Top of mind for many dairy farmers is the farm's efficiency as well as animal welfare. Emily Skowronski and Katie Darnell with Cattle Care share how their use of cameras tracks employees work while making sure the cattle are comfortable. The cameras have AI for facial recognition so farmers can track each worker throughout the operation. They also …

Retirement is something that’s usually celebrated with parties and congratulations. But in farming, it doesn’t quite go like that. There are a few reasons for this, but a main one is a question around identity. If you’re not a farmer, then who are you? That question typically delays farm transitions and succession planning. Today we hear from Unive…

Congratulations graduates! The Farm & Industry Short Course at UW-River Falls concluded this week, and the grads are ready to take what they’ve learned back into the agriculture industry. Today we’re catching up with two FISC students. Kevin Biese from Wrightstown comes from a family-owned dairy milking about 1,000 cows. He said the Farm and Indust…

Wisconsin's dairy industry is a key part of the state's economy, and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is working hard to support local farmers, promote the state's dairy products, and build trust with consumers. Sandy Madland, member of the DFW Board of Directors, is joining us for this month's check-in with Dairy Checkoff to share how they make sure Wis…

As Midwest farmers gear up for spring fieldwork, Mother Nature might have other plans. While some are eager to plant early to stay ahead of potential crop stress, Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist for Conduit, says there’s still plenty of uncertainty in the forecast. With drought concerns still looming and global weather patterns shif…

Rachel Armstrong, attorney and founder of Farm Commons, is busy handling a lot of questions from farmers about federal funding freezes. What can you do if you're holding a signed, binding, government contract that the government has decided not to honor? Is there recourse? Is there a penalty if I don't go forward with a project given the unknown ci…

Six candidates are working to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. That also signals the final phase of service for Halei Heinzel, our current "Alice." She visits with Stephanie Hoff about the learning journey the six will experience leading up to the May finale in Crawford County. The top candidates are: Allison Foster, Waupun, Michelle Stangler, W…

Ever wondered how your backyard rain gauge could help improve weather forecasts and even assist farmers? The National Weather Service is calling on Wisconsin residents to join the CoCoRaHS Network (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network) through their Rain Gauge Rally. This volunteer network of dedicated weather watchers records rainf…

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection awarded nine projects funding for the 2025 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. These grants aim to find and fine-tune methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to farm fields, protecting soil and water. Ted Hoffman, an independent crop consultant with InDepth Agronomy,…

Farmers and organizations across the country are feeling uncertain about government contracts tied to USDA programs like EQIP, CSP, and REAP. With funding frozen and contract decisions unclear, producers are left wondering what to do next. "We've been getting a lot of questions from farmers who already started projects or hired contractors," said R…

Jon Goetz has been recognized as a 2025 GroundBreaker of the Year Honorable Mention by Compeer Financial. Each year, Compeer Financial celebrates young, beginning, and small farmers for their dedication to agriculture and their community. Goetz's farming journey started with his grandfather's land, which sparked his lifelong interest in agriculture…

Hosting the Alice in Dairyland finals – it’s a big deal for a county. It brings statewide news coverage and drives local interest in the county’s agribusiness industry! Carol Roth is co-chairing the Crawford County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee, the host this year. Roth was most recently the executive director for Driftless Development Inc. S…

The freeze on federal funding is hitting a group just as they enter their busiest season. FairShare CSA coalition recently was informed that their grant meant to promote and expand CSA programs—has been canceled. Tess Romanski, FairShare CSA Communications & Development Manager says With the funding loss and uncertainty around conservation programs…

It's been an interesting few months for the new president of the Midwest Food Products Association. As side from trying to get to know his members, Nick Novak is now also trying to manage his way through serving members facing the impacts of tariffs. Ben Jarboe visit with Novak about how prices and operations are changing while facing new steel and…

April is going to bring some changes to the dairy cattle genetic arena. Katie Schmitt joins us from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, an organization responsible for genetic evaluations of dairy cattle and goats in the United States. Schmitt says the council is due for a genetic index adjustment and a genetic base change in April. She says dair…

On Friday, six candidates were introduced as finalists to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. That also signals the final phase of service for Halei Heinzel, our current "Alice." She visits with Stephanie Hoff about the learning journey the six will experience leading up to the May finale in Crawford County. Pictured left to right: Michelle Stangle…

The National Weather Service relies on volunteer weather observers to provide real-time weather data. Tim Halbach is the warning coordination meteorologist for NWS-Milwaukee. He says being a weather observer is easy and rewarding work! NWS and Mid-West Farm Report are encouraging you to sign up. Just visit CoCoRaHs.org or wisconsinweatherwatchers.o…

