Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

Kaitlyn Riley chats with John Latham with the America Seed Trade Association about everything to do with seeds in 2020. From what the ASTA does to the mystery seed packages being received in the mail earlier this year, Kaitlyn and John cover it all. Josh Scramlin has an update on the events that have been unfolding in Green County over the past couple of months. The Maple Leaf Cheese Cooperative situation continues to play out and farmers will be paid for their November milk but beyond that things get dicey.   Matt Tranel with EverAg in Chicago joins Josh Scramlin to talk about the grain markets being on fire, what the stimulus package means for agriculture, and things to look out for in the marketplace as 20201 nears.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mark Stephenson, the Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at University of Wisconsin- Madison chats with Bob Bosold about the roller coaster year 2020 was for the dairy industry. They also look ahead to 2021 with predictions of what is to come. One teacher in Columbia County went above and beyond the call of duty this year, which is why she was recently honored as WFBF's Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Josh Scramlin catches up with Lori Bongert from Rio Elementary School. Market Adviser john Heinberg joins the show to talk about the scorching hot grain markets we saw earlier this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Torrey is a consultant for th3e Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and he says 2021 will be the year for farmers to share their story with lawmakers. Torrey tells Kaitlyn Riley that many of the longtime members of Congress that had the know-how to write ag policy will no longer be in DC. That means it's time to reach out to new members and make them aware of what the people that make our food need from their representatives. Do you find yourself burning or burying plastic on the farm? Pam Jahnke sits down with Price Murphy to talk about a service his company is offering to help Wisconsin farmers tackle the never ending stream of plastic they have to dispose of on the farm. For an encore to yesterday's initial airing, Josh Scramlin once again sits down with George Mann to talk about what it was like for him to grow up knowing Henry Ford.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pam Jahnke catches up with John Shutske, a specialist with UW-Madison Extension, about how farm families can take care of their mental health. 2020 has been a gut punch and during winter in Wisconsin it's easy to feel down about things even when a pandemic isn't happening. Shutkse provides some clarity. Josh Scramlin has a whip-around on your agribusiness news; China is buying more corn than ever before, broadband issues persist, and Hereford breeders actually had a pretty decent year. Imagine knowing a historical figure while growing up on your family's farm. For 84 year-old George Mann, he doesn't have to imagine. Mann's family knew Henry Ford himself back in the 1930's and 40's. Mann chats with Josh Scramlin about Ford's interest in agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe it or not, a reindeer named Rudolph calls The Badger State home. Jeff and Cindy Phillips are reindeer farmers in Washington County and Rudolph is just one of the reindeer that reside at their farm. Josh Scramlin talks with Jeff Phillips about raising these amazing animals in our state. The Wisconsin FFA Foundation gave chapters around the state a gift this Christmas! 40 chapters in all corners of the state received a $500 grant to help them get through the struggles the pandemic has created. The Foundation's Executive Director, John Hromyak joins Josh Scramlin to discuss the $20,000 in grants. With Christmas just a day away you're running out of time for holiday meal prep. Luckily, there's a ton of beef-based dishes that are simple to make for the entire family. Angie Horkan with the Wisconsin Beef Council joins Pam Jahnke to chat about cooking beef for the holidays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online cheese sales are through the roof! Suzanne Fanning with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin chats with Pam Jahnke about just how enormous e-commerce cheese sales have been in 2020. There's big news regarding the Farm and Industry Short Course at UW-Madison. Pam Jahnke catches you up on the latest regarding that while Josh Scramlin breaks down some of the items that are in the latest coronarivurs relief package from Washington, DC. What exactly does the latest relief package mean for farmers? Market Advisor John Heinberg joins Josh Scramlin to talk about how markets are reacting to the news but details are still fresh. Full details of the package can be found at midwestfarmreport.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Bosold catches up with the folks at Iowa State University to learn more about their new creamery, which opened in August. The university has always been known for their world-renowned agricultural programs and with this they hope to get back into the dairy game. Christmas is just a few days away...do you have your holiday meal plans ready? Angie Horkan from the Wisconsin Beef Council chats with Pam Jahnke about how cooking a prime rib roast is easier than you might think. Kaitlyn Riley talks with a goat meat producer from St. Croix County about her operation and why direct marketing to the Twin Cities has paid off for them. They also chat about the challenges goat producers face and how they are overcoming that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheese sales around the holiday season are always big for Wisconsin cheesemakers. Traditionally, consumers purchase cheese boxes and cheese boards; but according to Master Cheesemaker Steve Stettler, consumers are wanting cheese curds around the holidays as well. Josh Scramlin has the story on that trend. When will people that work in the food supply chain be able to get the vaccine? Once healthcare workers and vulnerable populations get the treatment they need, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin says workers in packing plants and grocery stores should be next in line. The Senator speaks with Josh Scramlin about this matter. Focus on Energy has a gift for you this Christmas: an energy saving pack! These packs are completely free to Wisconsin residents and can save you energy, money, and a headache as the temperatures drop. Pam Jahnke tells you how you can get a pack sent right to your doorstep. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you still searching for the perfect Christmas gift for the people you love? Look no further than Progressive Ag- they've got gift ideas that are both safe, fun, and festive. Kaitlyn Riley joins us from La Crosse with the full story. For dairy producers looking to get ahead in 2021, there's a webinar happening on December 18th at 11 AM CT. Dustin Jonasson with TFM by Stewart-Peterson tells Josh Scramlin that this webinar will focus on revenue management as we head into the new year. A stimulus bill could be coming out of Washington in the very near future. Cody Koster with Ever Ag says that this latest potential package could be very friendly to dairy and provide a much needed boost to the industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Fair Association has decided to postpone their 2021 annual meeting until 2022.  Jayme Buttke, Secretary of the WI Fair Association, says they're all excited at the possibility of returning to full fair activities in 2021, but the financial responsibilities may be too much for some.  Pam talks with her. We have the finalists!  A record number of entries for this year's WI Soybean Yield Contest.  Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist gives us the rundown on district finalists!     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every day's been a little different as far as direction for our WI milk producers.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, says that China continues to be an influence in the world dairy market - and that could be good news for 2021. Josh Scramlin talks with Larry Plapp from the Badger FFA about their seasonal poinsettia sales.  Perhaps not as popular as they once were - Plapp says the chapter's adapted and changed the goods they produce as a fund raising mechanism for their students.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tainter Creek is a tributary of the Kickapoo River, located in the northeast corner of Crawford County in southwest Wisconsin.  The watershed has extensive agriculture in a county that has heavy recreational land ownership.  Many streams in this area have DNR fishing easements, and unfortunately, eroding stream banks. Listen in as we talk with leader of the Tainter Creek Farmer-led Watershed Council.  Dani Heisler-Wodill is the regenerative agriculture outreach coordinator at Valley Stewardship Network which includes the Tainter Creek Watershed.  Every day she's working to help more people engage and understand what these farmer led efforts mean for everyone's soil health and water quality. She's joined by Derek Petersheim, a young farmer in Viroqua, that's carrying on the families tradition of conservation practices.  Derek is working on enhancing the value of his marginal land by introducing livestock on cover crops that not only hold soil in place and promote organic health, but also feed the animals.

Kevin Krentz is the new president of the state's largest farm organization, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.  Bob Bosold visits with the dairy farmer from Waushara County about the policy adopted during their 101st annual business meeting - all online. Wisconsin's specialty cheese market has witnessed a 108% increase in sales this holiday season largely driven by online sales!  That eclipes all other categories in comfort foods.  Suzanne Fanning, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin explains how they're helping consumers connect with our artisan cheesemakers and what dividends it's paying! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't think the ripples caused by the pandemic and consumer shopping patterns have stopped in the dairy industry.  Phil Plourd, President of Blimling & Associates and DAIRY.com shared his insights with the Minnesota Milk Producers.  Kaitlyn Riley brings us some interesting insights. Dry ice and Wisconsin's ethanol industry are going to be critical components for the successful distribution and use of the Covid-19 vaccine on the way.  Kaitlyn Riley listened at WI Ag Secretary designee - Randy Romanski - explained the relationship and why Gov. Evers has awarded $3.25 million in CARES grants to Wisconsin ethanol plants. There's a new crop insurance tool that farmers should look at.  ECO - Enhanced Coverage Option.  Tom Timko, Insurance Product Officer with Compeer Financial explains what it's all about. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Fanning, CMO and Vice President of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5-1!  Sounds like a deal doesn't it!  In reality it's 5 different organic farming conferences coming together in 2021.  Lori Stern, executive director of MOSES explains what they're hoping to accomplish. 11 cheesemakers and cheese industry leaders are being recognized during the annual Cheese Expo Global online experience come 2021.  Pam talks about it with John Umhoeffer fro the WI Cheesemakers. Could there be more government purchases of dairy in our very near future?  Ryan Yonkman, vice president of Rice Dairy/Ever Ag, gives us an update on what he's hearing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic is impacting people that may already be struggling.  Kaitlyn Riley visits with coordinators at Horse Sense - a therapeutic riding center that's struggling to meet demand. The state's largest farm organization has a new president.  Kevin Krentz, dairy farmer from Berlin in Waushara County take over the reins.  Plus Josh reminds listeners about submitting their Centennial/Sesquicentennial applications for farms/homesteads to be recognized at the WI State Fair. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing says weather in South America's a driving force in our markets.  He's the special guest - live. China's investment in pork facilities is catching market attention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Animal veterinarians are on call 24/7 - that by itself creates a stressful situation, but then it's compounded by having to deliver bad news to farmers that may not be able to pay for the visit.  A new support program's been launched to help Wisconsin's large animal vets persevere in the pandemic. The 101st WI Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting has concluded.  Two special awards were presented, with some competitive events too.  Pam recaps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Land and water conservation are critical components to the farming philosophy of this year's Leopold Conservation Award winners, John and Melissa Eron near Stevens Point.  Pam listens in as John explains his conservation passion. If you're trying to find farm land it can be a daunting task.  Josh talks with staff at Farmland Finder about how they're trying to innovate the process. 25 Green county dairy producers have found a new home for their milk as they map their future as a cooperative and a cheese company.  Will Hughes, consultant to the group, gives Pam an update on where they stand today and where they're headed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.