MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Putting together a menu of school lunches for students to enjoy isn't as simple as choosing your favorite dishes. Caitlin Harrison is the Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District. She says it's a complex dance of balancing nutritional guidelines, student preferences, and school budgets. She tells Kiley Allan where she begins the process.

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The growers of America's favorite vegetable are back in the field for harvest. Heidi Alsum-Randall joins us, she's the Chief Operating Officer at Alsum Farms & Produce. She tells Kiley Allan what this year's harvest has had in store.

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The Wisconsin potato harvest has been underway for a few weeks.  How does it look?  Kiley Allan gets a grower perspective from Heidi Alsum-Randall, Chief Operating Officer at Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland.  Alsum-Randall says the company is having a high-quality potato harvest, utilizing integrated pest management and new precision drones to scout fields and target pesticide applications only where needed. She says French fries remain the top potato product in the U.S. (where potatoes have  been named the favorite vegetable for nine straight years), with frozen  processing projected to grow 1% annually as processors experiment with  new cuts and scrap utilization. The global market is highly competitive and costly, though European potato production saw significant drops last year, including double-digit declines in countries like Germany, France, and Poland. While the Russet Burbank remains the leading variety for fries, processors are adopting new potato varieties that offer higher bruise resistance and ideal gravity/sugar levels.Consumer perception of potato healthiness is improving nationwide, supported by industry outreach highlighting potatoes as rich sources of vitamin C and fiber.

There is rain in the forecast, but so far it has manifested itself on radar.  Stu Muck explains what has to happen for that rain to really materialize, and where.

Walk into most elementary school classrooms and you're likely to see a white board, staplers, erasers - stuff like that.  Walk into a third grade classroom in Green Bay and you'll see chickens!  Not just for a day - but everyday!  They're the teaching tool for Ashley VandenBush.  She teaches third grade at Father Allouez Catholic School in Green Bay. VandenBush did not grow up on a farm, but as a student teacher, she realized very little is taught about Wisconsin agriculture. She educated herself about agriculture so she could share what she learned with her third graders. Early on, she was dismayed when asking the kids about where there food comes from, which prompted her to add lessons in agriculture to her curriculum each year. This led to her class not only adopting a cow, but more recently they adopted chickens! The chickens are IN THE CLASSROOM, so the kids have to care for them. And during the Brown County Fair in August, several of her students took the chickens to the fair. Teri Barr takes us on this unique classroom tour.

Wisconsin ag lenders are keeping an eye on farms bottom line.  Rose Oswald Poels, President and CEO of the WI Bankers Association says right now there's no cause for alarm, but the state's crop farmers are facing some really depressed prices.

Normally when it comes to gauging cheese prices, the Wisconsin markets eyes look to Europe.  Katie Burgess, dairy analyst with EverAg tells Pam Jahnke that normally the EU would dictate the direction of global cheese prices.  However, lately New Zealand's been stealing the spotlight with lower cheese prices while the EU's go up.  Burgess says that's a concern since a lot of WI/US cheese has found solid markets in Australia.  Given the proximity New Zealand is to that country/continent - it bears monitoring.

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Lonnie Holthaus from MilkHaus Dairy discusses his family's journey into the A2 cheese market and the financial advice they received from the Food Finance Institute with Larry Lee from the Mid-West Farm Report.

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Generosity of beef producers and the consumers that love it is apparent in Wisconsin!  The Wisconsin Beef Council has just concluded its first-ever "United in Beef" t-shirt campaign.  According to Kaitlyn Kessler, Director of Communications & Outreach for the Wisconsin Beef Council, they're getting ready to send high quality beef snack sticks to multiple Boys and Girls Club locations across the state. That's thanks in large part to generous supporters that purchased "United by Beef" t-shirts!  The shirts weave the story of the 250th birthday of the United States with imagery connecting beef producers.

Also in studio, Andy Gussert, State Director of the WI Boys and Girls Club.  Gussert explains why this partnership is meaningful.  He notes that club locations stretch beyond the urban centers of Wisconsin.  He says this is not just an urban audience.  Gussert notes that they're serving over 138,500 youth, and two-two thirds are outside Milwaukee & Madison. Most clubs do gardening and hydroponics.

Listen in as they discuss the synergy between the two groups bringing high quality beef snacks to those young, hungry minds.

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The pause button has been pressed on tariffs keeping foreign beef from entering the U.S. marketplace.  The window of opportunity is scheduled for 90 days, but it's 90 days of anxiety for beef producers and consumers.  Teri Barr talks with Darren VonRuden, president of the WI Farmers Union about the subject.  American beef producers worry this could upset the financial apple cart they're working with to try and rebuild the domestic herd.  At the same time, consumers want to know where this beef's coming from, how it was grown and inspected, and where it's going to be used in the U.S. food system.  Some things we know.  Many things we dont'.  Michelle Rameriz-White, Government Relations Director at WFU says she hasn't found out if this will actually help consumers.

A little rain moving in this morning to start what will be a scorching hot day.  Stu Muck explains that the heat will stick around, and so may the chance of rain.  Watch for thunderstorms.

While farmer growers may shake their fist at weeds, the conversations those weeds inspire help direct weed research in WI.  Pam Jahnke finds out that Dr. Rodrigo Werle, UW-Madison Extension finds research inspiration from those spirited conversations.  He says this is the time of the year he counts on WI farmers to share their challenges and what they're seeing with remaining weed pressures.  It may turn into the research projects he focuses on next year.

Now that the EPA has spoken, the renewable fuel industry is reacting. Geoff Cooper, the president and CEO of The Renewable Fuels Association, says it's a missed opportunity - one that should infuriate grain growers in the U.S.

