MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Today's Mid-West Farm Report has information from USDA Under Secretary Dr. Mindy Brashears about aid for meat processors, and John Heinberg from Total Farm Marketing recaps the markets and explains why Brazil's elections are impacting U.S. grain markets.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears discusses new funding opportunities to help Wisconsin expand small meat processing operations and train additional workers for careers in meat processing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers play a crucial role in keeping our natural resources, like our water and soil, healthy. And the folks at the Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference know the importance of keeping farmers at the forefront of that conversation. Laura Paletta, a co-chair for the conference, sits down with Kiley Allan. She says we can expect some exciting speaker panels that feature almost exclusively farmers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus is otherwise known to the pork industry as PEDv. Because of the effect it can have on producers' herds, it was an obvious decision for the Wisconsin Pork Association and the National Pork Board to begin working towards elimination of the virus. Morgan Worek, a pork producer here in Wisconsin and Program Director for the Wisconsin Pork Association, joins Kiley Allan and Marisa Rotolo, the Director of Swine Health at National Pork Board. Morgan says the desire to eliminate the virus began with the producers.

Photo courtesy of National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you say giant pumpkin - we're talking GIANT pumpkin!  Kiley Allan visits with a man whose entire goal has been to raise a 2,000 pound pumpkin.  His name is Brian Turner.  He's been growing giant pumpkins for the last 6 years. After  four years of aiming for a 2,000-pound pumpkin, Bryan Turner achieved a 2,069-pound pumpkin at the Stillwater Harvest Fest, exceeding his calculated estimate of 1,920 pounds.  To improve his growing setup, Turner installed a phone-controlled drip irrigation system with an IBC tote, pump, and sprinkler controller to deliver precise, automated watering 3–4 times daily. Turner documents his six-year journey of giant pumpkin growing under "The Turner Ranch" on social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook), attracting millions of views.

Roof should be open at American Family Field tonight for game one of the World Series.  Stu Muck gives us a few tailgating highlights in the forecast.

Everyone faces energy costs, but farms really get big bills!  Jessica Mlsna is following up on some of the projects they've worked on this year.  As the calendar year starts to close, she reminds partners to get their paperwork in!  Paid for by Focus on Energy.

Wisconsin's already got some winners!  Addison Johnson from the Alma FFA is the National FFA Dairy Production Placement Proficiency award winner at the national convention in Indianapolis.  She explains their farming operation and how the UW Farm and Industry Short Course at River Falls helped her hone her goals.

In Dodge County we visit with the Leb Farm. It's a century farm. Here to tell us the story of the farm is husband and wife, Bob and Mary Loeb, and Bob's sister, Nancy Koenings.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family traditions look a little bit different for everybody. For Olivia Jennrich, her family's tradition is a love for Guernsey cattle. She carries that tradition on now serving as the National Guernsey Queen.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Mid-West Farm Report, Wisconsin Farm Bureau's Jason Mugnaini says farmers have many questions about USDA's newly-announced relief program for high diesel prices, and Bryce Windecker with EA Risk discusses what has milk, cheese, and butter prices going down.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's cheese industry is known for its craftsmanship, but the people behind the cheese have something else to share: knowledge.

Teri Barr talked with Master Cheesemaker Bob Wills during a recent open house at Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain. The celebration -- of award-winning cheese made from both sheep's and cow's milk -- also gave Wills the opportunity to share how a culture of collaboration is supporting newer producers like Beth Anderson, who hopes to make and sell her own cheese someday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During harvest season, farmers work long hours and rely heavily on their equipment, which can strain
resources. FOCUS ON ENERGY® rebates make it more affordable to install energy-efficient equipment, helping farmers get reliable systems that use less energy and keep costs down when work is busiest.

This is also a good time to start planning for next year. As farmers assess their operations, they can
identify where efficiency upgrades will have the biggest impact. Focus on Energy can help plan these
future projects and secure rebates early, making it easier for farms to have a productive year.

Today, Focus on Energy advisor Jessica Mlsna visits with Pam Jahnke on successfully wrapping up your projects and looking forward to 2027.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin has 17 million acres of public and private forested land that provides raw material to the forest products industry.  That's a lot of timber!  You might be surprised how it gets used.  Contrary to popular belief, Wisconsin lumber is not just about 2X4's.  Logan Wells, program director at the Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo tells Pam Jahnke all about it.  The state excels at production of hardwood products you use everyday!  Cabinets, interior trim, hardwood floors and furniture! That's the sweet spot for Wisconsin timber.  But what about the global market and appetite for the state's product?  And what do they do at the Center for Excellence?  Listen in and find out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.