The 2021 Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is this weekend. Farm Director Pam Jahnke talks with Bob Black, a longtime organizer and volunteer for the sheep industry, about the festival's comeback this year. The event features something for every member of the family, with an emphasis on fiber arts, but also national shows and stock dog trials.

Farm assistant Stephanie Hoff talks to Matt Rehberg, a first-generation grain farmer near Clinton and president of the Ag Business Council of Rock County. Rehberg gives a look at what a local organization can do to support the ag industry. The council’s main focus is its Agriculture Ambassador program. It also has a scholarship program. While some programs had to be put on hold during the pandemic, it did not stop the council from sending about $1,000 to seven different food pantries in the area.

Global Dairy Trade results show the overall index up 4 percent. For skim and whole milk powder, cheese, and butter, prices went up on the global market. But the U.S. prices are lower, giving those markets export opportunities, says ever.ag broker Matt Tranel. He cautions shipping and trucking logistical issues could inhibit transportation of goods. 

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WEC Energy Group plans to purchase the Koshkonong Solar Center upon approval and completion. It would be the largest solar farm in Wisconsin, and it's under controversy from Cambridge residents for tarnishing the rural landscape, being unsafe for residents or even bringing land value down. WEC Energy Group's Brendan Conway responds to general solar farm concerns and explains the solar farm implementation process. 

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Bob Bosold talks with Alaskan beef and hay producer Scott Mugridge about the state's ag industry. He says Alaska is behind the times in technology compared to the lower 48 states by about 50 years. Murgridge says to solve that, the state needs to invest in infrastructure. He says Alaska leads the nation in agriculture growth and has the highest percentage of women and veterans in agriculture. He adds the state has the potential to grow its agriculture economy and diversify the income of the residents. 

Pam Jahnke catches up with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Auction Group. The value of used farm equipment continues to climb. Huhn says they are in the middle of their selling season. He says they've got 120 auctions on the books. Steffes Auction Group is all online.

Val Gaffney of the Wisconsin Beef Council joins the show to talk about the opportunity for Wisconsin beef in Latin America. She explains the difference between raising beef in Costa Rica versus in Wisconsin, such as mountains, rough terrain and limited pasture.  

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Larson Acres, a 2,800-cow dairy in Evansville, is tackling the statewide labor shortage by working together. The family and its 75 employees have had to take on tasks outside of the job description to keep the farm operating smoothly -- from milking cows to mowing lawn. Sandy Larson shares the importance of talking to state legislators about the challenges farmers face. She also talks about preparing for World Dairy Expo, which puts Wisconsin dairy farms on an international stage.   

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Matt Rehberg, a first-generation grain farmer near Clinton and president of the Ag Business Council of Rock County shares what the local ag organization is working on this year, and how it continued to advocate for agriculture during the pandemic. The organization's golf outing is tomorrow.

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