The Grassworks Grazing Conference kicks off today. CIAS Researcher Sarah Lloyd says heifer grazing is a viable enterprise, especially on Wisconsin's landscape. It's also attractive to a younger demographic looking to get into agriculture.

It'll be foggy on your way to the FFA Alumni Convention, Grassworks, and Corn-Soy Expo. Watch out for freezing fog - it may get slick.

WFBF's Ag Day at the Capitol saw a 20 percent jump in attendance. Executive Director of Governmental Relations Jason Mugniani says that's because issues, such as health care, are important to members. The big ticket item for WFBF this year is passing a bill that would allow the organization to provide members with a health coverage plan.

The latest cattle report from USDA shows that the cattle and calves inventory continues the decline in the current cattle cycle. Inventory peaked in 2019, and today, we’re at historic lows. The National Agricultural Statistics Service says the last time U.S. cattle and calves inventory was this low was in 1951 at 82.1 million head. 2024 inventory is at 87.2 million. Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, says he doesn’t know when these numbers will turn around.

Ever.Ag Broker-Analyst Matt Tranel says the biggest surprise in the report was in the revised 'expected to bred' numbers which took 2023 numbers down 150,000 head. He says that explains the rhetoric from dairymen saying they can't find two-year-old heifers ready to come into the milking herd, and if they do, it comes at a premium.

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Wisconsin Farm Bureau members gathered at Ag Day At the Capital to learn more about issues impacting Wisconsin agriculture and meet with their state legislators. Wisconsin Farm Bureau president Brad Olson talks about the impact this event has on Wisconsin agriculture. But first he tells us more about how he got involved in the organization.

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Our holiday celebrations may be in the rear view mirror, but in China, they're just getting ready for their big event. You can bet that even on the other side of the world, Wisconsin agriculture is a part of the celebration. 

Jackie Fett executive director of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin says the Chinese New Year is an important time of year for Wisconsin ginseng growers, because the world-renowned American ginseng has cultural significance as a gift. She explains more about the roots importance in China and how they’re working to create more opportunities for Wisconsin ginseng growers.

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UW-Madison continues to expand the state’s mesonet – the system of weather and soil monitoring stations throughout Wisconsin. This system is named Wisconet. It will provide more than one dozen measurements every five minutes across every county in Wisconsin. UW-Madison Prof. Dan Vimont with the State Climatology Office gives us an update on the installation progress. Learn more about it: https://wisconet.wisc.edu/

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Wisconsin Farmers Union is renovating a historic building in downtown Chippewa Falls. It’ll not only be their new headquarters, but a community space. The 128 W. River Street building is adjacent to the Spring Street building that has housed WFU’s headquarters since the 1940s. WFU purchased the 45,000-square-foot building a few years ago. The organization plans to turn the stately brick building into a downtown destination, featuring a food hall, meeting spaces, and apartments. Executive Director Julie Bomar says the first floor won’t house just any food hall — this one will support WFU. Food vendors will be required to become WFU members and purchase 15 percent of their goods from WFU members.

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No Joke Dairy is just that - no joke.  Two brothers exited the dairy industry after the family herd was dispersed, but two years later returned.  Today, No Joke Dairy is back milking cows, running crop acres, and getting ready to host the state's largest outdoor agriculture event, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.  Pam Jahnke visits with Matt and Sam Redetzke about the path that brought them back to the home farm.What is it about growing up in a rural community that makes many "country kids" want to come back?  How can they come back?  What does the rural community have to offer?  Stephanie Hoff probes all those angles with Dr. Steve Deller, UW Professor and Community Development Specialist, Center for Community and Economic Development, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, about what chemistry has to come together to help rural communities grow and thrive.

John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend steps in with Pam Jahnke to discuss markets.  First discussion - why U.S. importers are bringing in Brazilian soybeans and what the margins say.  Next, preparing for what could be a startling cattle inventory report on Wednesday.  Will numbers show the lowest cattle population since the 1950's?

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What's ahead for production agriculture in 2024?  Bob Bosold visits with Univ. of Missouri Ag Economist, Dr. Scott Brown about the geopolitical changes that can rock commodity prices overnight.  He also frames work on the  Farm Bill and the long term outlook for farmers.Dairy farmers in Kiel, Wisconsin wanted to make sure their student athletes had access to chocolate milk to recharge after their workouts.  Thanks to their local ag instructor, they made it happen.  Charitee Seebecker brings us the story with Emily Newberg.

All the melting snow, and moisture in the forecast can cause problems for dairy operations that are responsible for storing their winter manure.  Stephanie Hoff gets some cautionary advice from Kevin Erb, UW-Extension Nutrient Management Specialist.

Mooving Cows is a brand new video game that was designed to help dairy farmers and their employees work through the proper way of moving livestock without leaving their couch.  Pam Jahnke visits with the developer, Dr. Jennifer VanOss from the UW- Madison Dept. of Animal & Dairy Science.  She says she's not a gamer herself, but the game has turned into a great tool for continuing education.  Available free on all platforms with no ads!

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How do you choose what community you want to live in? Maybe it’s job availability, housing markets, or wages even.  What's drawing you to that community? And what assets does it have that other communities may not? These are the questions that UW-Madison researchers are asking in a new rural livability project. Matt Kures, Uw-Extension Distinguished Community Economic Development Specialist and Researcher says the goal is to create a blueprint to help best serve Wisconsin communities. 

“The initiative is examining key components such as access to jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, critical institutions, healthcare, education, and even factors like restaurants,” explains Kures. “The goal is to comprehensively understand why individuals choose to live in a particular community and how those factors can be improved to encourage residents to stay and thrive.”

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In the U.S., Wisconsin ranks in the top 10 for turkey production, and in the top 20 states for chicken and egg production. So when the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza came around in 2022, Wisconsin felt the pressure. Fast forward to today, broiler and egg production is thriving compared to the last few years, according to the numbers from USDA. Extension Specialist Brenda Boetel says the good news will continue for producers if they can stay protected from the avian flu. Photo by Michael P. King/UW-Madison CALS

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Whether you’re certified organic, using organic practices on your regenerative farm, or considering the switch to organic, the Organic Farming Conference is for you. At the 35th anniversary of the event, you’ll find the people, partners, and skill-building opportunities to help your farm business thrive. Marbleseed Executive Director Lori Stern gives us a preview. 

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