Wisconsin Custom Operators have elected John Osterhaus as their new President. Osterhouse owns and operates Silver Streak Ag Services based in Chadwick, Illinois, a custom forage harvesting company serving primarily Northern and Northwestern Illinois. While he may be in Illinois, he has been involved with Wisconsin Custom Operators for nearly a decade and has some big plans for the year ahead.

Wisconsin Custom Operators has had some wins in legislation this past year but John says he’s not done yet as he tells us more about how the industry is doing.

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Protecting the soil, the water, and the farm for generations to come is something consumers are increasingly interested in. And it’s what Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers are actively doing. One of the programs that helps support these growers is the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Potatoes program. Deana Knuteson is a researcher out of the Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences Department at UW-Madison. She’s been working with the potato industry for about 30 years. She’s been engaged with the Healthy Grown Potatoes program since it started more than two decades ago. She says they continue to welcome new growers into the program. Learn more at the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association website: https://wisconsinpotatoes.com/healthy-grown/

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Just because we don't see anything growing now doesn't mean plans aren't being made for when planting season begins.  Charitee Seebecker visits with Tess Romanski, staff member with FairShare CSA in Madison about subscription farming, and why signing up early is key.  Romanski says being a subscription farmer requires a lot of planning - planning that's already underway.

WI corn growers and ethanol producers are continuing to ask for financial assistance from the state to upgrade gas pumps and allow for more E-15 fuel to be distributed to consumers across the state.  Cal Dalton, corn grower from Pardeeville, says blender pumps are expensive, and the financial help is important.

Randy Cath catches up with Pam Jahnke on livestock sales already scheduled on their calendar for this spring.  Cath says there's some adjustments happening across the midwest in livestock operations.  Some dairy operators retire to beef, or may exit production agriculture entirely.  At the same time there's buyers looking to stock up.  Program paid for by Steffes Group auctions.

Tressa Lacy from Rio is the new president of the WI Cattlemen's Association, and despite the name - Lacy wants more women to find their voice in the organization.  She says there's at least 10,000 beef producers in Wisconsin but that number's not reflected in their membership.

Meanwhile the WI Beef Council is asking what beef producers want done with their financial contributions made through the beef checkoff.  Grace Link, compliance officer with the WI Beef Council says they're conducting a survey now to find out.  She also explains to Pam Jahnke that the more producers know about how their money is spent, the more value and comfort they feel about the checkoff.  Paid for by the WI Beef Council.

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Over 200 FFA members flocked to the state capitol on Monday to talk about vocational agriculture education and the organization they represent.  Jill Welke caught up with several members of the Chippewa Falls FFA.  While some were ready to talk issues, others were prepared to share their personal stories on FFA involvement with legislators.Today is FFA Day of Giving.  The financial goal this year is $50,000 within the state.

Greg Bussler, WI State Ag Statistician, talks with Pam Jahnke about some of the overlooked crops produced in the state.  During the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, Bussler says Wisconsin hit the number 1 spot for edible beet production, and harvested more than 3,200 acres of Chinese peas!

The WI Forage Symposium wrapped up with good attendance on Wednesday.  Charitee Seebecker was there and talked with the new president of the Wisconsin Custom Operators Association.  John Osterhaus owns and operates Silver Streak Ag Services based in Chadwick, Illinois, a custom forage harvesting company serving primarily Northern and Northwestern Illinois. While he may be in Illinois, he has been involved with Wisconsin Custom Operators  for nearly a decade and has some big plans for the year ahead.While that conference wraps, another begins.

Stephanie Hoff previews the largest organic farming conference in North America - starting today in LaCrosse.  Lori Stern is the executive director of Marbleseed, the hosting organization.  Stern says they'll focus a lot of attention on available funding and resources to help conventional farmers enter the organic realm.

January milk production across the 24 major dairy producing states slipped a percentage point this year.  Wisconsin on the other hand, saw production go up 1%.  Katie Burgess, broker analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to take a closer look at what the numbers say.

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The Wisconsin Beef Council is working hard to make sure all beef producers, including those dairy operations that market calves, steers and cull cows, know how their checkoff contributions are being used.

Grace Link, compliance officer with the Wisconsin Beef Council, says they're circulating a survey to growers statewide asking for their input.  Link says they've found the more producers know about where their money is focused, the better they feel about the investment.

