MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

We’re checking in on how the weather is treating wine grapes. David Korb is the owner, vintner and grape grower at Drumlin Ridge Winery in Waunakee, just North of Madison. Dave is hoping for dry weather these next few months to keep the wine grapes healthy. He's heard of a few issues statewide with winter kill and wind damage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soggy or dry? Breezy or muggy? We'll get it all this weekend, according to Stu Muck during the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years broadband projects have been spreading through rural areas in Wisconsin to make sure everyone is connected. And some of these benefits are not just personal. Dave Daniels a part owner of Mighty Grand Dairy LLC in Kenosha County, shares how the inclusion of broadband on their farm has made life easier and even allowed them to get more advanced equipment. He says that the use of the broadband has allowed them to implement trackers on their cows that work like "Fit Bits." He also says that it has proven to be more cost efficient. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Daniels, part-owner of Mighty Grand Dairy in Kenosha County, tells Ben Jarboe about how broadband infrastructure and high-speed internet have allowed him to further the operation with new technology. Soggy or dry? Breezy or muggy? We'll get it all this weekend, according to Stu Muck during the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Forecast. The latest Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey shows Wisconsinites may be spending a bit more this year for their Fourth of July barbecues. Ben Jarboe catches up with WFBF's Cassie Sonnentag. She says protein, such as ground beef and eggs, is driving the price. Heidi Knuth was born into the hobby of collecting John Deere equipment. She takes pride in pursuing a passion her parents instilled in her. Kiley Allan reports. Today, we head to Monroe, where Brian and Heidi Kent run Heidi’s Happy Acres. Brian says the cool weather to start the growing season wasn't ideal for sweet corn -- the soil wasn't warm enough, and the corn came up slowly and unevenly. He had to do some replanting. Now, the corn is looking healthier after the heat wave that came through. He grows white and purple varieties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assembly Ag Chair Travis Tranel visits with Mid-West Farm Report to outline state budget negotiations, recent wins from the committee, and what's on the to-do list for the rest of the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cattlemen's annual summer tour is in Southeast Wisconsin this year. Tressa Lacy is the President of the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association. She shares how the Association keeps the tour fresh and engaging by choosing stops based on producer feedback. The event not only provides an opportunity to experience new operations, but also to network with other lifelong learners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck says that we can expect some heavy rains over the next week or so that may leave farmers worrying about their crops. Farm Director Pam Jahnke has a chat with Krysta Harden, the President and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council on how they are making sure Wisconsin dairy has a place all over the world. We are taking a look at Wisconsin’s flagship university when Stephanie Hoff has a chat with Kaedyn Peterson-Rucker on the fantastic 6th place finish the Badger pulling team had this year with their tractor named “Bossy.” During planting if you noticed some of your technology and GPS’s having an issue it may be caused by something in space. Shawn Dahl, the Service Coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center, shares how geomagnetic storms may be the culprit. Mike North the Principal with EverAg joins the show and says that the U.S. cheese prices are still some of the lowest in the world. He also says that he thinks we will see cow numbers continue to grow moving forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It takes manpower to run Wisconsin Farm Technology Days – not just during the show itself, August 5-7, but also for set up and take down. You could play an important role in making it all happen. Sue Aschliman is recruiting volunteers for Wisconsin’s largest farm show this year at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek. She’s got a hefty sign-up list to fill -- 100 people per day! Reach out to Sue at 715-853-7544 or shoeladysue@icloud.com. Wisconsin Farm Tech Days is the state’s largest farm show, this year hosted by Clinton Farms in Bear Creek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau's market basket survey has come out showing that Wisconsinites may be spending a bit more this year for their 4th of July Barbecues. Ben Jarboe catches up with Cassie Sonnentag, the Senior Director of Public Relations with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, to share the details on why this holiday may be costing a bit more than in the past. She says that one of the biggest causes is the increase in the prices of protein which includes ground beef and eggs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is just around the corner. It’s at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek, August 5-7. There’s still time for you or your business to put your stamp on the largest farm show in Wisconsin. Ruth Trinrud is a dairy farmer near Waupaca. She’s heading up fundraising efforts for this year’s show – the dollars make Farm Tech Days possible. Ruth invites you to donate money or in-kind equipment, time, and materials. Get in touch with her at https://www.wifarmtechdays.