MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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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School bells are about to ring and just like students, teachers are getting ready.  Now, there's a way for parents and supporters of those agriculture teachers to get them started on the right foot!  

Teri Barr visit with Pamela Stuttgen.  She wants to be sure her daughter walks into the classroom this fall, and finds a back-to-school gift box waiting for her there. The Colby, Wisconsin woman believes it’s a simple way to show — someone has noticed the work agriculture teachers across the state, do every day. 

For the past three years, Stuttgen has sent this surprise to her daughter, Jessica. She’s an ag teacher in the Athens School District. But this year, Stuttgen decided to send a second box, celebrating another agriculture educator in the state.

“Ag teachers play a very important role in our school system,” she said. “However, they are so underappreciated.”

And this gift has become more than a box filled with supplies and surprises. It’s now a wonderful way to recognize teachers who spend countless hours helping students discover opportunities within the agriculture industry. 

The last weekend of the Wisconsin State Fair will work with moderate temperatures and some rain.  Stu Muck says that pattern won't change until at least next week.

Harvest may not have started, but farmers are getting a pretty good idea of what their crop will yield.  Pam Jahnke visits with Dr. Shawn Conely, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist about the 2026 WI Soybean Yield Contest.  Conley says the opportunity not only puts prize money in producers pockets, it also generates real-world information that can help Conley and his research team.  Paid for by WI Soybean Marketing Board.

The Wisconsin Products building at State Fair Park features everything you'd like to enjoy from the state's farmers.  Kiley Allan takes a little time to find out how the cranberry growers are doing.   Holly Herline, Communications Director with Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association says the season looks good.

Friendships forged at fairs, through 4-H.  There's stories all around with that nucleus as its start.  Pam Jahnke visits with a group of 6 Sheboygan County 4-H youth that bonded over their mutual love of poultry.  Katherine Arbuckle and Lyla How are two of the members.  While this group was exhibiting for different 4-H clubs, their mutual interest in poultry ultimately brought them together.  Once they showed side-by-side, they found out they also all played music!  That led to the beginning of "What's Up:  Chicken Butt Band".  The troup of poultry appreciators perform at different events all around Sheboygan County and also performed at the WI State Fair.  The passion these kids have for poultry has also ignited a new event at the Sheboygan County Fair through a new costume contest!  Lyla How tells Pam Jahnke that the best birds for the dress-up event are the "fluffy ones" - because they don't move around so much.  And now you know.  What's Up:  Chicken Butt Band does have its own social media page if you'd like to follow these 4-Her's friendships.

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Wisconsin's voice is being heard on the national scene regarding use of beef checkoff dollars.

Curt Larson, President & CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock also is serving as president of the WI Beef Council.  Larson explains to Pam Jahnke that discussion is currently ongoing about channels where beef producers checkoff dollars will be spent.

Larson acknowledges that the entire industry is trying to do more with less.  Fewer cattle mean fewer investment dollars available overall.  That makes producer voices all the more important in the decision making process.

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The National Dairy Shrine is preserving agriculture stories from the past -- for the future. Teri Barr talks with Mike Opperman, executive director of the Dairy Shrine and Museum, to learn why everything from antique butter-making machines to a Dairy Hall of Fame, are so important.   

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One of the most important steps when it comes to maximizing the yield you're getting out of this year's crop is to know what you're up against. Dr. Emily Bick sat down with Kiley Allan. She's Extension Specialist of Insects for Field and Forage Crops. She tells us what we're seeing in the fields right now.

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The preservation of habitat is extremely important for Wisconsin wildlife. Nate Fore sat down with me. He's a Wetland Easement Biologist with Pheasants Forever. He tells me that they're primarily concerned with grasslands.

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Leo Berger and Victor Cruz from Milwaukee keep coming back to the Flower Crew. What they describe as a 'fun summer job' is a crew of approximately 30 people that keep the fairgrounds beautiful and inviting!

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Do you know the difference between a bison and a buffalo? Learn more about the bison industry with the Wisconsin Bison Producers Association and Chef Andy Tenaglia.

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Cranberries are a robust industry in Wisconsin! The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association are encouraging State Fair attendees to use all of their senses to learn about cranberries.

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