Right now Wisconsin is awash with fresh produce.  From backyard gardens to farm fields, there's a lot of opportunity to capture summer flavors that can stretch through the winter and longer - if processed properly.  Kiley Allan finds out there's some new partnerships to help disseminate the information home canners are looking for.   Heather Quakenboss, UW-Madison Extension Human Development & Relationships Educator says UW Extension is partnering with Iowa State Extension.  The goal is to provide a resource people can call with any preservation questions they have.  The number is 1-866-540-4636.

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Economist Corey Geiger discusses the imbalance between protein and butterfat, which is causing challenges for dairy processors as consumer protein demand rises.

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I'm guessing when you think of biofuels you don't think of boats.  Well that could be changing!  Jill Welke found out how biofuels are making its way into boats through marine ethanol.  Adrian Tolson, Chair of the International Bunker Industry Association and owner of 2050 Marine energy is optimistic about ethanol use in ships. Tolson says maritime decarbonisation and exploring the potential role of ethanol as an alternative marine fuel is an exciting proposition. He also says there are steps necessary to make it happen. Those steps needed involve fuel producers, technology providers, shipowners, ports, and policymakers.

Hot and sticky describes the way we begin September.  Stu Muck also explains where the rainfall in the forecast is likely land.

When a farm or family experience an auction, or a land sale, they're faced with some tax questions.  How can they manage this sudden surge in income?  Can they use it to build for the future?  Ashly Huhn from the Steffes Group explains the tools they make available to help that transition happen.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Three Wisconsin Jersey operators captured national attention at the American Jersey Convention in Springfield, MO.  Pam Jahnke congratulates Jazzy Jersey's in Lodi, Glacier Ridge Dairy in Milton and All-Lynn Jersey in Reedsburg.

So the markets have plenty of topics for conversation today!  The latest crop progress report is out getting reaction.  EPA has just ruled that some small and mid-sized refiners are getting a pass on biofuels blends.  What's that doing to trade.  Plus the beef import issue hits front and center today.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tackles them all.

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With fertilizer costs as high as they are, it's important for the growers using those inputs to know exactly what they do. Bob Bosold learns a little something about nitrogen from Dr. Steven Hall.  Hall is the lab’s Principal Investigator and is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at UW-Madison. He explains to Bob Bosold the principals of nitrogen fertilizer and why Wisconsin farmers sometimes find it difficult to keep in place.

The heat returns to Wisconsin as we roll into September.  It also brings with it some rain events. Stu Muck gets us started with the week outlook.

There's plenty of questions circling the issue of imported beef bound for Wisconsin.  Producers are worried it will upset their already struggling "rebuild" of the U.S. beef industry.  Consumers have questions about the quality of this beef coming in and where it will end up.  Teri Barr brings it all together in a conversation with Darren VonRuden, President of the WI Farmers Union.

While consumers wonder about the beef at the grocery store, parents wonder if beef will be offered at the school lunch program.  Constraints on what food can be offered and at what price point are just a few of the challenges that Caitlin Harrison sees.  She's the director of food and nutrition services at Elmbrook School District west of Milwaukee.  She says given the federal reimbursement levels they're facing, they have about $1-2 per tray to actually spend on food.  Kiley Allen gets more details on what ends up on those trays and why.

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Farmers are more than a little frustrated that they still don't have a farm bill.  Farm Bill 2.0 still has signs of life according to Mike Stranz, VP of Policy for the National Farmers Union (and a WI native).  Stranz says it's going to be a big challenge to try and maneuver through the obstacles that have stalled this bill, not the least of which is allocation of SNAP - supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Beautiful weather for whatever you want to do this weekend.  Stu Muck says you should prepare for a little increase in heat beginning next week.

Cleaning out the combine before you move to the next field is important for weed control next year.  Dan Smith, UW-Madison Extension Outreach Specialist tells Pam Jahnke that taking 30 minutes to blow out weed seeds before you move to the next field is a big deal.  Smith says it's also worth money to ask your custom operator to do the same before they come in, or move on.

We continue to recognize our century farm families.  Today, sharing the Bohn family story.  Their farm in southeast WI had an interesting twist according to Lynn Bohn, one of the great grand daughters.   From family stories, it was told that they found an 80-acre farm on the south side of West Bend, but her great grandma was hesitant to acquire it. From additional research, they found that the farm had been owned by Carl and Katherine Schloemer but had been passed on to their son, Edward. He; his brother, Louis; and their sister, Marie or Mary, as she was also known, lived on the farm when, on December 31, 1913, Marie died from tuberculosis, allegedly going away for treatment but ultimately dying at home. On January 30, 1914, the farm was sold to Frank Day, a real estate salesman who bought and sold many properties in Washington County. The Bohn family became interested in the property on the corner of Hwy. P and Rusco Road. However, Great Grandma Bohn did not want the property purchased given TB had been in the house. At that time, people thought they could catch TB from a house that had a person sick with TB inside the house.  Just an example of how business decisions could be influenced years ago.  Century and sesquicentennial farm stories are shared courtesy of Compeer Financial.

Wisconsin is expected to harvest between 65-68,000 acres of potatoes and it has already started.  Kiley Allan gets an update from Heidi Alsum-Randall, CFO of Alsum Farms in Freisland.  She says weather is cooperating right now.  All the potatoes they're harvesting are being immediately washed and bagged for the fresh market.  Their strategy will change as the season unfolds.  Alsum' will plan to store a big part of their 2026 crop well into the spring of 2027.

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