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UW-Madison Badger Pulling Team had an impressive performance at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Quarter-Scale Student Design Competition a few weeks ago. Stephanie Hoff, Ben Jarboe, and Kiley Allan went to see “Bossy” for themselves and took her for a spin! Team member Kaedyn Peterson-Rucker tells Stephanie about the desing process and competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's become a staple in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Kwik Trip. This family owned and operated convenience story dynasty is catching attention not only in Wisconsin, but on the national scene! Ben Jarboe finds out about the chemistry that makes it work with Ben Leibl from Kwik Trip. The chain has been named USA Today's top gas station brand and best food by a gas station. He says they depend heavily on the farmers as they get all of their products from within 100 miles of their headquarters in La Crosse.Rain is on the way for the next few days in Wisconsin. Some amounts already over an inch. Stu Muck explains who can expect the most precipitation while temperatures finally break. This weather isn't necessarily ideal for Wisconsin strawberry growers. Stephanie Hoff learns that many berry patches are in the home stretch of their harvest season while other growers farther north are just getting into the best of their crop. It's not just about the berries. Roger Basse of Basse's Taste of Country in Colgate hopes his crop will last through the Fourth of July. He says nothing says summer like picking big, sweet, juicy strawberries fresh from the field. Roger is looking forward to a good crop with over 155,000 plants getting ready to ripen. He says he values the visitors that come to his farm and hopes he's helping them make memories. Wall Street is bullish on a Tuesday morning despite global tensions. Oil prices have receded while corn prices continue to fall. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke. He says the big second crop of corn expected out of Brazil is weighing heavy on the global market. Monday is USDA's Acres Report, and he's concerned that money may stay on the sidelines until those numbers are released.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With all the debate around funding cuts, industry representatives are speaking up for dairy research. This morning we’re catching up with a dairy industry veteran who says university research, like what comes out of Wisconsin, has played a huge role throughout his four-decades long career. Mike Brown serves as the vice president for dairy market intelligence at T. C. Jacoby & Company and visits with Stephanie Hoff. Mike is an expert on milk pricing policy, and he’s worked for both farmer-owned cooperatives and proprietary businesses for nearly 40 years. Throughout his career, he has been a big proponent of university research, which have assisted him in everything from FMMO reform decisions to what to do with a surplus of whey at the dairy plant. Mike says university research has provided him the facts and tools to be creative and try new things. When it comes to the UW Dairy Innovation Hub specifically, he jokes that every state should have one!Another dangerous day on the way for Wisconsin weather. Stu Muck targets geographic areas to watch. When most people think of 4-H, they picture the fairgrounds—livestock shows, ribbons, and maybe a few arts and crafts. But the organization is so much more, offering hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and meet youth where they are. That’s exactly the approach Alex Galston is taking as the Jackson County 4-H Educator. With a fresh perspective and a passion for making 4-H accessible beyond the traditional mold, Galston is working to expand the program’s reach into after-school spaces and under served communities. USDA is investing $8.5 million in a research facility in Texas to help battle the New World Screw Worm. Rod Bain reports on the 5-pronged approach announced by USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins. Pam Jahnke shares the update.The most recent class of master cheesemakers has been announced and this year includes one member with a Unique story that starts in the Netherlands. Ben Jarboe gets the story from Marieke Pentermann of Marieke Gouda. She says her cheese journey started with the sound of a late night calving cow. The move to Wisconsin from the Netherlands was made because of the amount of space the state has for cattle and business. She says that her goal was to own her own business by the age of 30, which she accomplished. Pentermann also says that within 4-5 months of making their first ever cheese they were being given awards at the US championship cheese contest for their Gouda. She has now become a master cheesemaker for gouda. She has recently received a grant and will be expanding to be able to ship out more cheese to keep up with demand. She says that she had no idea how hard cheesemaking was before starting and it taught her patience and hard work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s almost that time of year when you can find fresh ears of Wisconsin sweet corn at farm stands, farmers markets, or right on the farm. Welcome back to the podcast series where we introduce you to specialty crops across the state and the growers who make it all happen! Today we’re heading to Monroe, where Brian and Heidi Kent run Heidi’s Happy Acres. Each is a fourth-generation farmer – one growing up with hogs and cash crops, and the other in dairy farming. Today, together, they raise sweet corn, pumpkins, and family fun. Brian explains how Heidi’s Happy Acres was born out of the pandemic. Brian thanks the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association for the assistance in starting and growing an on-farm destination. WATA is a valuable resource for anyone looking to add revenue to the farm through ag tourism. This podcast series is brought to you by Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. Learn more at gowiagtourism.