The Wisconsin State Climatology Office and the National Weather Service are calling on residents to become citizen scientists. Throughout March and beyond, Wisconsinites can help by becoming official rainfall reporters and weather observers. "This is a fun activity, especially if you are a weather enthusiast or even if you just want to learn more a…

The 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest has come to a close with Arethusa Europa from the Arethusa Farm Dairy in Bantam, Connecticut being victors. Wisconsin had a strong showing with 9 entries making the top 20 and Cello Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan by the Lake Country Dairy-Schuman Cheese in Turtle Lake earning the second runner-up h…

At McFarland High School, students are getting a hands-on education that goes far beyond the classroom—transforming local trees into high-quality lumber for their woodworking projects. Under the leadership of Steve Pennekamp, Technology and Engineering Teacher, the school’s unique milling program allows students to experience the full process from …

Today we’re catching up with Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association Executive Director Sheila Everhart. She's working on quite a few exciting things this spring from networking events for farmers all the way to an awards banquet featuring some of the farmers we’ve talked to in this series. First, Sheila has an update on the specialty crop block…

Cattlemen are anxious in 2025 over available inventory, and now new tariffs targeting their markets. Bob Bosold visits with NCBA President Buck Wehrbein. Wehrbein was a guest at the WI Cattlemen's Winter Conference. It's a messy Wednesday around Wisconsin. Some schools are closed because of snow, other areas of the state are getting measurable rain…

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is sounding the alarm. It sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking Secretary Brooke Rollins to immediately release funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The program froze, and the stoppage of nearly $29 million dollars stands to impact 420 dairy businesses nationwide. Hidden…

The Wisconsin State Climatology Office and the National Weather Service are calling on residents to become citizen scientists. Throughout March and beyond, Wisconsinites can help by becoming official rainfall reporters and weather observers. “We want everyone to take part in collecting weather data,” said Bridget Mason, Assistant State Climatologis…

Gov. Tony Evers directed another $5 million in federal funds to support the expanded Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Program. Evers created an expanded Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Program in 2022, using federal funding to help support more private well owners and increase access to clean drinking water, including expan…

Tariffs are in effect on Canadian energy of 10 percent. Petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy says the price hike may trickle down to the end-user in the weeks ahead. He notes that not all regions of the U.S. will feel the impact equally if at all, even though Canada is our largest supplier of crude. De Haan argues against the idea that t…

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Master of Science in Design + Innovation program is making a difference through its Design Horizon initiative. Inspired by the Wisconsin Idea, this initiative helps students create solutions that benefit people, animals, and plants across the state. “We’ve expanded our focus to explore how design can support al…

Rick Roden is one of the dairy farmers that make up the board of directors for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. On his family operation in Washington County, communication is key. Roden's found out that the messages that Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin creates and uses to promote the state's dairy products are effective, and well received. Roden visits with …

Mid-State Technical College will host this year’s Wisconsin Technical College System Ag Day Celebration in conjunction with its annual Farm Tour on Tuesday, March 11. The events will be held in the Marshfield area from 7:30 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. Exact times vary based on Farm Tour pick-up location. The public is invited to register for a day…

Today’s dairy industry demands grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The 2025 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers will deliver two days of world-class programming, leading researchers, experts, and dairy suppliers, and networking opportunities for dairy producers to “dial it in” for success. …

Nothing about succession planning is easy and it’s often difficult to take the next steps in the process – whatever that may mean for you, your family and your farm. Tax implications and legacies are not simple matters to discuss. Join Brooke Didier Starks, estate planning attorney, as she brings a candid, down-to-earth style that will help you get…

Two years ago, Wisconsin started expanding its mesonet - a network of weather stations across the state to track valuable forecast and soil data. Chris Kucharik is a professor of plant and agroecosystem sciences at UW-Madison leading the expansion of what's called Wisconet thanks to dollars from the USDA and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation…

Wisconsin farmers are some of the investors in soy-based firefighting foam. It's finding great success with fire departments across the United States and right here in Wisconsin as well. Bob Bosold discusses the product and the process of developing it with Dave Gourlie, Chris Turner and Jason Wiley. A warm up starts our week, but moisture's also c…

Jane Stevens began specializing in herbs in 1981 after earning her Horticulture degree from UW-Madison. In 1987 she began Four Elements Organic Herbals, continuing to grow herbs used for wellbeing. Grown and harvested on her 130-acre farm in the Baraboo Bluff of Wisconsin, products are sold throughout the country. Stevens was featured in the 2025 T…

