Even if companies are not getting directly involved in carbon markets – it’s on their radar. Growmark saw interest in carbon credits hike in 2021. That was their sign to start getting acquainted with carbon markets. Lance Ruppert joins us, he’s the manager of strategic market development for Growmark. He says agriculture is in a neat position going forward as carbon type programs and markets develop because the three Fs — food, feedstocks and fuel – all come through the farmgate. He says this is a huge value opportunity for farm businesses. Growmark wants to enable its customers to participate and take advantage, specifically through data collection.

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Tracy and Genie Malterer, a dynamic mother-daughter duo, have made waves in the local beekeeping community with their two-decade-long passion for nurturing bees and harvesting honey. Their journey, initiated by a simple desire to enhance vegetable production in their garden, has blossomed into a flourishing hobbyist beekeeping enterprise, managing between 10 to 15 hives together. Tracy explains more about their start and how they got to where they are today

Her dedication to beekeeping goes beyond honey production; it's about community engagement, education, and fostering a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

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Animal agriculture is always changing, but the passion that veterinarians generally have for animals is never dimming.

Dr. Nate Haas with BioVet is an example of a veterinarian that loves to keep learning and experiencing all kinds of animal care, in different geographies!  Haas sits down with Pam Jahnke to talk a little about his background and why he's comfortable and happy as a part of the BioVet team.

Dr. Haas is a native of Lancaster, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where he earned BS degrees in Biology and Microbiology, and completed an MS in Biology (Microbiology Concentration) studying transport of enteric viruses in surface and ground water. After working for 2 years as a molecular biology Research Associate, he entered veterinary school, graduating in 2009 from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

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Do you have binders of yield data, field observations, and more on your shelf that may even be decades old? Well if so-you’re not alone. Many farmers have data sitting around that could be pretty useful if they knew how to actually analyze it. Kendal Quandahl, precision field team manager at Case IH says that problem is just the thing they aim to fix with their new technology. She explains more about their ASF connect program and how it helps you unlock untapped potential.

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The music at the beginning? That is a tape recording of the Association of Women in Agriculture’s first barbershop quartet rehearsing for the winter ball competition at UW-Madison 50 years ago. They called themselves Tootsie Rose, the first female group. AWA Founding Member Phyllis Gerner Agnew says they won first place much to the dismay of the male fraternities on campus.

AWA is celebrating 50 years of developing women leaders in agriculture and beyond. No one knows this better than its 10 founding members. Two of them join us in-studio today. Patty Prust Heckart and Phyllis Gerner Agnew hail from Jefferson County.

Some of the highlights of our conversation: they are happy to see the social elements (sometimes shenanigans) are still a key pillar of the association. And they're amazed at the professional opportunities that members have today. They said it doesn't matter who started the organization or how long ago it was, but that it's still serving its purpose today. 

Phyllis is a dairy farmer in Mapleton. Patty had a long career in meat grading for USDA.

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Ethanol industry leaders are optimistic about the future of the industry and E15. That's according to Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol. 

He says, “As of now, the Renewable Fuel Standard(RFS) is operating under a rule set by the EPA for the next three years, providing stability and a clear roadmap until 2025. The established mandate of around 15 billion gallons for conventional biofuel through 2025 has also been confirmed.”

While there was a desire for more, he says he’s optimistic, especially with the Biden administration discontinuing small refinery exemptions, a move perceived to strengthen the RFS trajectory.

When it comes to E15, Jennings says they’re on a two-track approach and says they’re closer than ever. First, midwest governors have petitioned the EPA to permit E15 sales in their states, with tentative approval from the EPA. Simultaneously, legislative efforts are underway, with bipartisan collaboration aimed at enabling year-round E15 availability nationwide. 

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Food trends and flavors are being revealed for 2024 and Wisconsin restaurant owners are paying attention.  Susan Quam is the executive director of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and she sees themes that started during the pandemic continuing in 2024.  She also sees the "midwest being cool" when it comes to flavor profiles.  She lets Pam Jahnke in on the expectations.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union just wrapped up their 93rd annual convention in Wisconsin Dells.  Michelle Ramerez-White, policy coordinator for WFU, says they're very focused on issues with affordable health care for farm families and agribusinesses as well as access.  She also says members want some options for rural childcare.  

Pam Jahnke dials up Joe Gibbs, Fox Lake soybean farmer who's part of the Clean Fuels Alliance Big Apple tour in New York City this week.  Gibbs says they're learning about all the ways biodiesel is being used by the municipalities and what they've got planned for the future.

Finally, John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing joins Pam to focus on what traders are talking about going toward the end of the calendar year. China made a surprise appearance in the wheat market Monday and traders noticed.

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Carbon markets are on the upswing and growing.  That's according to Clay Craighton, strategic accounts manager of Agoro Carbon. Craighton says with there being more stability in the market, its a good time to get involved.

"Our program accommodates diverse agricultural practices, ensuring alignment with each grower's specific operations," says Craighton.

For farmers seeking guidance on initiating or evaluating a carbon contract, Agoro Carbon provides accessible resources such as a carbon calculator on their website. This tool empowers farmers to explore various possibilities and engage directly with representatives for comprehensive consultations.

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Finn Johnson, agricultural business development manager at Madison Area Drone Service, says the busy season for drones is typically now. After the rush of the harvest, growers sit down to explore how a drone might make their lives easier for the following growing season. Because of the licensure and recommended practice time, Johnson says make your decision now so that you're ready to operate your new drone by spring. Some of the solutions that drones bring to the farm: cover crop seeding without damage and precision fungicide applications. 

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Wisconsin farmers are sharing how they use cover crops and helping to improve cover cropping for farmers all around the state through the Wisconsin Cover Crop Survey. Dan Smith, Southwest Regional Agronomist for UW-Madison, says this survey has helped them to fill critical knowledge gaps concerning the performance of cover crops after different harvest cycles.

“The primary goal of the survey was to assess the biomass produced by cover crops after fall or summer-harvested crops, aiming to understand the efficacy of various cover crop species in Wisconsin's agricultural ecosystems,” explains Smith.

Of the data collected, Smith says winter rye emerged as the most popular cover crop post-harvest, exhibiting great biomass yields, particularly after summer-harvested crops.

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