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At birth, a calf's rumen is underdeveloped or naive, and it relies on the abomasum for digestion. As the calf grows, the rumen develops, and its capacity increases. Making sure that rumen functions properly and provides that calf with correct immune functions is a major focus at Purina. Dr. Jill Soderstrom is the dairy young animal solutions specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition. Her focus is helping dairy operations select and coordinate prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes and all other technologies available for a healthy calf from the inside out. Just like farms, no two calves are the same. Dr. Soderstrom explains that creating the correct balance in that calves gut is like mustering troops for war. Sometimes you don't need all the weapons, but when calves come under stress - you do! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Rural Scholars Program welcomed nearly 30 high schoolers from seven Wisconsin schools to get acquainted with the college and the campus over the last four days. Before the program, most of these students didn’t think a four-year university or UW-Madison was in the cards for them. The inaugural WiRS program showed students how CALS is rooted in communities across Wisconsin. It also introduced them to application prep, financial aid, and campus life so they feel prepared no matter which college they choose after high school graduation. Director Tanya Cutsforth (pictured) has the details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the fall, Kessa Fitzl of Loyal will start the seventh grade. By the time she gets there, she'll have crossed off a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity off of her bucket list. In July, Kessa’s family and her horse, Flirt, are heading to Perry, Georgia for the National Barrel Horse Association Youth & Teen World Championships. There are others representing Wisconsin, but Kessa and her mom Kaila take some time with Mid-West Farm Report to share their excitement for the competition. Coach Kati Haas of Hazel's Haven Ranch in Thorp gives us an idea of what it’s like to prepare for this event. Kessa says she fell in love with competing when she started taking lessons from a friend -- when mom and dad told her they would not buy her a horse at age 8, she started working to earn money to buy one herself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Modernization Act is on the move again at the State Capitol. Sen. Patrick Testin, Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Revenue Committee says this legislation could relax some of the human resource issues being faced in Wisconsin, especially rural communities. Under APRN, qualified registered nurses would be able to practice independently and without the need for a collaborative agreement with a physician – so long as the cases do not fall outside their areas of expertise. Testin says the bills language has been circulating in Madison for over a decade. He hopes this time, with bipartisan support, it will cross the finish line and be signed by Governor Tony Evers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Laatsch collects FFA memorabilia. Each item has a story, and he is happy to tell others. He takes great pride in his collection and career as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "Every so often, as we go through life, take a look in that rearview mirror, and see where we've come from," says David. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The excitement of electing a new president is a time honored tradition like no other, and electing a new Wisconsin FFA state President is no exception especially when it has taken place for 96 years. Aubrey Schlimgen introduces us to Amalia Draxler, who has been named the New Wisconsin State FFA President for the 2025-2026 year. Amalia expresses her commitment and love to the blue jacket and shares about her background on how she got to where is today. And there are many things to celebrate including many records being broken such as record attendance of over 4,500 and a new membership number of over 27,000. Cheryl Zimmerman, the Executive director of the Wisconsin Association of FFA, gives us more insight into all of the excitement and what has been taken in this historic year and her role with it all. The rain this morning will give way to sun and heat this afternoon. Stu Muck says the real danger starts to build for the weekend. Still no conclusion on the horizon to the Farm Bill. Congress was supposed to write an updated Farm Bill in 2023, but it didn't happen. Two, one-year extensions later, and agricultural groups continue to push for the new legislation as farmers operate under a 2018 version. Steve Etka, policy director for the Midwest Dairy Coalition, talks with Stephanie Hoff about the baby steps they're taking. He says there's a lot of talk about splitting the Farm Bill up, and doing some of the work through budget reconciliation -- a fast-track legislative procedure used to pass certain budget-related bills -- a process Congress is in right now. "(It's) a big macro bill that deals with taxes, and deals with border security, and deals with energy, and they're talking about having it deal with some of the provisions of the Farm Bill as well," Etka explains. "We're kind of waiting to see what unfolds there. Our main message is that the safety net for dairy needs to be updated." He notes the farm economy has changed since 2018, including production and average herd size, requiring an updated structure to the Dairy Margin Coverage. We're hoping that, whether it's through reconciliation or a full-scale farm bill, those provisions can be included," Etka says.Markets are closed for Juneteenth, but dairy gave up enough on Wednesday. Pam Jahnke also gives an update on policy getting bipartisan support at the state house that would hopefully improve rural health care options. Sen. Patrick Testin says this legislation's been around the capitol in different forms for over a decade. Now, it's hopefully on its way to the governor's desk for approval. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Modernization Act was passed by both the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly. The APRN Modernization Act authorizes qualified registered nurses to practice independently and without the need for a collaborative agreement with a physician – so long as the cases do not fall outside their areas of expertise. Have you ever thought about the noise level on the average farm? It's not just about your personal tolerance, it's also about employees and even the animals! A recent study shows that common noise on a farm can have an impact on the cattle and the workers. Nesli Akdeniz is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of Controlled Environments in Livestock Production. She tells Ben Jarboe about a recent study where she moved around dairy farms to detect the decibel levels that occur. Akdeniz says that at 85 decibels hearing damage can start to occur. Luckily the average range is between 52 to 83 decibels on a dairy farm. Although when summer comes around the fans in barns can cause higher levels. She says wearing hearing protection and monitoring the cattles actions can help dictate what the best course of action is for reducing noise level for a stress free and safe environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that lawns have come back to life and yard work is well underway, many homeowners are focused on keeping their grass looking its best. But before you get too deep into mowing and maintenance, it’s worth checking in with one of Wisconsin’s top turf experts. Doug Soldat, UW-Extension Turf Specialist, helps Charitee Seebecker with some timely tips to help your lawn stay healthy through the summer and into fall—and it all starts with one simple step you might be overlooking. Measurable rain on the way for Wisconsin. Stu Muck alerts rainfall reports to get busy, and then excessive heat coming for the weekend.Tariffs are not impacting business for the Steffes Auction group. Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke about how they've guilt synergy with the addition of a Canadian auctioneering firm. He says that despite tariff talk, crowd size in person and online have swelled over the past few weeks. Paid for by Steffes Group.Janet Keller, general manager of WI Farm Technology Days, tells Pam Jahnke that the states largest outdoor agriculture show will focus on dairy operations going forward. She says with Wisconsin's dairy heritage, it just makes sense.Are consumers still buying beef at these escalated prices? The shorter answer is "yes"! Pam Jahnke takes a deeper dive into consumer buying trends with Dr. Glynn Tonsor from Kansas State University, and his Monthly Meat Demand Monitor. Directed by Wisconsin Beef Council checkoff dollars and underwritten by Equity Cooperative Livestock Association.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Because of the different products that came through Horicon, Horicon is actually the father, if you will, of 3 other factories within Deere," says Steve Johnson. Johnson worked at the Horicon Works factory for 35 years, ending his tenure as the Factory Manager. He gives the history as to why John Deere chose the location in Wisconsin to expand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heidi Knuth was born into the hobby of collecting John Deere equipment. She is proud to be a woman in the hobby and takes pride in pursuing a passion her parents instilled in her. "There's not many women in this hobby, and I think it's just absolutely inspiring that I can be at least one of those," says Knuth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jefferson County is investing in their economic development with a new food and beverage innovation Campus. Kinkkoman foods has already started construction on their new factory with OnegoBio coming soon. Deb Reinbold is the President of ThriveED in Jefferson county. She explains the evolving project to Ben Jarboe. She says that all the advancements are part of an updated strategic plan for the county. She says the reason for choosing food and beverage is because they already have a strong presence in the industry and it will not take away from other municipalities industrial complexes in the area. Another part of this plan is making new housing for the city. She says that they have not had a large increase in new housing since 2008. The hope is that the people that go to Jefferson to work will fill these new places. Reinbold says they have big things coming soon that she is unable to announce yet but that the ultimate goal is to boost the economy for Jefferson county as well as the state as a whole. Hot and sticky weather for all of Wisconsin today. Stu Muck says it may be what plants want, but cows will need attention.The farm workforce in Wisconsin might be made up of family, foreign-born labor, or people across different generations. How can farm managers better retain those employees? Stephanie Hoff gets an outline from Michael Hoffman, president of Igniting Performance, who works closely with agricultural organizations such as Professional Dairy Producers. He specializes in helping develop leaders in the family business. One of the presentations he gives to dairy farmers is on how to make farm employees feel comfortable and valued in the workplace. He tells us the top challenges for farm families when it comes to managing farm labor. Wisconsin's making more resources available to farms that want to concentrate on retaining employees and better training them. Hernando Duarte, Bilingual Farm Labor Outreach Specialist Agriculture Institute, is a boots on the ground resource that farms turn to to bridge gaps in developing new leaders. Duarte says that farms identify potential managers and turn to Duarte to help move them down that path.