The countdown for the 56th World Dairy Expo is on as there is only a few days until the global dairy industry meets once again in Madison. Do you have everything you need to have a memorable and enjoyable experience?

Lisa Behnke, Communications Manager for World Dairy Expo says the first step is buying your digital admission passes for this year’s event before arriving at the Alliant Energy Center. 

“Admission is required Tuesday, October 3 through Friday, October 6 for anyone 12 years old and older,” says Behnke. “Tickets can be purchased online by visiting Expo’s website, or through our free mobile event app.”

While you’re in the app, take advantage of all the features to plan your time at Expo, such as custom itinerary-building, interactive maps, and more.

“Something new this year is that there will be no exhibits in the lower level of the coliseum,” explains Behnke. “Instead it will be used for our tours as well as a family lounge for parents to watch the show on TV while the kids play.”

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Everyone goes crazy for it. It sells out faster than you can say cheese curd. It's the legendary CurderBurger from Culver's, and it's making its long-awaited return on Oct. 2. It will be available this time around until Oct. 31 or while supplies last. Culver's cheese curds are made here in Wisconsin at LaGrander's Hillside Dairy in Stanley. Master Cheesemaker Ryan LaGrander gives Mid-West Farm Report a peak at what this Wisconsin delicacy -- and National Cheese Curd Day on Oct. 15 -- means for his cheese plant. Cheese curds are about 70 percent of his cheese production. He ships out three truckloads of cheese curds every day, tallying up to about 14-15 million individual curds.

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It’s very likely that when you ask a Wisconsinite what their favorite season is… it’s autumn. And one of the top reasons for that – fall colors! And it is that time of year – leaves are changing. But what role does the weather play in the length of fall colors or the vibrancy of the leaves? Brad Hutnik has the answer for us. He’s a forest ecologist with the Wisconsin DNR. He gives us the ins and outs of why and how leaves change colors in the fall. He says this year, we can expect a good viewing window in most areas. It’ll vary by location more so than years past because of the varied rain falls over the summer. You can search for the Wisconsin Fall Color Map online to track where and when colors are peaking across the state. 

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Wild rice is found in gently flowing rivers and lakes throughout Wisconsin. Harvesting rice is a culturally important part of tribal communities in the state. In recent decades, others have also learned how to harvest wild rice which involves getting in a canoe and using a rice stick to collect the rice. Jason Fleener, wetland habitat specialist  for the Wisconsin DNR, shares what goes into harvesting wild rice.

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Wyffels hybrids are focused on research and information gathering.  For 10 years, Wyffels  has been conducting their own in-field research to try and help guide producers on product selection and management decisions.

Andy Grebner, District Sales Manager for Dane & Green Counties, says that's why he put out more than 87 sticky yellow traps to monitor corn rootworm insect levels specifically.  Grebner says they really noticed escalated numbers on the continuous corn fields.

Regardless of insects, the dry weather across all of his trade territory is impacting yields.  "Variability - that's the phrase I'm hearing most," according to Grebner.

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The Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin Contest is underway, and you have the chance to vote and highlight agriculture. Nick Novak, vice president of communications and marketing at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, puts on this contest. He highlights for us the agricultural businesses who are contenders this year from butter chips to cow pasture shades. He says the contest aims to increase awareness of different career opportunities in Wisconsin. Vote: https://www.madeinwis.com/ 

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Grocers know that prices matter to their shoppers. They are constantly navigating the supply chain and regulations to keep prices low for consumers while also staying in business. Brandon Scholz is the president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. Part of his role is to work on policy for their membership. He talks to lawmakers to make sure that Wisconsin’s grocery stores can continue to support the community they’re in. He says there’s a lot shakin' at the State Capitol, but he narrows in on a few items that matter to grocery retailers and shoppers. These are: reducing organized retail theft, legalizing alcohol delivery, and improving the quality of life to boost the labor force. 

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Discussion continues on the next Farm Bill.  Although the bill technically expires at the end of September, taking time to craft a proper bill is critical.  Bob Bosold talks with Darrin VonRuden, president of the WI Farmers Union, about what they've been crafting.

State Rep. Travis Tranel is monitoring discussions that might define where solar panel farms can/cannot be located in Wisconsin.  The Art of Cheese Festival is coming to Madison this weekend.  Rachel Kerr with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin says it's attracting global attention.

We're in the middle of WI Ag Tourism Week.  Sheila Everhart, exec. director with WI Ag Tourism, joins Pam Jahnke to highlight some of their growth areas.

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U.S. Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack, visited Wisconsin to celebrate the government's investment in "Climate Smart Commodities".  Stephanie Hoff poses the question of why agriculture is getting so much attention, and responsibility, for such a big issue.  Vilsack says it's all about the resources that agriculture has available to manage.

Foreign land ownership in Wisconsin is getting a closer look by the State Agriculture Committee.  Rep. Travis Tranel, who chairs the committee, says several bills have been proposed but he wants to slow it down, and pay attention to details.  Stephanie Hoff brings the update.

Consumers are already sensitive at the grocery store, and certain areas of agriculture are feeling it.  John Hineberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, says dairy's the first commodity to feel it in prices.  Hineberg also notes that the beef industry continues to be in a tough spot.  Cattle numbers remain low, and that's not a trend that can be rectified quickly.

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The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s (WFBF) Promotion and Education Committee is hosting a one-day Leadership Boot Camp on October 28 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Fond du Lac.

The Leadership Boot Camp Series was created to provide a fast-paced, one-day leadership development opportunity for individuals who may not have the time to participate in longer programs. 

This year's focus is on storytelling strategies, aiming to create better advocates for agriculture by connecting with consumers and sharing on-farm stories,” explains Mandy Ganser, WFBF Director of Member Relations. 

Preceding the Leadership Boot Camp, Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom will be hosting a Volunteer Rally on October 27. This event will be a fast-paced workshop filled with new resources, hands-on activities and plenty of idea sharing. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to attend a tour and enjoy dinner at LaClare Family Creamery.

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