Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

The 95th USDA Ag Outlook Forum turned into a newsmaker on Thursday with an announcement that farmers will plant more corn and fewer soybean acres.  Those are the initial estimates for 2019.   Finding a market for conventional corn and soybeans is "old hat" for farmers.  Finding the same kind of market for organic corn and soybeans is much more problematic.  They're talking about that and more facing organic farmers at the 40th annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference in Lacrosse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government shutdown postponed the official bad news for Wisconsin dairy operations. The state saw milk prices erode again in December, while Wisconsin milk production actually went up.  Fewer cows - more milk. Today is the beginning of USDA's Ag Outlook Forum and it could be the newsmaker the market's been looking for.  Bryce Knorr - commodity analyst with Farm Futures magazine gives us some points to watch for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the three day weekend, all eyes are on Washington, DC, and the renewed China/US trade talks.  Bryce Knorr's got the latest news the markets buzzing about. Gaelen Combs, WI State FFA Sentinel, says middle school students are very attracted to what the FFA offers them, and their enthusiasm shows during National FFA Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Vail, oncologist at the UW-School of Veterinary Medicine, is one of the team members currently focused on developing a vaccine that could prevent cancer.  It's National FFA Week and we kick it off talking with Wisconsin's FFA President, Amelia Hayden, about plans for the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Mark Hoffman, new president of the Wisconsin Corn Foundation, it's all about the next generation of Wisconsin farmers.  The goal initially is to raise money for scholarships so future corn growers can experience industry functions like the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo and Commodity Classic. The Wisconsin Pork Association's recognizing some its important contributors too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disappointing numbers out of China overnight are setting the tone for another tough day in Chicago.  Bryce Knorr's got the latest updates! Meanwhile, the Wisconsin legislature has started pulling business items together that could impact farmers.  Sen. Howard Marklien, chair of the Senate Ag Committee, joins Pam to talk about the committee make-up and what he sees developing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO Rod Hebrink, says customers of Compeer Financial will see a check in the mail starting this week.  Patronage dividends will be disbursed beginning in February with installments again in the fall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talks continue in Beijing with cabinet level meetings later this week.  Does the market think anything will come of it?  Bryce Knorr, Commodity Analyst with Farm Futures, shares his perspective. Wisconsin potato growers had one of their worst years in 2018, and they're still living with the repercussions.  Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were a couple new awards presented in Wisconsin Dells by the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association.  One - for Beef Quality Assurance to Dave Eron, Eron Beef LLC of Stevens Point.  The other to Fred Larson and Larson Hereford in Spring Valley as the Environmental Stewardardship Award. Cheeselandia!  Doesn't it sound like a wonderful place?  Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's helping people create their own Cheeselandia across the country.  Su Fanning explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's Alice in Dairyland, Kaitlyn Reilly, is sharing the colorful message of Wisconsin cranberries for the upcoming Valentine celebration!  Not only does the fruit pack flavor - but also plenty of nutrition! Dr. Paul Mitchell, UW-Madison Ag Economist, shares some alarming numbers about farm bankruptcies in Wisconsin - and the untold number of farms that are close to bankruptcy but have been reorganizing their farm plans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Kremer, soybean grower from Pittsville, is out in Washington, DC, talking biodiesel with elected officials.  Kremer's currently the treasurer for the American Soybean Association, and he tells Pam Jahnke that they're pushing hard to restore a blenders credit that's been missing for 2 years. Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures analyst, acknowledges that markets have been dull at best this week.  That could all change at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning with the World Ag Supply Demand report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New survey information on Wisconsin consumers shows we're all about the meat!  Angie Horkan with the Wisconsin Beef Council says the state paces well ahead of the national average on the amount of beef we consume in a week.  She also notes that Wisconsinites are less likely to have sampled plant based proteins! Even specialty crops in Wisconsin including fruits and vegetables are struggling with low prices.  Jed Colquhoun, associate professor in horticulture on the UW-Madison campus, says growers are now talking about creating some regional brands to try and add value to their products. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of the most complex buildings the state of Wisconsin has ever undertaken, and it's almost complete on the UW-Madison campus.  The UW Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building should be ready for occupancy by this spring according to Jeff Sindelar, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. The U.S. may have a lot of things - but it definitely doesn't have enough fertilizer plants to supply farmers.  Chris Short with CHS, talks with Jenna Preston about the world production outlook for fertilizers and what farmers need to keep an eye on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Acheson of South Central Wisconsin Hemp is trying to get ahead of all the interest in growing and processing the crop in the state.  His cooperative approach to the opportunity is designed to protect farmers from out of state commercial interests.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winners abound at the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo!  Jenna Preston has a wrap up of the 8 chefs that competed in the annual Taste of Elegance. Depression and farm suicide has been a major theme at many Wisconsin conferences this winter.  Jeff Diztenberger, farmer from Albany, lived it first hand and shares his experiences with the audience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryce Knorr with Farm Futures magazine brings the latest insights into what's happening in Washington, DC, between the US and China trade negotiators. Paul Mitchell, UW Ag Economist, shares insights into what farm bankruptcy numbers tell us about Wisconsin agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headline statewide is the historical subzero weather, but dialy chores on the farm have to go on.  Mitch Breunig, owner of Mystic Valley dairy in Roxbury north of Madison, shares a day in the life of a dairy farmer for consumers.  Weather's only one of the challenges dairy farmers are facing today. There's  also legislation being reintroduced in Madison to provide fundingfor safety equipment on some older models of tractors.  ROPS funding could be coming back around in 2019, thanks to Rep. Bob Kulp of Stratford and others iin the state house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin farmers will need to use care in 2019 when it comes to dicamba technology in soybeans specifically.  Dr. Rodrigo Werle, UW Extension Weed Specialist, has wrapped up a survey from 2018 that shows how the herbicide technology was used and what needs to change for 2019. Poor bottom lines are forcing some dairies to bring livestock home from custom operators that had been caring for the animals.  But that may suddenly force them into the permitted CAFO program - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation.  Permits just don't happen according to Kevin Erb, UW Extension Nutrient Program Director. Bryce Knorr, Commodity Specialist with Farm Futures Magazine, says this bitter weather is impacting the wheat market, and all eyes are on the meetings with China starting tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mark Markel, Dean of UW-School of Veterinary Medicine explains their latest launch of a building campaign to expand the school and clinic. Wisconsin Farmers Union had a great turnout at their 88th annual state convention in Appleton.  Darren Von Ruden, WFU president explains the membership uptick.  Roger Johnson, NFU president was also in attendance and comments on the government reopening and what agriculture needs. Jennifer Blazek, coordinator of Wisconsin's Farm and Industry Short Course, updates student enrollment and curriculum updates for the program dating back to the 1930's. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's largest dairy and livestock operators are invited to meet with some of the state regulators that permit them beginning in February.  Kevin Erb, Extension Nutrient Manager, says the meetings are designed to keep the line of communications open in all channels.   Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy Dairy Advisor, highlights some of the maintenance bonuses available to farms in the 2019 incentive packages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.