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With school out for the summer, many Wisconsin families face a growing challenge: feeding their children. According to Feeding Wisconsin, around 400,000 kids in the state lose access to regular school meals during summer break. “We always see a spike in food pantry demand during these months,” said Jackie Anderson, Executive Director of Feeding Wisconsin. That’s because parents must now fill the gap once covered by school breakfasts and lunches. “We’re seeing the biggest increase in childhood hunger since the Great Recession,” Anderson added. Statewide, more than 618,000 people are considered food insecure. That means they don’t always know where their next meal will come from. “That’s the reality too many are living in,” Anderson said. “One in 10 adults and one in six children in Wisconsin face food insecurity.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Hemling served as the co-chair for this years Classic Green Reunion. He talks the event and organization itself, their partnership with FFA and his personal interest and collection of John Deere equipment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kwik Trip has recently been named the best gas station brand in the US and the best food from a gas station in the US. Ben Leibl with Public Relations for Kwik Trip says a lot of this is because of Wisconsin. He says they get all their products from within 100 miles of their headquarters in Lacrosse. Leibl shares that they sell 150K dozens of eggs every week and 100 pounds of butter daily. Kwik Trip thanks all the farmers for their hard work because without them, they would not be able to achieve these accomplishments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The farm workforce in Wisconsin might be made up of family, foreign-born labor, or people across different generations. How can farm managers better retain those employees? Michael Hoffman is the president of Igniting Performance, working closely with agricultural organizations such as Professional Dairy Producers. He specializes in helping develop leaders in the family business. One of the presentations he gives to dairy farmers is on how to make farm employees feel comfortable and valued in the workplace. He tells us the top challenges for farm families when it comes to managing farm labor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

County fair season begins this week in Wisconsin. One theme you'll hear is "You Make The Difference". Jayme Butke, executive secretary of the WI Fair Association joins Pam Jahnke to talk about a national directive that all fairs are being encouraged to adopt. It's about finding the next generation of volunteers and evaluating where your fair is going and what value it brings to the community, county, state.Hot and sticky to start the week. That's the summary from Stu Muck for Wisconsin weather.Tina Peterson with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin joins Charitee Seebecker to talk more about why these stories and connections matter. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.In Wisconsin, fairs happen once a year. There's a lot riding on a few days of good weather and community interaction. What about those buildings that fairs use, and the uncertainty of the weather. Can fairs protect themselves from these elements? Stephanie Hoff talks to Robert Holmes, the president of Spectrum Weather and Specialty Insurance. His clients are nationwide, but his roots are in the Upper Midwest. Robert grew up in Minnesota and then came to college in Wisconsin. He worked as a weather researcher at UW-Madison for eight years before starting his business. His job today is to help fairs protect their bottom line in case of a severe weather event or the countless other things that could go wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jefferson County is investing in their economic development with a new food and beverage innovation Campus. Kikkoman foods has already started construction on their new factory with OnegoBio coming soon. Deb Reinbold is the President of ThriveED in Jefferson County and she says that all the advancements are part of an updated strategic plan for the county. She also says there is about $563 million invested into this new campus. The end goal is to boost the county's economy and create more jobs to attract new residents. To go along with this campus, they are making housing renovations and allowing more businesses to move into the area, so the county becomes a powerhouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When most people think of 4-H, they picture the fairgrounds—livestock shows, ribbons, and maybe a few arts and crafts. But the organization is so much more, offering hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and meet youth where they are. That’s exactly the approach Alex Galston is taking as the Jackson County 4-H Educator. With a fresh perspective and a passion for making 4-H accessible beyond the traditional mold, Galston is working to expand the program’s reach into after-school spaces and underserved communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin FFA Convention was back this year at Alliant Energy Center in Madison WI, for the 96th year. Cheryl Zimmerman the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association FFA tells us about the historic year they have been able to have. Including a brand new record of membership with over 27,000 members. And a brand new attendance record at the convention hall with over 4,500 attendees over the span of the 4 day convention. She also expresses the importance of the many faces behind the scenes that help make the convention run, and the organization prosper all year long. