Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

Pictured: Steve with his family. During Steve Van Lannen's 30 plus years in the meat industry, he ran packing companies in six states but spent most of his career in Wisconsin, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer of American Foods Group. Through innovation and forward thinking his leadership brought growth and diversity to the companies he worked for. An advocate of education, he mentored employees and students at the high school and collegiate level. He tells Stephanie Hoff about the journey to the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pictured: Dan Schaefer with his vitamin E research colleagues Kris Scheller-Stewart and Quingping Liu. Dr. Dan Schaefer joined the UW-Madison Animal Science Department in 1981 as an assistant professor. During his nearly 40-year career with the university, he led ground-breaking research in feeding Holstein steers. His work in supplementing vitamin E in rations to improve meat color is still used today. He would go on to help construct the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery building on campus. Dan sits down with Stephanie Hoff to tell his story leading to being a 2026 inductee into the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 45th anniversary of the Midwest Horse Fair is slated to bring in a record number of horses. This year, over 800 horses from 45 different breed and discipline groups are expected to make their way to the Alliant Energy Center. Teri Giannetti is the Executive Director for the event and tells us the agenda has something for everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a Wyffels Wednesday and Brent Tharp a technical products manager with the company joins Ben Jarboe to talk about what the current planting looks like. He gives insight into their planting progress map and what their new products for the year are. If you have questions make sure to visit wyffels.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Wisconsin farmers, researchers, and residents, changes in the weather carry a lot of weight. Today, we’re sitting down to discuss the unpredictable shift from spring snowstorms to record rainfall, and how the Wisconsin State Climatology Office is hitting the road to hear directly from you. Amanda Latham, climate outreach specialist with the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, tells Stephanie Hoff about Wisconsin’s role as a powerhouse in climate science. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the spring storms we’ve been experiencing, it’s more important than ever to offer precise measurements of precipitation from your own backyard. David Paulson is a volunteer for the National Weather Service who turned a casual interest in local weather into a daily mission. David first heard about CoCoRaHS through a Water Action Volunteers newsletter. At first, he thought his neighborhood was already covered, until he noticed a gap in the data. So, David stepped up, bringing his experience from river monitoring straight to his rain gauge. But it’s not just rain! CoCoRaHS stands for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. David tells Stephanie Hoff how he collects hail data.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night's thunderstorms provided some impressive rainfall totals and fierce winds. Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck says we can expect more precipitation throughout the week. Bob Bosold takes us on a trip to Arizona to learn about olives and olive oil. Different olives produce different types and qualities of oil. The oil you choose depends greatly on use and taste. Bob learns more. Pam catches up with Randy Kath and our friends at the Steffes Group. This week's rain has the potential to play a role in filling manure pits, and will need to be emptied before we know it. As Wisconsin farms get larger and shift toward liquid manure systems, the number of injuries and deaths related to toxic gas exposure is trending higher.  Stephanie Hoff and Extension Specialist Becky Larson talk manure gas safety musts. Why have corn and wheat been feeling pressure, and are soybeans next? John Heinberg walks us through the elements to pay attention to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin dairy farmer Virgil Haag joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss the powerful partnership between the state’s producers and the Alice in Dairyland program. Explore how this ambassadorship uses high-reach media campaigns and personal community engagement to build lasting consumer trust. Sharing the story of Wisconsin’s dairy heritage today ensures a thriving industry for the next generation. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cattle industry is currently navigating a period of historic highs and complex challenges, Jeff Swenson tells Stephanie Hoff. Swenson, meat and livestock specialist with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, says with cattle supplies at their tightest levels in years, the balance of power has shifted toward the producers, though high input costs continue to squeeze profit margins across the board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial Intelligence is now involved in our everyday lives and this includes on the dairy farm. Ben Jarboe learns more about where you can find it on the farm with Jeffery Bewley. He is the executive director of genetics and innovation for Holstein Association USA. He says it is exciting, but worried that people will forget the backbone of dairy farming if they rely too much on AI. It was a wet Sunday and that looks to continue this week according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck.Warmer weather brings on fresh produce that everybody enjoys throughout the summer, but how do they make sure it is safe for human consumption? Kiley Allan chats with Kristin Krokowski, a commercial horticulture educator with UW-Madison, to find out what they look for to keep our food safe.June Dairy Month is right around the corner and it means there is a lot of work to be done by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Pam Jahnke chats with Mitch Kappelman to get the details on what it takes to spread the word of dairy throughout the month.

