Conversations and the exchange of ideas!  This simple preface is helping fuel community projects across southern Wisconsin with the goal of earth stewardship, community, spirituality and economic justice through healthy food and sustainable farming practices.

Roger Williams, professor emeritus from UW-Madison and treasurer of The Food, Faith and Farming Network, representing Harvest of Hope, visits with Pam Jahnke about their latest listening sessions in southeast Wisconsin, and what projects they'll be funding in 2023.

Williams says the series,"Fostering Rural/Urban Connections in Southeastern Wisconsin", was held over a 3-week period fall of 2022.  It involved farmers, crop managers, community gardeners, UW-Extension, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and USDA representatives, as well as landscapers, a vocational agriculture teacher, conservation planners, food pantry staff, and observers from Tammy Baldwin's office.

The objective was to bring together community members to address four issues: rural/urban connections, local foods; food security; and sustainable farming.

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Hay supply looks pretty good for Wisconsin thanks to a good 2022 crop. Wisconsin is an “island of good supply” in the midst of extreme shortages across the country, according to Emeritus Extension Forage Specialist Dan Undersander. He provides insight into what we can expect for 2023’s crop and if winter kill is an issue.

“The hay supply is at a fifty year low and there are a lot of regions that are short,” explains Undersasnder. “We didn't have the drought that much of the western half of the U.S. had. This being their second year of drought, Wisconsin has a big advantage in terms of the amount of hay we have for sale.”

While supply may be at a low, the price of hay is still near a record high. The price has stayed fairly consistent throughout the winter at $250/ton in large square bales. Undersander encourages those buying hay to pay attention to the quality and says they should buy by the ton versus the bale to be cost efficient.

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If you’re having conflicts with wild animals in your fields, your feed storage, and even around your home… there is help out there for you. Wisconsin DNR’s Wildlife Damage Specialist Brad Koele walks Mid-West Farm Report through who to call when aggressive birds or awake bears start becoming a nuisance. Farmers can take advantage of the year-round Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program that covers several species. Certain urban municipalities are also eligible for help with mitigating deer and geese problems. And homeowners can rest assured that they can call the DNR to help address wildlife conflicts.

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We talk about it, complain about it, enjoy it and hope it'll change.  The weather.  How many of us routinely glance at an app, or shush others when a forecast is being shared.  We plan our day around it - but know very little about the work behind the scenes to bring us that forecast.

Meet Scott Berschback, National Weather Service Meteorologist in Green Bay.  Berschback visits with Pam Jahnke about what he does in helping NE Wisconsin residents, visitors and businesses know what's coming their way.

This is a part of the Midwest Farm Report's partnership with the National Weather Service in encouraging all citizens to get involved reporting rainfall/snowfall events in your area.  There are huge gaps in weather stations across Wisconsin, making it difficult for forecasters to be accurate.  Your information can help change that.  Find out more at wisconsinweatherwatchers.org.

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With spring planting just around the corner, some farmers are re-evaluating their growing season practices.  Jill Welke talks with Gary Zimmer from Midwest BioAg about his philosophies on soil health and regenerative ag practices.

California farmers continue to struggle against major weather events.  Carrie Mess visits with Tulare County dairy producer, Tyler Riberio, about the flooding that's forced him and his farming neighbors to abandon their barns and move livestock.​

Speaking of California weather challenges, that's part of the conversation with Ryan Yonkman, broker/analyst with EverAg.  They're hearing stories from California dairy operators and processors.  Yonkman is also keeping an eye on the latest movements in Class III milk - an opportunity he doesn't see lasting long.

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Tyler Ribeiro is a fourth generation dairy farmer in Tulare County, California. He is no stranger to water woes, but usually it’s a lack of water that keeps him up at night. However over the last two weeks that has changed as his area has been inundated with flood waters. While the Riberio farm is ok, Tyler shares that farms in his neighborhood are not. 

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Fresh off our Iceland Farm Tour, we take a look at the unique Icelandic Horses.  The breed is exclusive on the island, and new genetics haven't been introduced for more than 1,000 years.  Pam Jahnke visits with Knútur, owner and operator of Fridheimar stable and greenhouse.  He explains the unique traits of the breed and why the country is so connected to these small horses.

Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group visits with Pam Jahnke about an upcoming auction in Slinger, Wisconsin, that's getting attention.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Next week hundreds of farmers from across the state will be in Madison for Ag Day at the Capitol.  Carrie Mess visits with Jason Mugnaini, executive director of governmental relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, about the hot topics they'll be discussing with elected officials.

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The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will host the ninth annual World Food Prize Wisconsin Youth Institute on Monday, April 10. 

This event brings together high school students in grades 9-12 from across Wisconsin to learn more about critical global challenges. 

To participate in this unique experience, ahead of the event students must research a global issue they care about and submit a research paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor. During the Wisconsin Youth Institute, students will present their research papers and share their proposed solutions to these grand challenges. The deadline to register is March 24, 2023.

Lauryn Christianson, Prospective student Services Coordinator at UW-Madison explains what this institute is and how to be involved.

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The agricultural market is always changing, but there are ways for producers to stay ahead and seize some opportunities. Parts of South America will be harvesting 11 to 12 tons more soybeans than they ever have before while others will be down 50%. Economist Dan Basse of AgResource Company shares some insight into how this affects prices here in the U.S.

“It's really a strange season for South America,” explains Basse. “Brazil is an area of abundance. In fact, to the degree that there was a while that the ports of Brazil stopped taking soybeans because there was so much supply, they didn't have storage for all that.”

Brazil will be harvesting 153 million tons of soybeans this year, which is about 12 million tons more than they’ve ever cut. Basse says while they are doing well, across the border in Argentina, it is a disaster as they’re yields will be down 40 percent.

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Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Darlene Konkle reminds poultry owners of the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The spring migratory period for wild birds brings an increased risk of infection to all flocks, so DATCP recommends that poultry owners continue using the strongest biosecurity measures to protect their birds.

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