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amalia Draxler of the Glenwood City FFA Chapter will serve as the 2025-2026 Wisconsin State FFA President. Draxler, daughter of Mike and Rebecca, is a student at UW-Madison, working toward a degree in agricultural and applied economics. She’s involved in the Association of Women in Agriculture and hopes to use her experiences to continue to advocate for agriculture through a career in agricultural communications. Her Journey in agriculture started on her families dairy farm where her passion for advocating for agriculture grew in experiences such as the showing at the far, FFA, and even county fairest of the fair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 96th Wisconsin State FFA Convention drew to a close on Thursday. One of the special guests that was traveling down memory lane was Mary Schreiber, past Wisconsin State FFA Officer, currently serving as a National FFA Vice President. Jill Welke visits with the Wisconsin native, happy to be home in familiar surroundings.More sun than rain for the weekend. That's great news for all the outdoor events coming up according to Stu Muck.This weekend may be warmer, but overall Wisconsin's lagging behind in heat units. Steve Baile, branch manager for the Helena Agri location in Monroe talks to Pam Jahnke about their strategy in battling weeds and bugs, while micromanaging plant health for performance. Paid for by Helena Agri. Amalia Draxler from Glenwood City has been named the 2025-26 Wisconsin Association of FFA President. Right after the announcement, Aubrey Schlimgen chatted with Draxler about the agenda she's bringing to the position. Draxler explains her unique path from dairy farm kid to state leader.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With escalating prices everywhere, what decisions are consumers making with their dollars at the grocery store? That's the question posed to Dr. Glynn Tonsor, Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. Tonsor works cooperatively with the beef checkoff and pork checkoff programs to survey consumers on a monthly basis for the Monthly Meat Demand Monitor. Tonsor tells Pam Jahnke that consumers are still investing in beef at the grocery store, but there are conflicting opinions that could bring changes to that scenario. Tonsor says broader issues like tariffs and potential unemployment worry consumers. On the other hand, he says consumers want meat protein in their diet and that more respondents self declare as 'meat consumers'. Tonsor says retail demand is holding firm for beef, but food service purchases have taken a hit. Tonsor also notes that even consumers who are purchasing beef may be changing which cut of beef they're buying to reflect a tighter pocketbook. Tonsor's Monthly Meat Demand Monitor also helps gauge what consumers know about the food system. He explains that survey respondents have confidence in the food inspection service, and that taste and freshness are the most important elements shoppers are looking for. That remains the biggest decision maker for customers, even overriding price. Checkoff chat brought to you courtesy of the Wisconsin Beef Council and underwritten by Equity Livestock Cooperative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brusveen, of Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA, is a young entrepreneur that began Seed Clean when he saw a need in his community. He cleans grain to be used in cover crops. The operation began with a grain cleaner from his grandfather and continues to expand today. His business has expanded to include new equipment, such as a larger cleaner and conveyor lines. As his business evolves, he continues to prioritize efficiency and accuracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oleson, of Adams Friendship FFA, began her operation by completing everyday tasks familiar to many cattle producers. She spent time feeding, cleaning waterers and mucking pens. As she continued to grow in her skillset, her involvement in the operation expanded as well. Today, she makes breeding decisions, operates machinery and performs artificial insemination for the herd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Berg, of Granton FFA, was in eighth grade, she simultaneously took agricultural and science classes. This experience kick started her interest in agriscience. After a recommendation from her advisor, she began to participate in the Wisconsin FFA Agriscience Fair. Her interests haven taken her to explore the fertilizers. Berg’s first experiment reflected the impacts of natural, inorganic and synthetic organic fertilizer on plant growth, of which she found natural fertilizer to be the best. Her following project was a comparison of natural fertilizers that are commonly used in gardening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Krueger’s family, of Campbellsport FFA, has a rich history in agriculture. Her family’s operation is rooted in the swine industry. She began her operation with a registered Hampshire gilt to produce county fair and feeder pigs for local buyers. Now, she has introduced a new species to her family’s operation: cattle. Her first purchase of a Simmental Heifer was the beginnings of her passion for the beef industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A consistent message from farm groups nationwide is that labor is a No. 1 issue in the agricultural economy. Jeremy Foltz is a professor of agricultural and applied economics at UW-Madison. He’s currently gathering data on what the farm workforce looks like on dairy farms across the state. It’s research done through the UW Dairy Innovation Hub. He paints the picture for us on what the survey results have shown so far, and he agrees lack of farm labor is a problem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 her flowers are exquisite, there’s even more to look forward to this year. Stephanie Hoff finds out more about the event, and the flowers.A mix of clouds and showers are on the way for Wisconsin. Stu Muck breaks out the regions.The stars were out Wednesday night and it had nothing to do with the sky. The 96th annual Wisconsin FFA Convention announced the new officer team, and also the Wisconsin Stars of FFA. Kiley Allan speaks with Ashton Brusveen from the Randolph-Cambria-Friesland chapter - the new Star in Agribusiness. Brusveen has spent a lot of time on his seed business. Seed Clean is his own enterprise that purchases seed bulk from area farmers and then cleans it and resells it. Brusveen will now advance to national competition in October.The butter market has been performing