While on his travels through Hawaii, Bob Bosold had the chance to learn more about pineapple production.  He caught up with Mo, a pineapple grower on the island of Maui.  Pineapple production has been greatly reduced in Hawaii over the recent past and just a few plantations still exist.

Farmers and agriculturists are always watching the weather.  Why not contribute to the accuracy of weather reports and forecasts, and become an official rainfall reporter for the National Weather Service.  Kevin Erb with UW-Extension, who is also part of COCORAHS, shares some of the details on the program and how people can get involved.

Farm director Pam Jahnke catches up with the Wisconsin Soybean Growers, this time chatting with Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist.  They discuss some of the things farmers should have on their mind pre-planting, as well as some of the challenges producers may face this next growing season.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angie Larsen manages business development at Fox Cities Builders, a general contractor for ag buildings. She says it’s business as usual despite higher prices and longer lead times. Farms need buildings regardless of supply chain disruption as they work to produce food sustainably and more efficiently.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are continually getting closer to planting season.  Once work starts in the fields, many more tractors and implements will be on the roads.  Stephanie Hoff chats with Lt. Bill Berger of the Wisconsin State Patrol to discuss safety tips for both farmers and other drivers on the road.

PDPW is offering another opportunity for our youth in agriculture.  Shelly O'Leary shares details about the upcoming Stride Youth Leadership Conference, hosted by PDPW in the Wisconsin Dells on April 2nd.  This conference is open to high school students ages 15-18 interested in growing their leadership skills, whether they are involved in the dairy industry or not.  It will be a fun and engaging learning opportunity for students.  Registrations are due on Sunday, March 27th.

Farm director Pam Jahnke visits with our friends at Compeer Financial.  Glenn Wachtler, financial officer discusses how to manage risk and have a profitable operation.  With all the high inputs and uncertainty in markets, there is no better time than now to pay more attention to managing risk.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't let this money sit. The head of Wisconsin's Rural Development Office, Julie Lassa shares what's available for producers to apply for.

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (DUE APRIL 11) helps eligible processors expand their capacity: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/508_rd_factsheet_mppep.pdf

The Value-Added Producer Grant (DUE APRIL 25) helps producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/value-added-fact-sheet-fy-2022.pdf 

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is ongoing -- you can apply through your lender: https://www.rd.usda.gov/food-supply-chain-guaranteed-loans

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Welke talks to Equity Livestock CEO Curt Larson about the cooperative celebrating 100 years. Larson also shares that the markets have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This is due to supply chain issues such as the lack of truckers. And livestock is currently in a down cycle, which isn't expected to turn around until late 2023, he says. New at Equity -- organics, which Larson describes as a learning curve. 

Mary Ledman, a global dairy strategist with Rabobank, gives Stephanie Hoff an update on milk production worldwide. The regions that account for 80 percent of the dairy trade are experiencing lower milk production than the year before.

You can expect more severe storms and hotter temps this summer. This is the forecast from Eric Snodgrass, an atmospheric scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions. Meanwhile, ag players across the globe are experiencing floods (Australia) or drought (California and South America), impacting markets.

ever.ag broker Zach Bowers zooms in on the declining U.S. milk production numbers. He says high input costs are preventing dairies from adding numbers to the herd. This is keeping milk production down in the U.S.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carbon markets -- it’s a fairly new phrase that we’ve been getting used to and learning more about. Indigo Ag is a player in that space. Indigo Ag offers farmers technology to track their carbon credits. And they connect credit buyers with the carbon credit supply chain. Ryan Stockwell is the senior manager of grower and partner advocacy for Indigo Ag. He shares what carbon markets entail. You can learn more about Indigo Ag's new collaboration with Midwestern BioAg here: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2022/03/18/helping-farms-tap-carbon-credits/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Ledman, a global dairy strategist with Rabobank, gives the Mid-West Farm Report an update on milk production worldwide. The regions that account for 80 percent of the dairy trade are experiencing lower milk production than the year before. It's not a trend, but due to several factors, including the climate. This is driving prices up.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Zimmerman meets with two National FFA officers as they travel through Wisconsin connecting with student members and industry supporters. Wisconsin native Cortney Zimmerman shares her experience traveling across the nation learning about how other FFAs operate and how to share the story of agriculture in the best way. Jackson Sylvester thanks supporting businesses, such as Culvers, for making this experience possible.

Steffes Group is looking forward to three big dairy sales happening in different regions across Wisconsin. The auctions include real estate, cattle and equipment. You can learn more at steffesgroup.com.

Wisconsin Beef Council joins the Mid-West Farm Report for Checkoff Chat with an update on how consumers are purchasing beef. She says new retail channels for beef have opened. During the pandemic, beef had an opportunity as more people sought it out. This trend is continuing. Beef is also getting more active on social media to interact with consumers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Welke talks with USDA Deputy Administrator Dana Coale about where Federal Milk Marketing Order reform has been and where it could be going. She says the pandemic unveiled flaws with the current system when farmers saw negative producer price differentials on their milk checks. She says dairy producers should stay tuned to the Farm Bill and what changes will be made to FMMO in that piece of legislation. 

The International Association of Fairs & Expositions Section 4 Annual Convention in La Crosse is underway. Marla Stello, La Crosse Interstate Fair manager, says as fairs face obstacles going into the 2022 season -- from animal diseases to supply chain disruption -- the largest opportunity fairs have for success is marketing. Marketing and sharing the fair story is the focus of this year's Section 4 conference which encompasses local fairs from across the Upper Midwest. 

As we enter the fourth week of Russia's invasion into Ukraine and the war happening in the region, John Heinberg of Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins us live to say the high price of wheat will last beyond the war due to supply chain disruption. The latest dairy report shows we're nearing record-high milk prices -- but margins aren't necessarily a wow factor as the cost of feed, fertilizer and fuel rise.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Association of Fairs & Expositions Section 4 Annual Convention in La Crosse is underway. Marla Stello, La Crosse Interstate Fair manager, says as fairs face obstacles going into the 2022 season -- from animal diseases to supply chain disruption -- the largest opportunity fairs have for success is marketing. Marketing and sharing the fair story is the focus of this year's Section 4 conference which encompasses local fairs from across the Upper Midwest. The convention ends tomorrow, but plenty of time to attend. Learn more: http://lacrosseinterstatefair.com/iafe_-_zone_4_meeting

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.