MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

On today's Mid-West Farm Report, Wisconsin Farm Bureau's Jason Mugnaini says farmers have many questions about USDA's newly-announced relief program for high diesel prices, and Bryce Windecker with EA Risk discusses what has milk, cheese, and butter prices going down.

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Wisconsin's cheese industry is known for its craftsmanship, but the people behind the cheese have something else to share: knowledge.

Teri Barr talked with Master Cheesemaker Bob Wills during a recent open house at Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain. The celebration -- of award-winning cheese made from both sheep's and cow's milk -- also gave Wills the opportunity to share how a culture of collaboration is supporting newer producers like Beth Anderson, who hopes to make and sell her own cheese someday. 

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During harvest season, farmers work long hours and rely heavily on their equipment, which can strain
resources. FOCUS ON ENERGY® rebates make it more affordable to install energy-efficient equipment, helping farmers get reliable systems that use less energy and keep costs down when work is busiest.

This is also a good time to start planning for next year. As farmers assess their operations, they can
identify where efficiency upgrades will have the biggest impact. Focus on Energy can help plan these
future projects and secure rebates early, making it easier for farms to have a productive year.

Today, Focus on Energy advisor Jessica Mlsna visits with Pam Jahnke on successfully wrapping up your projects and looking forward to 2027.

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Wisconsin has 17 million acres of public and private forested land that provides raw material to the forest products industry.  That's a lot of timber!  You might be surprised how it gets used.  Contrary to popular belief, Wisconsin lumber is not just about 2X4's.  Logan Wells, program director at the Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo tells Pam Jahnke all about it.  The state excels at production of hardwood products you use everyday!  Cabinets, interior trim, hardwood floors and furniture! That's the sweet spot for Wisconsin timber.  But what about the global market and appetite for the state's product?  And what do they do at the Center for Excellence?  Listen in and find out!

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Wisconsin dairy depends on international trade to keep margins healthy.  That's been difficult with tariffs and trade sanctions impacting global partners.  Bob Bosold gets some details from Leonard Polzin, UW-Extensin Dairy Economist at UW-River Falls.  Polzin says the numbers don't lie on the business Wisconsin dairy has lost.

More beautiful weather again today after we get through a damp start.  Larry Lee finds out the heavy dew is the only thing slowing the harvest down today.

Finally some corn yield numbers are rolling in.  Kiley Allan finds out about everything from yields to test weights from Cooper Humphries, district sales manager for Wyffels Hybrids.  Paid for by Wyffels.

Not all Wisconsin farmers are thrilled with the $8 billion in diesel subsidies coming from the government.  Larry Lee reports that Ken Rosenow from the WI Corn Growers would rather have the market reward his efforts.  He says while they wait on details from USDA, he just hopes that the administration is fair and equitable in distribution, and that other sectors of WI agriculture get the same consideration.

Consumers still have an appetite for beef, but restaurants are careful with what they put on that menu.  Educating the next phase of restaurant chefs and managers was the reason behind Chef Noah Hawkins visit to the state.  Hawkins is the Associate Director of Culinary Services with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He explains how he visited with students at Waukesha Area Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as the American Culinary Federation Milwaukee Chapter (ACF Chefs of Milwaukee). During his presentations he broke down a chuck roll to uncover economic, tender, flavorful cuts that could easily be featured on a restaurant menu.  Paid for by the WI Beef Council/Equity Cooperative Livestock.

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Energy and ideas can only take you so far if you don't have partners to help them materialize.

Tom and Annaliese Wegner of Wegnerlann Dairy in Ettrick have plenty of both.  Through a welcoming family, Tom and Annaliese have found a place working with Tom's parents, Jeff and Betty.  Over time, they've been able to act on their dreams of exceptional calf care and use of technology to keep a critical eye on the dairies performance.

That's welcome news to Luke Schulte, Vice President - Business Banking, Bank First.  Luke's an idea man himself, and appreciates it when he's brought into the conversation.  He's even more grateful when his clients are prepared with a business plan like Tom and Annaliese.

Listen in as they share how they discovered one another on the agri-business byway.  Tom and Annaliese had done their homework, and shopped around for lending partners.  Through the vision of Luke Schulte, they've found a match that's help this fifth generation dairy operation keep growing.

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Darin Von Ruden is a farmer in the southwestern part of Wisconsin near Westby. His immediate question is whether the $8 billion program will provide meaningful assistance.

"The announcement leaves a larger concern unresolved -- whether short-term payments can adequately offset rising production and transportation expenses," Von Ruden said.

He tells Teri Barr the impact reaches beyond the farm gate, too. It's affecting the businesses that transport agricultural products and the consumers who eventually purchase them."

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Ken Rosenow farms corn and soybeans near Oconomowoc. With a keen ear to his fellow farmers, Rosenow knows the impact the Harvest Fuel Relief Program could make in Wisconsin. He give Larry Lee the insight.

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There's good news coming out of South Central Wisconsin. Corn moisture levels may not be as high as some people think. Cooper Humphrey joins Kiley Allan. He's the district sales manager with Wyffels for Columbia, Dodge, and Jefferson Counties. He gives us a harvest update and says spirits are high.

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It's no surprise to people living in rural communities that fall is a busy time of year for farmers, and in turn, we see more agricultural and field equipment on the roadways. Kory Schultz joins us. He's an inspector with the Wisconsin State Patrol. He has a few safety tips and tricks for both our farmers and civilians on the roadways.

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