above expectations lately. Katie Burgess, dairy risk manager with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to discuss the differences between U.S. produced butter and the world marketplace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University Extension Specialist, Dr. Shawn Conley, is advising wheat growers across the state to be monitoring their fields for possible fungal diseases. Conley says there's already been aerial applications going on wheat fields in southern Wisconsin to mitigate Fusarium head blight. Conley says there's also been scattered reports of Stripe Rust. For more details on risks and rewards, check out the new Badger Crop Network website with the latest information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 15 year old from Trempealeau County is on her way to Portugal thanks to her dog. Addison Connolly from Galesville and her 6 year old border collie, Cooper, have qualified as a part of Team USA for the Junior Open Agility World Championship. She's worked her dog up from hand signals to just verbal commands. Cooper responds to 7 different commands just to manage through the jump obstacle alone. Charitee Seebecker hears the details.Hot. That's the outlook for Wisconsin today with the possibility of some heavy weather coming in tonight. Stu Muck details the forecast.Some Oliver farm equipment got some record prices last week with the Steffes Auction group. Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke what seemed to attract the big group of online bidders. Paid for by Steffes Group.There's 16 different June dairy celebrations happening on Saturday alone across the state. One family in Cambridge will host the Dane County Dairy Breakfast for the second time. Pam Jahnke talks to Tina Hinchley about their operation that features robotic milking. Hinchley is passionate about educating the public about all facets of dairy life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking for a sign that spring has finally settled in? For many, it’s the arrival of rhubarb — that bright red, tart stalk that finds its way into everything from pies to sauces. At farms across Wisconsin, rhubarb season is in full swing, and one farm in particular is seeing their best crop yet. Ed Bures, owner of the farm, says this year’s rhubarb is some of the best he’s grown in 25 years. “We’ve probably got 1,000 pounds of rhubarb out there,” he says. “It’s the best-looking rhubarb I’ve ever had.” Each of their 200 rhubarb plants is grown on raised mounds, spaced about three feet apart. The plants are irrigated regularly and were originally transplanted from an organic farm nearby. “We added compost and horse manure when we planted,” Bures explains. “It helped them get well-established.” This season’s cooler temperatures have helped the rhubarb grow without stress. “Cool springs are great for early crops like rhubarb,” he says. “We’ve also seen very few insects, which makes a big difference.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Processing manure or combining it with other materials to create a more sustainable or valuable product is a fairly new concept. But researchers are on it to see if novel manure products can work to reduce environmental impact while improving a farm’s bottom line. Since 2021, UW-Platteville has been involved in a national project focused on regenerative agriculture. The six-state research initiative is called the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project. Dennis Busch joins us. He’s a UW-Platteville professor working on this eight-year project. He says there are a lot of moving parts across the six states as they study novel manure products. Research takes into account feed production, soil health, manure management, greenhouse gases, and forage yield, for example. UW-Platteville has a unique focus as well -- water quality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s 13th Annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride. Loop the Lake is an at-your-own-pace bike ride around Lake Monona on June 14 that raises funds to protect and preserve Greater Madison’s lakes. “If we all do our part, urban and rural, we can help our lakes,” says Founder and Executive Director James Tye. Find more information: https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/loop-the-lake/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hinchley’s Dairy Farm is no stranger to opening its doors to guests far and wide. On June 14, the Hinchley family will welcome community members to their farm for the Dane County Breakfast on the Farm. Featuring a menu of cheesy scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, milk, and coffee, the breakfast offers something for everyone. Visitors can expect a real, family-owned, farming experience. Designed to be an educational experience, the event will feature more than just a hearty breakfast. Attendees will see the farm in action, hear from industry professionals, and witness cheese carving, among other things. Learn more: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2025/06/08/see-farm-life-first-hand-at-hinchleys/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back as we introduce you to specialty crops around Wisconsin and the growers who make it happen. Today, we’re taking you to the strawberry fields before the berries ripen up for the season. For Roger Basse of Basse's Taste of Country in Colgate, this season is about more than the tasty red fruit. It’s about bringing the community out to the farm to make memories. He tells us all about how the berries go from blossom to basket and how this agritourism destination came to be! If you’re looking to generate an additional revenue stream for your farm by offering agricultural tourism experiences, join the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. WATA is there to help you navigate not just all that goes into ag tourism, like marketing, licensing, and developing educational experiences. But they’re also an advocate for you in policy development. This podcast series is brought to you by Specialty Crop Block Grant 23-10. Learn more at gowiagtourism.