It is the time of year when temperatures are starting to rise, and sap is starting to flow from the maple trees. Jim Adamski with the Adamski Sugar Bush out of Antigo says that early indications are that the syrup production for the year will be good. He shares that the only things that would change the sap would be high temperatures and longer day…

The folks you rely on to tell you if there’s going to be a snow day at school or flooding in your area get a lot of key information from you. The National Weather Service relies on volunteer weather observers to provide real-time weather data. Tim Halbach is the warning coordination meteorologist for NWS-Milwaukee. He says they’ve got a lot of tech…

With rising food prices and uncertainties in the agricultural industry, now is the perfect time to support local farmers by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A CSA works like a produce subscription box, allowing members to receive a share of a farm’s fresh produce throughout the growing season. "CSA is a win-win model," said …

Recently President Donald Trump has been carrying out his mass deportation plan to stop the spread of fentanyl into the U.S. This is troublesome for farmers though as many use immigrants as their labor force. Kelly Wilfert, a farm law outreach specialist with extension, gives tips on how to protect your farm and workers if ICE knocks on your door. …

Corey Geiger, lead economist in the dairy segment at CoBank, highlights the critical role of Mexico as the United States’ largest dairy trading partner, purchasing 25% of U.S. dairy exports, including 38% of its nonfat dry milk. While Mexican dairy production is growing, it still falls short of meeting domestic demand, keeping U.S. exports strong. …

The Wisconsin Biofuels, Corn Growers, and Soybean Associations hosted a lobby day at the State Capitol this week. Roughly 35 farmers met with over a dozen lawmakers to advance policies that support renewable fuels, such as ethanol. Randy Hughes was among them. He grows corn, soybeans, and specialty crops in Rock County. Two of the items he brought …

As the leading financial services provider for agriculture and rural communities in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Compeer's financial advisors understand agriculture, the challenges and the opportunities. Megan Roberts, Principal Quantitative Analyst with Compeer Financial, talks with Pam Jahnke about an upcoming webinar designed to help avoid…

The equipment manufacturing industry has been in a tough spot the last few years with low farm incomes and a decrease in demand for new equipment, and it just got even harder with tariffs on aluminum and steel. Kip Eideberg, the Vice President of Government and Industry Relations with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, says that the supply…

The Wisconsin Biofuels Association, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, and Wisconsin Soybean Association hosted a lobby day at the State Capitol this week. Roughly 35 farmers met with over a dozen lawmakers to advance policies that support renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. Sara Stelter, past president of the Wisconsin Soybean Associa…

Consumers run into a lot of labels, but there's one that's unique to Wisconsin vegetables that's worth paying attention to. Deana Knuteson is a scientist with the Plant Pathology Department at UW-Madison. She talks to Stephanie Hoff. She's been coordinating the Healthy Grown program for more than two decades. Healthy Grown helps farmers promote the…

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is sounding the alarm. It sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking Secretary Brooke Rollins to immediately release funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The program froze this week. The stoppage of nearly $29 million dollars stands to impact 420 dairy businesses nationwide. …

The highly anticipated U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is set to take place from March 4-6 in Green Bay. This prestigious event brings together cheese makers, judges, and industry professionals from across the country to celebrate excellence in cheese craftsmanship. Eric Vorpahl, Director of Procurement – Bulk Cheese & Risk Management for Masters …

Pictured: The back window of the new Can-Am Defender features a custom mural of photos from past Racine County Fair memories. Milwaukee PowerSports and Can-Am completed a grant for the Racine County Fair, resulting in the fair receiving a brand-new 2025 Can-Am Defender 6×6 UTV. This donation will help the Racine County Fair ensure that the event ru…

It looks like the warmer weather will continue today, according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. Fair season is one of the favorites for Wisconsinites, and it takes a lot to make sure they are entertaining every year. Charitee Seebecker talks with Jayme Buttke, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, on how they're working to keep fa…

The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and camaraderie in the cheese industry. Contest Coordinator Kirsten Strohmenger emphasizes the unique spirit of the event, stating, “It’s a competition, but it’s friendly and encouraging. Cheesemakers take pride in their work while…

Cabin fever can mean you’re cooped up and looking at all the things you want to change about your home. Early spring is when many people are hunting for contractors for a home renovation. Unfortunately, scams, faulty contracts, and bad relationships can lead to expensive problems between homeowners and contractors. Michelle Reinen is the administra…