Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

The CoCoRaHS Rain Gauge Rally is under way and it has sparked groups across the state to join in. One of these groups is the Green Lake Association. Jim Goyette is a member of the group and he says it is a great way to know what is happening in your own back yard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff and Heather Hunt, outreach program manager with the UW-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Program, discuss what it takes to judge specialty meats. At the Wisconsin Specialty Meat Championships and the Wisconsin State Fair Meat Products Contest, judges evaluate everything from traditional snack sticks to old-world, artisanal sausage. Heather tells us how judges maintain their palates and why supporting local processors is a lifelong passion for those in the field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety & Inspection Service Administrator Justin Ransom explore the reorganization within the USDA aimed at decentralizing leadership and empowering rural meat processors. Ransom discusses the potential redrawing of "small" and "very small" business designations and how these changes could unlock new federal resources for local entrepreneurs. In addition, there are new overtime fee reductions for processors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Wisconsin farm workers are already active!  Stephanie Hoff finds out how the honeybee population has mobilized from Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, WI State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. During mid-to-late February, nearly every migratory commercial bee colony in the U.S. is located in California for almond pollination. Beyond the risk of "bee spills" (truck accidents), moving bees long distances can lead to hive suffocation or overheating due to improper ventilation. Placing bees in single-crop environments, like almond groves, can lead to nutritional deficiencies because the bees lack a diverse range of pollen and nectar. Much like wood ticks carry Lyme disease to humans, Varroa mites can vector over 20 different viruses to honeybees, including the virulent deformed wing virus. Exposure to pesticides—common near agriculture or golf courses—can lower a bee's immune system, making them more susceptible to viruses and mites. While small flowers are great, "big blooms" from trees an

There may not be any seed in the ground (yet), but Wisconsin is looking at potentially more acres for soybeans this year! Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist says it's a good time to consider entering the 2026 WI Soybean Marketing Board's Yield Contest.  Planning where you want to plant your contest field, the variety you select, seed treatment, fertilizer - are all in the works.  That's ideal if you want to maximize your yield potential. Conley says every year there's more growers from different areas of the state that engage in the contest.  Of course there's cash prizes for the top winners in various categories, but there's also a treasure trove of information everyone wins.  He says in 2025 there were 3 growers that broke the 100 bushel to the acre average.  Sharing that information is another magnet for growers. The contest is funded by farmer checkoff dollars through the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madison, Wisconsin becomes the center of the equine world.  The Midwest Horse Fair returns to the Alliant Energy Center this weekend.  Bob Bosold visits with executive director, Terri Giannetti, talks about the varied horse breeds that will be featured, and some of the hands-on learning opportunities they'll offer.  Giannetti says they're using every available inch of space on the grounds for the show. Wisconsin's picking itself up after a nasty set of storms overnight.  Stu Muck recaps some of the reports, and tells us about more wet weather on the way. It's a Wyffels Wednesday with Brent Tharp, technical products manager for Wyffels Hybrids.  Ben Jarboe discusses planting progress so far in the corn belt, and the wet conditions being faced.  Tharp says patience will pay off.  He's advising not to make any missteps this spring given the cost of seed and fertilizer.  Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids. The American Farm Bureau has released a nationwide survey on fertilizer pri

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.