Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

Attention high school juniors: Are you ready to take your seat at the table? The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is looking for the next generation of leaders to join the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. The deadline to apply is March 31. Stephanie Hoff visits with two council graduates today about how this program is a backstage pass to the world of ag policy and career networking. Mary Schrieber and Jescey Thompson are both now college students after successful stints in the FFA. Mary, originally from East Troy, was a National FFA Vice President. Jescey, who calls Ettrick home, was a Wisconsin State FFA President. Their career interests started in high school, when they saw the opportunity to apply for the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. Learn more: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/AgYouthCouncil.aspxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk a lot about the art and expertise required to make quality cheese, but that's not the only dairy products we craft from Wisconsin milk. Other products like butter and yogurt take a similar level of attention to detail. Don Tribby is the account manager and business director at International Flavor and Fragrance, and he has been professionally judging dairy products for 20 years. He explains the more intricate details of a staple for many dinner tables: butter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often talk about the hard data that drives modern agriculture, but what about the everyday observations of a farmer in the field? Pairing those together could prevent $150 an acre from washing away in the spring thaw. Steve Hoffman is the president of InDepth Agronomy. As an independent crop consultant, he works with a lot of farmer-led watershed groups to set up on-farm research plots and demonstration field days. Stephanie Hoff caught up with Steve at a watershed event, who presented on his own kitchen experiment that led to new findings for farmers utilizing cover crops.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With concern over High Path Avian Influenza(HPAI) persisting in Wisconsin, Senator Pat Testin is partnering with other lawmakers to eliminate one element that might cause spread.  Under current law, the Natural Resources Board may sell lands and structures owned by the state that are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources when the board determines that the lands are no longer necessary for the state’s use for conservation purposes. A bill has now advanced out of the senate that could limit those land sales if it's in close proximity to a poultry operation. Testin explains the motivation behind the change.  He also provides an update on the lack of progress on protecting Wisconsin's hemp industry.  Lack of progress in finding reasonable restrictions on Wisconsin hemp producers and marketers means they will still be waiting for a resolution when spring planting begins.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a partnership unique to Wisconsin, that's all about Wisconsin.  Let's do a little deeper dive on how the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation actually helped to start Rural Mutual Insurance! Pam Jahnke is joined by Jenny Martin, Rural Mutual Insurance, Director of Marketing and Mandy Ganser, WFBF, Director of Member Relations.  They explain how farmers need for insurance fueled the beginning of Rural Mutual!  Today, that foundation of serving the rural community continues to resonate. Martin explains that 90 years ago, Wisconsin farmers were having difficulty finding insurance that covered the professions they were involved in.  Through that conversation, Rural Mutual began. Today, Rural Mutual continues to serve that audience and more with over 150 agents statewide.  Rural Mutual is exclusively in Wisconsin so that its agents know the clients they serve. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation began more than 105 years ago giving a voice to agriculture.  Today, that voice is th

According to Lee Schulz, Chief Economist with Ever.Ag, 2023 was the worst year ever in pork production. How do markets look three years later in 2026? He tells us about the healthy balance of supply and demand in the marketplace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maintaining a record system for all of Wisconsin's livestock is no small feat, but the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) is up to the task. Every three years, WLIC contacts everybody who's actively in the system to renew their registration, and in 2025, the organization did just that. Julie Sweeney is the Executive Director. She tells us about the success they saw during the renewal and their priorities for 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wisconsin, is a family operation that has grown from its 1988 roots into a powerhouse milking 3,000 cows. David Trimner tells Stephanie Hoff about how they use technology and conservation research to promote sustainability, including measuring carbon through the Professional Dairy Producers' Your Farm, Your Footprint program. After all, carbon seems to be becoming the next big frontier for the modern dairy farmer, as told by David.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent waiver from DATCP eliminates PRRS and PEDv testing before transportation of swine across the state of Wisconsin. Jeff Morris, the Extension Swine Outreach Specialist, explains the logistics of the waiver. He explains the impact of PRRS and PEDv on the swine industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Farm and Industry Short Course has a new leader.  Mary Holle is the new program director at UW-River Falls Farm and Industry Short Course.  Mary and her husband operate a 480-acre farm in Baldwin, Wisconsin, where they manage a herd of 50 registered Holsteins. She tells Stephanie Hoff about the 16-week course which is specifically designed for the "slow season," running  from the last week of October to the second week of March. Students  spend roughly 80% of their time at the Mann Valley lab farm, working directly with cows, silages, and industry professionals. While the current curriculum is dairy-focused, there are plans to add business, horticulture, agronomy, and soil science electives by the 2026–27 school year. Mary aims to rebuild the FISC advisory board and restart the agricultural tour to connect current students with successful program graduates. Prospective students can reach out directly to the program via a dedicated email address: fisc

The cartels that have been making news in Mexico are impacting more than just local neighborhoods.  Bob Bosold visits with a group of Mexican cattle producers in attendance at the WI Cattlemen's Associaton winter convention.  They explain that doing business in Mexico has become very dangerous, even for farmers!  Now the group is looking at ways to transport their business into the U.S.Weather is the word for everybody in Wisconsin today.  Most of the state continues with a blizzard warning until 4 p.m.  Stu Muck totals up the snowfall received so far, plus the wind that keeps moving it from one place to another.Stephanie Hoff has another story of engagement from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  Today she visit with dairy farmer and DFW Board Member, Annaliese Wegner .  Wegner shares how everyday farm management translates into impactful industry leadership. She explains how the farmer-led checkoff creates one voice over 5,000 diverse operations to build global demand

