About 15 percent of Wisconsin potatoes are out of the ground as the harvest continues. But growers are behind compared to years past. The latest report from USDA says the potato dig is 12 days behind last year and eight days behind the five-year average. Tamas Houlihan, the executive director of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, explains potato growers got off to a late start this spring. However, some growers are harvesting certain varieties earlier than normal to meet potato demand. The nation is facing a potato shortage due to low yields in 2021, and Wisconsinites are stepping up to the plate to meet demand here in the U.S. and overseas.

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At Tag Lane Dairy in Ixonia, a variety of agribusinesses, farmer-led watershed groups and legislators took part in a field day and conversation surrounding water quality and soil health. What's the secret to sustainability? Farmer-led initiatives, such as cover crops, precision ag and strategic partnerships with non-ag groups, are changing the conversation around sustainability and farming. 

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Agriculture is known as one of the most dangerous industries in America. Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-time work injury. The agriculture industry is consistently at the highest risk for occupational injuries and fatalities, with the equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Keith Bryan, technical service specialist at Christian Hansen, shares more on the work they do to prepare farmers for harvest safety and the silage safe program . 

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Although she's only been in Madison a short period of time, Dean Glenda Gillaspy likes what she sees!

Pam Jahnke sat down for the first time to learn more about this Georgia native that's made her way to the College of Ag and Life Sciences.  Gillaspy says the composition of departments and programs in the college, along with a history and reputation of excellence, make CALS unique.  She's working to become familiar with all components of the campus, and will be attending several 'meet and greet' events around the state.

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From breeds to fiber, artwork to stock dogs - the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival will offer you a chance to learn more about each!  They're also celebrating 20 years of hosting this industry-specific show at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Jefferson!

Bob Black from Columbus has been involved with the festival since it started.  He says he's watched the industry ebb and flow in the state.  Today, there seems to be new interest in not just the live animals, but also the expansion of fiber arts. In fact, Black says they've received a record number of registrations for fiber arts classes, and a huge request for catalogs - more than 500! There are 100 fiber arts classes offered over the course of the show, working with yarn or wool.

Black says the success of the show stems from the core of volunteers and sheep owners that truly want to educate the public about the industry.  That's a role that Wisconsin's held for a long time, according to Black.

He also says the event itself is one great way for people that are thinking about getting into sheep to find a mentor that can assist them.  "You need to get up close and personal with a producer that's actually interested in making money, showing a profit,"  Black says.

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4-H programs across Wisconsin have gone through some major changes since the pandemic.  Jill Welke visits with Heather Vierling, St. Croix County 4-H Agent, about how programs have changed and even the youth involved in 4-H have changed.

Charitee Seebecker brings us an update on what the new school year is looking like for our state agriculture educators.  Sally Ladsten, Food and Natural Resources Education Consultant and State FFA Advisor at the WI Department of Public Instruction, says they've had 50 positions turnover since the last school year and have 9 vacancies remaining.

Katie Burgess, broker/analyst with EverAg, draws out details of the July milk production report with Pam Jahnke.

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The Wisconsin Hereford Association's hosting a virtual farm tour Saturday to bring the industry together.  Pam Jahnke talks to Bruce Everhart, chair of the American Hereford Association board, about the breed and its popularity.

Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group will be busy at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.  He's still taking bookings for fall auctions.

The WI Beef Council has launched an effort to connect consumers with beef producers ready to sell directlyto consumers.  Pam Jahnke talks to Grace Link from the WI Beef Council about the project.  Sponsored by the WI Beef Council and Equity Livestock.

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School will be back in session soon. While kids are going through some big changes, so are the teachers. This is a nationwide crisis for filling empty agricultural education positions across school districts. However, the demand for agriculture teachers continues due to program growth, expansion, retirements and openings. School districts value the agricultural education model of rigorous STEM based classroom and laboratory instruction, experiential learning and leadership development.

Sally Ladsten, education consultant  with DPI, shares more on how agriculture teacher numbers are looking for the fall and the license options to help fill vacancies.

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We all know that livestock need to eat, but how do you make sure you have enough feed for them while you're on the road? How do you keep animals comfortable on the road when traveling a lot? These are many questions of concern for rodeos all over.

Jake Morehead with the Three Hills rodeo, shares more on how they take care of their livestock as they travel to different rodeos.

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Showing dairy cattle and judging them has changed over time. Things have changed and how you're preparing the animals, what the judges are looking for and sometimes it's hard to know where the trends are today.

Kristen Metcalf, a dairy cattle judge from Rock County, shares more on how  she got started judging and what she looks for during showmanship versus the animal age classes.

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