair that have actually been thoughtfully created just for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of the cherries on top of her summer sundae. Serving as the major ambassador for all fairs, our Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, Kaelie Billingsley. Billingsley has been crisscrossing the state finding the elements that make each county fair special. At the Wisconsin State Fair, she welcomes everyone to experience all the unique experiences you have only at the WI State Fair. Billingsley grew up showing multiple types of livestock and animals, and carries that practical appreciation for fairs with her everywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin State Fair can definitely steal the show for its 10 days of education, entertainment and food. Remember though, Wisconsin is home to many district and county fairs that also invite visitors in. Jayme Butke, executive secretary of the WI Fair Association visits with Pam Jahnke about the economic value that fairs bring to communities. Fairs are also sharing the message of the other "values" they bring to communities through civic grounds and youth organizations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Byproducts from biofuels were a big topic of conversation at the recent U.S. Grains & Bio Products Council in Milwaukee. Jill Welke found out about the value those byproducts hold for farmers on the global scene - if we can get access to the markets. Andrew Brandt, Dir. of Trade Policy for the groups said agriculture's getting more attention then usual on the trade front. Anywhere from a 1/2 inch of rain to just over an inch overnight. Stu Muck chimes in with the rest of our rainfall reporters on what they received overnight. The Sauk Prairie area was reporting a little wind damage overnight from the passing storms. Hopefully the weather will be beautiful for this weekend's 63rd annual Badger Steam & Gas Engine club show outside of Baraboo. Teri Barr learns that this show is about more than just old iron. It's about story-telling, living history, and sharing memories. Judy Clark- Mente, a club member, explains why there are so many people dedicated to the success of the annual event. Disappointing numbers seemed to be the only thing consistent on the first full day of the Pro-Farmer Crop Tour. Farm broadcaster Andy Peterson gets yield trends from both the east and west legs of the tour. It's no secret that beef cattle numbers are still historically low around the U.S. That's forcing some tough conversations for the WI Beef Council and where it will invest its limited checkoff dollars. Pam Jahnke gets the scope of programs looking for funding from Curt Larson, president of the WI Beef Council. Larson is also President and CEO of the Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association. He says the collaboration that occurs state-to-state and nationally to maximize the limited funds is amazing. He explains how the process is currently unfolding. Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock on behalf of the WI Beef Council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA requires retailers to meet certain criteria when it comes to the food they stock, as it relates to the SNAP program. Kiley Allan sat down with Mike Semmann, he's the President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. He explains a rule that was published on May 8th, and while it was effective starting May 7th, the mandatory compliance date is in November. This is because the stocking process for stores often takes a long time to shift and move. He dives into the specifics a little bit more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Healthy soil and clean water go hand in hand, and the folks at the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance know that farmers are a critical part of the water quality solution. They work with producers across the basin to implement practices that are good for both their farm and improve water quality. Tim Burns, the Agricultural Conservation Coordinator, joins Kiley Allan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural Wisconsin needs more attorneys. Pam Jahnke sits down with Farm Law Outreach Specialist, Kelly Wilfert to dive into the issue. Some thunderstorms rolled through Wisconsin early this morning. Stu Muck tells us if we can expect more to round out the week. Century and Sesquincentennial Farms have stood the test of time in Wisconsin. At the Mid-West Farm Report, we are honored to have the opportunity to hear the legacy of the families who have built, and are continuing to build, Wisconsin agriculture. Farm Director Pam Jahnke hears the Vogt family's story of their 150 year old farm.There are some "musts" when you go to the Wisconsin State Fair. It's likely the Milk House makes your list. Teri Barr stopped in for a refreshing glass of their flavored milk! Pam Jahnke sits down with Revolution Sustainable Solutions to talk about the history of the company, or, as she likes to call it, "the evolution of revolution." Paid for by RevolutionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It isn't easy, but Judy Clark-Mente keeps the show's daily tractor parade moving along every year! Teri Barr talks with the longtime volunteer, advertising coordinator, and club member to learn why she is one of many volunteers helping bring one of Wisconsin’s longtime celebrations of antique tractors, engines, and farm history to life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.