MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The USDA requires retailers to meet certain criteria when it comes to the food they stock, as it relates to the SNAP program. Kiley Allan sat down with Mike Semmann, he's the President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. He explains a rule that was published on May 8th, and while it was effective starting May 7th, the mandatory compliance date is in November. This is because the stocking process for stores often takes a long time to shift and move. He dives into the specifics a little bit more.

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Healthy soil and clean water go hand in hand, and the folks at the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance know that farmers are a critical part of the water quality solution. They work with producers across the basin to implement practices that are good for both their farm and improve water quality. Tim Burns, the Agricultural Conservation Coordinator, joins Kiley Allan.

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Rural Wisconsin needs more attorneys. Pam Jahnke sits down with Farm Law Outreach Specialist, Kelly Wilfert to dive into the issue.

Some thunderstorms rolled through Wisconsin early this morning. Stu Muck tells us if we can expect more to round out the week.

Century and Sesquincentennial Farms have stood the test of time in Wisconsin. At the Mid-West Farm Report, we are honored to have the opportunity to hear the legacy of the families who have built, and are continuing to build, Wisconsin agriculture. Farm Director Pam Jahnke hears the Vogt family's story of their 150 year old farm.There are some "musts" when you go to the Wisconsin State Fair.  It's likely the Milk House makes your list. Teri Barr stopped in for a refreshing glass of their flavored milk!

Pam Jahnke sits down with Revolution Sustainable Solutions to talk about the history of the company, or, as she likes to call it, "the evolution of revolution." Paid for by Revolution

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It isn't easy, but Judy Clark-Mente keeps the show's daily tractor parade moving along every year! Teri Barr talks with the longtime volunteer, advertising coordinator, and club member to learn why she is one of many volunteers helping bring one of Wisconsin’s longtime celebrations of antique tractors, engines, and farm history to life.

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To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Fair, the Wisconsin State Fair Park Foundation unveiled an exclusive, limited-edition Wisconsin State Fair 175th Anniversary Cabin Strength Bourbon produced in partnership with Central Standard Craft Distillery.  Only 75 bottles were made available to celebrate the milestone.  Pam Jahnke finds out more about what the foundation does to benefit experiences at State Fair Park.

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Yes, the farm animals steal the show at the Wisconsin State Fair, but when you're done there - it's time for a treat.  Those treats may come from Nick Marking.  Marking has been a staple of creative food and drink at the fair for years.  You may recognize some of his successes at  Badger Bites and Buzzy Badger. This year Marking introduces Pam Jahnke to some of his award-winning specialty "dirty sodas,".

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Sharing stories of farm families at the Century/Sesquicentennial Farm Celebration is a natural fit at the WI State Fair.  Sharing stories about Wisconsin agriculture is an equal fit for Wisconsin's Alice in Dairyland, Anastasia Poole.  She tells Pam Jahnke about the tasks she's undertaking every day at the big event.

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Wisconsin classrooms may have guinea pigs, hamsters or even geckos as classroom pets. But through a free educational program, students can welcome a much larger pet to the classroom: a dairy cow. Wisconsin dairy farmer and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board member Tasha Schleis and her family have been participating in the Adopt a Cow program for three years now. She says it's something they really enjoy doing.

Learn more: https://www.discoverdairy.com/adopt-a-cow/

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Nearly half of the state's ambulance services struggle with around-the-clock staffing.  Response times in remote areas can exceed 30 minutes, and over 78% of rural agencies rely heavily on mutual aid because local crews are unavailable or depleted.  This is the life of everyday emergency responders like Holly Ellickson.  Elllickson is the chief of the EMS for Cross Plains.  While considered a suburb of Madison, Ellickson still ends up responding to farm accidents.  In an effort to prepare for the fall harvest and potential farm calls, Ellickson is training her staff on how to respond.  She says things have changed in the last 20 years.  Now her volunteers seldom have had any exposure to a working farm.  That means she needs to train them on how to protect themselves from farm dangers, while they respond to injured people on that farm.  Pam Jahnke learns more.

Dry today but more showers are in the forecast.  Stu Muck says while temperatures may seem cooler for August, there is heat that will be rebuilding.

The 33rd Pro Farmer Crop Tour launches today.  Andy Peterson visits with Chip Flory, one of the agronomist' that will be hitting the trail to find out what the farm fields hold.  Flory says that he expects it could be difficult to see differences between non-irrigated and irrigated fields in some regions.

Ethan Fitzgerald from Holman is one of the inaugural recipients in the Youth Impact Grant program.  It launched at the WI State Fair's Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock auction.  Fitzgerald tells Pam Jahnke that the $1,500 helped him expand his farming operation.  As a first generation farmer, he says any help is welcome.  He's getting plenty too.  Fitzgerald says that other farmers, university staff and breed organizations have all reached out to help him advance his farming operation.

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AI isn't something you imagine banks are paying attention to - but they are!  Bob Bosold finds out why from Lyn Paulson from Bell Bank explains why they see artificial intelligence as a tool, not always a solution.  Paulson says it does require investment and that's why banks are monitoring the appetite for technology.

Weather stays calm today with a chance of rain creeping across the state.  Stu Muck gives us the moving patterns.

It's all about who shows up.  Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group says that with online auctions, your audience grows exponentially.  He cites an example of a tractor sold to a WI operator.  Price was around $200,000 which was directly dictated by the open interest of others online.  Paid for by the Steffes Group.

Congratulations to all the award winners from the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction at the WI State Fair.  Josh Hennings from Hennings Cheese in Kiel was named the Grand Master Cheesemaker!

Markets reacted to a less than rosy picture of what crops look like from day one of the ProFarmer Crop Tour.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing is monitoring those reports.  He says the market reacted immediately to news that yields were down compared to year-ago figures.  Heinberg says it's not just about the actual numbers, but instead the trends that are being revealed.  He also said the market is still very volatile after Tyson Foods announced a major plant closing in Illinois that will fragment cattle movement.

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