You've likely heard us talk throughout the month about becoming a rainfall reporter through the National Weather Service's Rain Gauge Rally. But how did this initiative come to be? It all started when the National Weather Service partnered with a creative group of University of Wisconsin-Madison students to develop a fresh and engaging way to encourage people to get involved. One of those students, Morgan Knilans, joined Pam Jahnke to share how the project came to life.

To join the network, visit www.cocorahs.org. Volunteers can sign up online or contact a regional coordinator for more information. Reporting is flexible, allowing participants to contribute as often as they prefer.

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The Carbon, Crops + Cows program, hosted by Professional Dairy Producers, helps farmers measure and manage sustainability metrics while exploring future opportunities and challenges. This one-day event will be held on March 25 in Kewaunee, and March 26 in Sun Prairie, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch and materials provided. Executive Director Shelly Mayer has the details.

Learn more: https://pdpw.org/

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With weather starting to warm up farmers are thinking about the upcoming planting season. One of the top questions ahead of planting is whether a field should be tilled or cultivated or not. Francisco Arriaga a soil science specialist with UW-Extension says that whenever possible do not till. Choosing not to till allows nutrients to stay within the soil to better this year's crop while also decreasing erosion. He does say that if there are wet spots in a field that tilling in those spots can help dry the soil for planting and can be beneficial if the rest of the field is ready to be planted. Tilling can also be helpful if there is a large problem with weeds within the field. Arriaga also gives insight into the best practices for a field if planting season gets pushed late due to wet weather.

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Typically, through mid-March Wisconsin has around 30-50 wildfires. This year the state has seen 227. Jolene Ackerman the wildland urban program coordinator with the DNR says that an unusually dry winter may be to blame. Ackerman also says that recent warm days have led to more outdoor activities and burns that have broken containment. She also gives details on the DNR's course of action when a fire is reported as well as some safety tips for those doing a burn themselves.

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Sarah Hagenow, Poynette, feels at home in Wisconsin’s agricultural industry and enjoys telling the stories of its hard-working people. She is a senior at the University of Minnesota and will graduate with a degree in agricultural and food business management and a minor in international agriculture. Hagenow’s youth was characterized by involvement in 4-H and FFA, which spurred her to join the Gopher Dairy Club, Agricultural Business Club, Agricultural Mentor Program, and the dairy cattle judging team at college. Hagenow has held internships with Heatherstone Enterprises, Viking Dairy Company, the Minnesota State Senate, and the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

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Olivia Lulich, Lyndon Station, currently teaches agricultural education at Viroqua Area Schools. She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture education. There she held leadership roles in Block and Bridle, National Agri-Marketing Association, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors, and the International Sales Team. As a 4-H and FFA member, she owned, raised, and showed beef cattle and market lambs. She has interned with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the National Western Stock Show, and DATCP. Today, Lulich Show Stock, co-owned with her brother, sells beef cattle throughout the Midwest.

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Rain Gauge Rally 2025 continues with the National Weather Service asking the general public to engage as rainfall reporters and weather observers. Ben Jarboe finds out more about the staff behind the forecast by talking to Sarah Marquardt, Senior Service Hydrologist / Meteorologist in the NWS office in Sullivan.  She explains how they network with other forecasters to pool information and knowledge for the best outcomes.

The first day of spring is dealing a mix of precipitation across Wisconsin according to Stu Muck, meteorologist.

Crawford County is at work pulling together final details for the 2025 Alice in Dairyland finals May 15-17.  It's the first time the county has hosted this event according to Carol Roth, chair of the county host committee.  She tells Stephanie Hoff that they had to commit not only to a great program - but also to substantial fund raising to act as host.

E-15 looks closer than ever for year round use according to Patrick Seyer, vice president of the Missouri Corn Growers Association.  He says one of the reasons it's looking better is because oil companies are embracing the current approach to offering the fuel year-round.  

Tonight anyone interested in the future of Wisconsin dairy is welcome at a public forum in Baraboo.  Matt Ruark is the faculty director for the Dairy Innovation Hub.  This program is funded to the tune of $7.2 million annually by the state of Wisconsin to encourage collaboration between UW-Madison, UW-River Falls and UW-Platteville in developing research that will propel Wisconsin dairy for the next generation.  Ruark explains the successes he's seen.

Matt Tranel, dairy specialist with EverAg in Platteville, joins Pam Jahnke.  Cheese prices have been all over the map, but the U.S. remains competitive! Tranel highlights observations between the U.S., Europe and New Zealand. Friday we'll get another look at milk production, and while Tranel doesn't expect a huge change - he does expect more milk.

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Calving season can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging times on the farm. Ensuring healthy deliveries and strong calves requires preparation, vigilance, and the right tools on hand. Charitee Seebecker gets some tips from veterinarian, Dr. Angela Garavet, with Armor Animal Health says that with unpredictable weather and unexpected complications always a possibility, knowing what steps to take can make all the difference.

Wild weather on its way to Wisconsin.  Stu Muck tells us we'll start with rain today and gusty winds, but that changes to snow and sleet overnight.

Auction volumes are climbing quickly for the Steffes Group.  Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke that their catalog is out, and the number of sales in a DAY is escalating.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

USDA announced on National Ag Day that $10 billion in farmer assistance is headed to the country.  Pam Jahnke explains that USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is launching the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP).  Local FSA offices will electronically fill out the paperwork for growers and then send it their way for review and signature.

New research is out on the nutritional value of beef in everyone's diets - young or senior.  Dr. Shalene McNeil from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the WI Beef Council joins Pam Jahnke with updated efforts on sharing this information with healthcare advisors and medical providers.  Vaassen also notes what they're doing in Wisconsin to convey the health messages to young athletes.  Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.

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Farmers now have a new opportunity to improve their crop yields with the launch of BASF’s Real Results Yield Challenge. This initiative aims to show how fungicides can protect yields and maximize returns.

Recent USDA data shows that average crop yields were down 5% in late 2024. "We heard many farmers express regret over missed fungicide applications that impacted their yields," said Brady Spangenberg, Marketing Director for Crop Protections with BASF US Agricultural Solutions. "By planning ahead, growers can reduce this risk and avoid those disappointing results."

Farmers can join the Real Results Yield Challenge by working with their retailer to plan trials on their fields. Both experienced users and first-time participants are encouraged to explore new spray patterns, rates, or application methods like aerial or drone spraying. BASF will support the chemical costs for qualifying trials.

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Challenges on the farm? Maybe your mind first moves to equipment malfunctions, animal health, or crop conditions. Weather and markets probably top the list, too. But Farm Management Outreach Specialist Stephanie Plaster says more and more families struggle with navigating child care and health insurance options. She calls these "hidden challenges" on farms.

Stephanie is hosting a workshop on how to address child care and health insurance needs at the Marshfield Public Library on March 26.

The Health Insurance Training will teach participants how to connect health and insurance to farm and family well-being, manage health insurance as part of farm risk, explore insurance options, and budget for insurance costs. The Child Care Training will help participants understand the impact of childcare on farm life, integrate child care into farm risk management, design family-friendly farm enterprises, and budget for child care costs.

Learn more: https://extension.wisc.edu/family/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D180687756 

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