Spring has sprung which means boats will be comin out on the water. John Sinclair joins host Ben Jarboe to give a reminder on boating laws and considerations. Davion Freeman joins the show to talk early spring time fishing and favorite baits to use when the fish are lethargic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tucker Brown has taken to social media to connect producer and consumer as an influencer. Jill Welke chats with him to learn more about his ranch, the R.A. Brown Ranch, in Texas. He says he has been able to blend his two passions together with social media and agriculture. The morning started off wet on this Friday with rainfall reports coming in, Ag meteorologist Stu Muck says that it may not be done for the weekend. Nothing says spring like rain, blooming flowers, and the reappearance of bees. Stephanie Hoff talks with Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, the Wisconsin State Apiarist, to see where these bees went on vacation for the winter and how their health has held up. Another way you know it is spring is when farmers take to the fields to get their crops in, but they're not the only ones planting. Kiley Allan has a conversation with Avery Drew and Stacie Kopenhafer about their experience running a test plot through Southwest Tech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Do you enjoy comparing rainfall totals with your friends at the local coop? Do you have a trick knee that can predict a storm perfectly? The National weather service is interested in hearing about the totals you found in your rain gauge. COCORAHS is the acronym that stands for Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network. It’s a network of volunteers who work together to measure precipitation of all forms across the nation. Karen Merlau has been participating for 14 years and says she enjoys citizen science projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Offering tours for over 20 years, Ripp’s Dairy Valley is no stranger to welcoming some of the youngest dairy enthusiasts to the farm. This week, the family is opening their barns to kindergarten classes. On just the first day alone, they’ll have approximately 100 students join them to learn about the life of a dairy cow. I had the opportunity to join the students for lunch, and, after pouring countless glasses of milk, I talked to Chuck Ripp. He’s an owner at Ripp’s Dairy Valley. He tells us what it’s like to host the students.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NaCole Johnson, global talent acquisition specialist at URUS, and Stephanie Hoff discuss the shift toward hiring for passion, adaptability, and data fluency. Hands-on internships are preparing Gen Z to tackle global challenges in sustainability and food security. A mission-driven mindset is the new gold standard for the next generation of agricultural leaders. Stu Muck is forecasting a favorable day of sunshine and mild weather, but that will turn around tonight. How do you keep 100 kindergarteners entertained and engaged on the dairy farm? Chuck Ripp tells Kiley Allan about the three-day educational event they're hosting this week for the youngsters. Clean fuels produced by rural soybeans are making urban air easier to breathe, reports Clean Fuels Alliance America. Describe dairy markets in one word... how about volatile? Recent events, including the global dairy trade, are signals for producers to bring in partners. That includes dairy analysts like Cody Koster at EverAg. See omnystudio.com/listener fo

As the Wisconsin landscape finally begins to wake up, our local beekeepers are gearing up for a busy season ahead. From hives returning home after a winter down south to the first blooms of spring, there is a lot to track in the world of pollinators. Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt is the Wisconsin State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. She tells Stephanie Hoff that the state offers free statewide inspections and diagnostics to help keep colonies thriving. Just reach out to the Wisconsin Apiary Program. Brooke also tells us what she knows about bee movement this time of year, especially for honeybees coming back to Wisconsin after working the winter elsewhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the northern end of the world's longest barn, Bob Bosold shares tales from his trails out West, including what it takes to manage the mule concession in the Grand Canyon. John Berry says these mules not only bring people to the bottom of the canyon, but also provisions for the restaurant and cabin accommodations -- there's really no other way to get down there!Although it may be dreary this morning across Wisconsin, the sun is supposed to peek through this afternoon, according to the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update.Are you a commercial or hobbyist grape grower? Plant pathologist Leslie Holland tells Ben Jarboe about the critical need for Wisconsin grape growers to use strategic fungicides with precise timing to combat a resurgence of black rot and downy mildew.Farm Director Pam Jahnke catches up with The Steffes Group before a big equipment auction today, brought to you courtesy of The Steffes Group.Alice in Dairyland Sarah Hagenow explains to Kiley Allan how Marathon County’s unique soil and c

It won't be long before Wisconsin roadways will have some large, heavy equipment heading to the fields.  Safety has to be a paramount concern for the farmers operating it, and the drivers sharing the road.  Kiley Allan gets a refresher course on what to remember from WI State Trooper. Warmer temps are coming to Wisconsin from Canada.  Stu Muck says there's still a chance for rain in the forecast, and for people farther north - possible snow again. Farmers are preparing to head to the fields for spring planting.  Once that seed is out of the bag and in the ground - they're committed.  But what happens if their agribusiness partner, which was going to buy that product closes or goes bankrupt before the harvest?  What's their recourse?  Stephanie Hoff talks with Randy Fleishauer of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point.  He currently sits on DATCP's Producer Security Council which is designed to deal with that dilemma, if it happens.  Fleishauer says losing a specialty cr

Jan Prins a dairy broker from EverAg talks about how National and International happenings are affecting the markets. He says the Iran conflict is affecting butter the most due to inability to transport products through the Strait of Hormuz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.