Dairying takes a lot of skill from herd management to mechanics. For Matthew Fischer, the future of his family farm in Owen depends on a different skill set: leadership. Right now, Matthew is balancing his goal to expand the family business, Henar Acres Dairy, with his career as an educational leadership consultant for the agricultural fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho. But even as a professional in the leadership business, Matthew tells Stephanie Hoff that he has turned to the Professional Dairy Producers' Cornerstone Dairy Academy to sharpen his vision for the next century of his family farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is keeping a close eye on highly pathogenic avian influenza. Dr. Heather Roney is the program veterinarian with DATCP's Division of Animal Health. She tells us the current state of the disease in Wisconsin poultry flocks and dairy herds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether she's talking to a crowd of people or working behind the scenes for agriculture, Kim Bremmer can wear any number of hats. The recently elected president of American Agri-Women tells us about her agriculture advocacy journey. She mentions that with busy schedules, we must find the communication avenues we are most interested in and invest our time there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Temperatures are warming up and open water season is here for some. Trevor from OPS Experiences gives a look at how ice fishing went in the southeastern part of the state and some considerations for the early spring season. Host Ben Jarboe and him also talk about cheating in fishing tournaments and what it does to the fisheries. Stephen Manke the General Manager at Don's Marine in Lodi shares some things you should look for when you're buying a boat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent USDA report reveals a stark generational divide in agriculture. Of the nearly 350 million acres of rented farmland nationwide, less than 12 percent is owned by anyone under the age of 55. Our guest today says that farmland access and farm transition are two sides of the same coin. Stephanie Hoff visits with Shelly Rothman, executive director of the Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project, a nonprofit based in the Upper Fox River Watershed in east-central Wisconsin. They specifically serve Green Lake County and surrounding areas, currently supporting over 40 farms, along with local food businesses and community partners. Shelly says that high land costs make it nearly impossible for new farmers to enter the industry without inheritance. That’s been a primary driver for their new farm transition program.  To provide resources for farm transitions, Foxhead collaborates with the UW-Madison Division of Extension to use their existing materials and workbooks. Bonnie Warndahl, a farmland access

Wolf numbers in Wisconsin continue to grow, increasing concern from livestock owners on depradation.  Jill Welke finds out how Bob Mitchell is working to deal with the conflict.  Mitchell is a member of the WI Cattlemen's Association and also sits on the DNR Wolf Advisory Board.  He explains the science behind how the state looks to manage the wolf population. High wind advisories are in effect across the state of Wisconsin today through the weekend.  Stu Muck says we'll also have to manage through a mix of precipitation starting Saturday through Monday morning. On this edition of the Mid-West Ride Along, Pam Jahnke meets patriarch, Ralph Berry, from Berry Farms in Curtiss, WI.  Starting as a dairy that expanded into custom harvesting, Ralph Berry explains the evolution of the equipment he's used to farm his acres and harvest for others.  Schultz's Inter-State Ag, headquartered in Monroe, has been a stalwart partner with Berry Farms.  Jeremy Buchner is a service technician t

As Wisconsin’s potato growers get ready for spring planting, they’re also looking toward their trade associations to promote policy that works for growers, not against them. Mike Wenkel is the COO of the National Potato Council. He tells Stephanie Hoff about his hefty to-do list ahead of the growing season. He’s watching that nutrition definitions are pro-potato; he’s navigating labor reform conversations in Congress; and he’s advocating for market access during a period where we’ve got a big supply of spuds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspiring young minds about their future role in agriculture and food production is part of the motivation behind the World Food Prize.   Kara Henderlight is the Student Outreach Coordinator for CALS that's coordinating their outreach for the World Food Prize and Wisconsin Youth Institute.  She explains what it is and why youth should give it a look. Windy!  Dangerously windy!  Stu Muck says Wisconsin is already populated with high wind advisories and soon it will involve mixed precipitation. Potato chips, french fries or a big baked spud.  If you see it today, be reminded that the Wisconsin potato producer that put it there is losing money.  Stephanie Hoff tells us that Mike Weinkle, COO of the National Potato Council is on the job to try and change that trend.  Weinkle says they're working on everything from nutrition labeling issues to market access to help better those spud prices.  Stephanie Hoff reports. While the war in Iran rages, connecting the dots o

Marathon county is excited to host the "Alice in Dairyland" finals for the first time in decades.  The county has been part of the educational experience for the current Alice, Sarah Hagenow, for the past year.  Pam Jahnke sits down to visit with Julie Bohr, finance committee chair for Marathon county, and Hagenow about what's unique they have to offer. Windy and wet.  Those two words sum up what Wisconsinites can expect today.  On Tuesday Racine picked up more than an inch of rain.  Exceptionally high amount compared to the rest of the state. Catalogs are out and interest is high for good used equipment as producers get ready for spring.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group just returned from a large construction equipment convention in Las Vegas and says their data showed a lot of farmers from the Midwest were in attendance.  Paid for by the Steffes Group. Technology is all around in food and fiber production.  Kiley Allan hears from a cheesemaker in central Wisconsin