Link stresses that they work with very strict guidelines on how money can be used.  Every dime must be channeled toward research, education and promotion.  For any beef producer that hasn't already seen, or filled out one of the survey's, you can find them on the Wisconsin Beef Council website.

Link says they'll also be physically meeting with producers at upcoming beef workshops and at Equity Cooperative Livestock district meetings.

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Options to buying a home in rural Wisconsin just got a little easier with Compeer Financials groundbreaking First-Time Homebuyer Program, designed eliminate barriers like down payments and Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) costs.

Compeer’s Rural Living Solutions (RLS) team is proud to unveil this innovative financing option, catering specifically to those seeking to purchase a home for the first time. With the RLS First-Time Homebuyer Program, prospective buyers can access up to $400,000 in financing to purchase homes situated in small towns and rural areas within Compeer’s territory.

What sets this program apart from conventional loans is its unique offering of a 0% down payment requirement and the exclusion of PMI expenses. These financial barriers often stand in the way of aspiring homeowners, but Compeer’s program aims to make the dream of homeownership a reality.

Pam Jahnke visits with loan officer, Steve Leffew.  He's a member of the Rural Living Solutions team.

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Wisconsin Farm Bureau is sounding the alarm over ordinances and ballot initiatives that have been seen in other states finding their way to Wisconsin. The organization says laws like California's Proposition 12 proliferating in other states would have detrimental effects on food supplies, farms, and dinner tables. That's why WFBF is advocating for Protect Our Farms, AB 957 / SB 892. This bill would protect farms from activist-driven local ordinances that attempt to dictate the protocols and procedures that farmers set to meet the needs of their farms. Executive Director of Governmental Relations Jason Mugnaini and Crawford County farmer AV Roth talk about the regulatory environment in the U.S., and what state legislation could solve here in Wisconsin.

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When you’re thinking about what to make for dinner, do you consider cow tongue, liver or kidneys? Probably not- but these cuts are highly sought after in other countries. Dean Meyer, Past chair of the us meat export federation explains how they’re working to create new market opportunities for Wisconsin agriculture.

“At USMEF, we don’t key in one country,” explains Dean Meyer, Past chair of the US Meat Export Federation. “With 19 offices around the world and a presence in 80 countries, we’re flexible. We can swiftly redirect products to alternative markets when necessary due to factors like inflationary issues and currency fluctuations.”

With cattle numbers being low, Meyer says their strategy lies in the diversification of meat products, particularly focusing on underutilized cuts and variety meat.

“By adding value to cuts such as tongues, livers, and kidneys, USMEF opens doors to markets like Japan and Mexico. So we aren't taking away from the US consumer, but instead we're adding value to the cuts that we don't consume here.”

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It’s a reality for some people that the only animal they’ve ever come into contact with is their pet. That was the case for Briana Bateman, who had not had a farm interaction until her 20s. It was her love for sustainable food and cute animals that drove her to start a national sheep shearing business. She tells us about her journey from the suburbs to production agriculture.

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Air BNB, VRBO, even glamping!  These are all phrases that people have become familiar with as travel options.  Now add a new one - Harvest Host.  Joel Holland is the CEO of Harvest Host, an opportunity to experience different vistas and terrain in your RV.  Holland and his wife spent two years traveling around the lower 48 states trying to see "everything".  Holland said they got bored with the regular RV parks - and came up with the Harvest Host concept.  Today it features hundreds of cooperators across the United States including 6 right here in Wisconsin.  He explains the situation to Pam Jahnke.

This warmer weather has Wisconsin potato growers on high alert.  Not for spring planting, but for continued potato storage. 

If you're a first time home buyer that wants a little piece of rural paradise, do your homework.  That's the advice of Steve Leffew, loan officer from Compeer Financial.  Tomorrow they're hosting a webinar to help first time rural home buyers navigate the process, and also introduce them to a new zero down payment option through Compeer. Paid for by Compeer Financial.

March first is the deadline for applications honoring century and sesquicentennial farms and homes across the state.  Charitee Seebecker visits with Jill Albanese from the WI State Fair about the program origins and what you need to do.

After a three day weekend, traders are back at it in Chicago.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend rounds up the headlines traders are focused on today.  China gave them something to discuss when they lowered interest rates overnight.

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