MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

While the leaves in the crops are turning color in the fall, our lawns are some of the last things to lose their vibrant green hue. Although it seems counterintuitive, the way we care for our lawns at this time of year greatly affects their health come next spring and summer. Doug Soldat joins me. He's a professor and extension turfgrass specialist at UW-Madison. He reflects on a difficult growing season for grass, and how we can better prepare our lawns for next year.

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Over 150 years of family history, grit, and passion for the land!

Meet Jay and Kristen Olsen of Olsen's Sweet Breeze Farm, one of Oconto County’s newly recognized sesquicentennial farms. Originally acquired back in 1876, the homestead has stayed in the family for generations—weathering the Great Depression, transitioning from horsepower to tractors, and keeping traditions like family maple syrup making alive.

Today, the Olsens are honoring their roots by preserving their historic 1911 farmhouse, restoring pastures along the Oconto River for a grass-fed beef operation, and sharing their love for agriculture with their three daughters through 4-H and FFA.

Tune in as Jay and Kristen share stories of family heritage, finding historic records, and what it truly means to embrace the past while building for the future.

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Nearly a century of family, farming, and forward-thinking in Walworth County!

From two horses and a two-row planter back in 1926 to GPS-guided equipment, cover crops, and no-till soil stewardship today, McClellan Farms has seen Wisconsin agriculture evolve across generations.

Join three generations—John (96), his son Tom, and granddaughter Emily Dwyer—as they reflect on the farm’s rich history on Highway 11.

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When Craig Swanberg’s grandfather purchased a heavily wooded plot in Polk County back in November 1926, he cleared the land by hand to start a dairy farm. Nearly a century later, the land remains proudly in the family!

From sweet childhood memories of picking apples along the fence line for grandma’s homemade jelly to refencing pastures and teaching the next generation what "field-to-table" truly means, Craig shares the rich history of the Swanberg Family Farm. Now, with their newly built forever home on the property, Craig and his wife are honoring their roots while looking ahead to the next 50 years!

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D&J Kundinger Farm has officially been recognized as a Wisconsin Century Farm. Owners John and Dorothy Hardesty reflect on the land’s history—from its early logging days supplying local paper mills to generations of dairy farming, midnight calf chases, and rock picking.

Today, original rock-wall barns and cherished family tractors (like their 1978 International 1086 and Farmall C) remain on the homestead. Best of all, the next generation is already catching the farming bug, keeping the family legacy alive for years to come.

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Wisconsin farmers, processors, transporters, and the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council recently hosted potential corn and corn product buyers from Thailand, and Wisconsin farmer and Corn Promotion Board President Casey Kelliher discusses the tour and why meeting with potential buyers is important for Wisconsin growers.

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Wisconsin depends on exports to keep our dairy engine chugging.  Bob Bosold visits with Chad Vincent.  Vincent is not only the President and CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, he is also a member of the WI Ag Export Council.  It was established in 2021 to try and put all Wisconsin commodities at the front of business development globally.  It uses $5 million of state funds to get it all done.  What's the future of that business, and that funding?  Bosold finds out.

We're almost through the wet weather around Wisconsin, but the cooler temperatures are rolling in.  Frost/freeze warnings are everywhere in the state today. Stu Muck breaks down the next 24 hours and the weekend.

If you watch social media, you'll notice that plenty of people have questions on how to store some of the farm produce they've been able to purchase. Why not ask the farmer that grew it?  Larry Lee catches up with Rod Gumz of Gumz Farms in Endeavor.  That family has been growing potatoes, mint, carrots and onions for decades.  Rod makes a few suggestions on how to keep things fresh.

Let's go to Waupaca County this morning for a Century Farm visit.  Kiley Allan has a chat with Three Willow Tree Farm.  Robert "Sonny" Rasmussen Jr. tells her about how he and his siblings are still managing their 40 acres of the original farm which was purchased in 1914.  He says he remembers starting to drive tractor at the age of 7.  Stories brought to you by Compeer Financial.

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There are mixed views on how to store potatoes, onions, and some other vegetable crops.  Rod Gumz with Gumz Farms near Endeavor, Wisconsin shares how they keep the product ready to ship all winter plus an update on harvesting, labor, fuel, and over 100 years of growing mint.

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The story begins back in 1986, when Boston Red Sox fan Barry Levenson found himself completely crushed following his team's heartbreaking loss to the New York Mets in the World Series. Consequently, while wandering aimlessly down the aisles of a Woodman's supermarket late at night with tears rolling down his cheeks, Levenson unexpectedly found solace in the condiment section.

As Ken Zuckerman—marketing director of fine-foods distributor Paul W. Marks Co. and a trained chef—recounts, Levenson stood before the shelves and heard a whisper from the jars telling him that if he collected them, people would come.  That has turned into the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, WI.  Getting ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary!

As the museum prepares to celebrate this incredible milestone on Saturday, October 24, it is asking its friends, fans and fellow mustard mavens to consider a $40 donation in honor of its 40th anniversary through its “$40 for 40 Years” campaign. Funds will support ongoing operations, new exhibits, and the digitization of its extensive collection so mustard fans can explore it from anywhere. Supporters can learn more and donate here. Admission to the museum remains free.

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When the combines have wrapped up the harvest, the real work of marketing all that grain starts to unfold.  Regardless of where it's going, a lot of that grain will travel the Mississippi River.  Kiley Allan catches up with Captain Jimmy "JRock" Cheatam, Hines Furlong Line Inc.  He makes trips up and down the Mississippi daily.  He says recent rains have temporarily relieved drought conditions across the Upper  Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio rivers, allowing barges to operate  without major tonnage restrictions. Fuel prices are at near-record highs, significantly reducing profit margins for towing companies and raising shipping surcharges for agricultural clients. He also discusses the shortage of available and trained labor.

Tonight Wisconsin starts experiencing some dramatic weather changes.  Winds pick up.  Rain moves in and temperatures drop.  Stu Muck says it's only temporary though.

Beginning next week, thousands of Wisconsin youth are heading to the 99th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.  If you're a parent that's not familiar with this event, you might worry.  Larry Lee visits with Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Association and also the National Secretary of the National FFA.  She says parents can rest easy that advisors and adult chaperones have things under control, and the National FFA makes a unified effort with Indianapolis to keep kids safe.

Milk prices are finally starting to rebound after a trough of tough weeks.  Pam Jahnke finds out why from Owen TeVelde, dairy market advisor with EA Risk.  He says that seasonal buying has finally moved in creating a swirl of activity focused on the holiday season.

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