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability is a phrase often used in agriculture and food production. Definitions of sustainability can differ from one operation to another, however. Jill Welke visits with Barron County native and farmer, Andy Bensend, about how he approaches the sustainability conversation. Bensend's been involved in multiple boards across the state and nationally that have wrestled with practices and priorities. He explains what he thinks needs to be priorities when it comes to farmer practices and compensation.Sunshine's back on the plate for today's forecast. Stu Muck says heat's building and so is the possibility for some severe weather later in the week. A record breaking number of FFA members engaged in the Day of Service organized by the Wisconsin FFA. Kiley Allan and Aubrey Schlimgen shadowed some of the projects and talked with Scot from Meals of the Heartland and students involved in building beds for families without.The latest crop progress report documents improvement in the state's wheat, oats and alfalfa crops. Meanwhile, the sometimes overlooked rhubarb crop is thriving too! Ed Bures from Bures Berry Patch in Barneveld says its the best crop he's seen in 25 years. Wisconsin's strawberry crop is also on the way with some patches already open!Pretty quiet on the news front for commodity traders. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend. Cattle capture headlines this morning with more record prices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biodiesel is growing in the Midwest, and Illinois is a primary example. The folks accelerating biodiesel programs just south of us also want to see Wisconsin expand biodiesel usage. Stephanie Hoff was recently in Illinois and Chicagoland with Clean Fuels Alliance America, looking at the whole chain of biodiesel production from the beans getting dropped off at the plant to riding on a boat on the Chicago River that runs on biodiesel. The state has tax incentives for using biodiesel, and it’s also helping advance sustainability goals. Pete Probst is the president of Indiginous Energy, which is a renewable energy consultant, working with groups like the Illinois Soybean Association and the Chicago Park District. Pete tells Stephanie Hoff that he loves renewable diesel so much, he rigged up his own ride back in the day to run on used cooking oil. He also talks about his role helping members of the B20 Club -- a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff and the American Lung Association. It supports fleets running on biodiesel blends of 20 percent or higher. More showers possible today, but it's the wind you'll likely notice. That's the update from Stu Muck. Summer camp is something many kids look forward to. While the initial goal might be just having fun, it doesn't hurt to include some educational experiences too. Ben Jarboe finds out about the 4-H Summer Academy. It offers attendees a variety of track-based activities, seminars, campus tours, performances, and hands-on experiences. Summer Academy will be held at the UW-Madison Campus, where youth and adult chaperones will stay at Sellery Residence hall. Youth will be participating in a wide variety of track-based activities and seminars. They will be able to visit different locations on Campus and in Madison. They will also have the opportunity to hear from speakers, watch a performance from the 4-H Drama Company, and participate in a variety of fun hands-on activities! Polk County 4-H Agent, Lindsay Spindler, about why she's excited to be a part of the event.The spirit of June Dairy celebrations is crossing in waves across the state, but what about taking the enthusiasm outside the state? In this edition of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin discussion, Pam Jahnke finds out about the value that trade shows bring to dairy producers. Samantha Castro is the Director - Buyer Missions & Trade Shows at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. The volume of people and decision makers that can be reached at one trade show helps move the needle on product placement and ingredient inclusion for a lot of Wisconsin dairy processors. She explains how they use limited trade floor space to make sure they're involving Wisconsin cheesemakers in telling the story. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that graduates have crossed the stage, what's next? Ben Jarboe chats about graduate demand in the agriculture field with Tammy Jensen, president of Agri-Careers recruiting agency. She says there's been more unemployment in agriculture over the last 12-18 months then normally experienced. Right now Jensen says graduates are looking for sales and manager jobs but may be left out. Jensen says they're finding demand for "hands-on" jobs that need to be filled now, but may turn into advanced positions quickly. Should be a beautiful Saturday for June Dairy Celebrations, but rain returns Sunday. That's the outlook from Stu Muck.Her passion for her pooch, Cooper, is taking a Trempealeau County 4-H member to Portugal in July. Charitee Seebecker finds out about the excitement, 15-year old Addison Connolly of Galesville is preparing for. Through her 4-H dog project, Connolly and her 6 year old border collie, Cooper made the cut on Team USA for the Junior Open Agility World Championship. Connolly says in the beginning she used hand signals, but now it's all vocal commands. Cooper can understand going left or right, and has about 7 different commands/cues for just the jump obstacle alone. All the June dairy celebrations popping up across the state don't just happen. It takes a tremendous amount of time, coordination and volunteers to bring it all together. Green County has over 40 years of experience when it comes to pulling things together. Stephanie Hoff talks to two staples of the Green County history. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.