MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels with the Wisconsin Bankers Association discusses the current stress in the agriculture economy with Mid-West Farm Report's Larry Lee.

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300,000 tons of imported ground beef will enter the U.S. during the next 90-days, starting September 1. But, Wisconsin farmers have questions ranging from food safety -- to what happens after the temporary plan ends. Teri Barr talks with Vernon County farmer Darin Von Ruden to learn why there are concerns about the beef following recent health issues from other imported foods, and if the inspection process will really work.   

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What started as a farm where his father raised beef and pigs has become a 130-cow dairy powered by robotic milking technology, and a vision for the next generation.

Jason Baroun expanded the operation after taking over his family's farm, purchasing the neighboring dairy, bringing the property together. Today, Baroun handles much of the farm’s fieldwork and equipment work while continuing the family tradition of keeping the operation in his family's hands.

His father passed away in 2007, so he never saw the transformation. But Baroun believes he would be impressed that the family has not only maintained the farm, but continued to improve it.

Now, his own son is showing interest in carrying it forward.

For this farmer, that's the real measure of success. A farm isn't truly preserving its legacy if it can't give the next generation a reason to believe in its future.

Find more of our farm family stories on our website: midwestfarmreport.com

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A Washington County farm has survived wars, the Great Depression and generations of change — all while staying in the same family for more than a century. 

The Bohn family farm near West Bend has a history dating back to 1914, when George “Ben” and Veronica Bohn purchased an 80-acre farm on the corner of Highway P and Rusco Road. The farm transitioned over the years, from horses to tractors, added electricity and plumbing, and produced dairy cattle, chickens, crops and even hemp during World War II. Today, some of the land is being rented to others, but the entire property remains in the Bohn family -- Lynne Bohn, Davette Hrabak, Judith Hayton, and Maryann Bohn. They are marking 112 years of family ownership and earning their Century Farm recognition together.

You can find more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

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The Woock family has adapted to changing times while keeping its farm in the family for more than 150 years. Every generation has helped carry the tradition forward -- from farming with horses and milking cows by hand to using self-steering tractors and raising beef cattle.

Today, four generations of the family are still part of Woock Acres, including the grandfather, his son, grandson, and now a newborn great-granddaughter. This makes the 150-year milestone both a special family honor and a hopeful look toward the future. 

Find more of our family farm stories on our website: midwestfarmreport.com

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While neither Deirdre Birmingham nor her husband grew up in agriculture, they both had the common interest of growing a farm business. Her degrees in agriculture and an opportunity to purchase farmland in the Driftless area gave birth to The Cider Farm. She dives into the unique philosophy they have on making cider.

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Brian Kuhl defines a hazard as anything that could ultimately injure or potentially kill an individual. Alternatively, he says it can also be something that interrupts our way of business or our ability to get business done. He's the president and chief executive officer of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, an organization that's key focus is to provide educational resources to keep children in rural America safe. With that in mind, Brian gives Kiley Allan a rundown of some of the most common everyday hazards on a farm.

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The challenge with the H-2A guest worker program is fairly simple for Wisconsin dairy farmers. Cows don’t take a seasonal break. H-2A visas can provide agricultural employers with a reliable source of temporary labor. But dairy farms often have trouble qualifying because workers are needed year-round.

Sam Moheban, an immigration specialist with Ruder Ware in Wausau, tells Pam Jahnke about a new proposal and how it could help farmers with their labor issues.  

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Tim and Ayla Guild from East Troy, Wisconsin launched their new business in 2018 with some guidance from the Food Finance Institute.

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When you see headlines about international topics, you can feel disconnected.  Wisconsin dairy farmers and processors are very "connected" to discussions around USMCA, specifically Canada trade negotiations.  Today it appears momentum has slowed.  That's a worry according to Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the Dairy Export Council.  Harden tells Pam Jahnke that both markets are critically important to U.S. dairy.  She explains the relationships with both, starting with Mexico.

Maybe a rumble of thunder here or there this morning, but otherwise a brilliant day ahead.  Stu Muck says this stretch of sunny warm weather should continue into the weekend.

Most of the insect issues are in the rear view mirror for Wisconsin farmers, but there's still something to be learned.  Larry Lee gets a season update from Krista Hamilton, entomologist with the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection.  Hamilton says corn rootworm numbers were a big topic of conversation this year and may influence what seed farmers decide to go with in 2027.

Putting a face with food has long been a goal for the Hunger Task Force. Today, through a more than 2-million-dollar grant Hunger Task Force is buying all types of produce from small- to-medium-sized locally based farms. The food, produce is then passed on to food pantries and non-profit organizations across the state -- more than 200 are now involved across close to 60counties!  Teri Barr talks with Matt King, CEO of the Hunger Task Force about the efforts.  He says feedback is beyond positive by everyone involved. 

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