Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

Wisconsin's Alice in Dairyland, Kaitlyn Reilly, is sharing the colorful message of Wisconsin cranberries for the upcoming Valentine celebration!  Not only does the fruit pack flavor - but also plenty of nutrition! Dr. Paul Mitchell, UW-Madison Ag Economist, shares some alarming numbers about farm bankruptcies in Wisconsin - and the untold number of farms that are close to bankruptcy but have been reorganizing their farm plans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Kremer, soybean grower from Pittsville, is out in Washington, DC, talking biodiesel with elected officials.  Kremer's currently the treasurer for the American Soybean Association, and he tells Pam Jahnke that they're pushing hard to restore a blenders credit that's been missing for 2 years. Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures analyst, acknowledges that markets have been dull at best this week.  That could all change at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning with the World Ag Supply Demand report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New survey information on Wisconsin consumers shows we're all about the meat!  Angie Horkan with the Wisconsin Beef Council says the state paces well ahead of the national average on the amount of beef we consume in a week.  She also notes that Wisconsinites are less likely to have sampled plant based proteins! Even specialty crops in Wisconsin including fruits and vegetables are struggling with low prices.  Jed Colquhoun, associate professor in horticulture on the UW-Madison campus, says growers are now talking about creating some regional brands to try and add value to their products. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of the most complex buildings the state of Wisconsin has ever undertaken, and it's almost complete on the UW-Madison campus.  The UW Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building should be ready for occupancy by this spring according to Jeff Sindelar, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. The U.S. may have a lot of things - but it definitely doesn't have enough fertilizer plants to supply farmers.  Chris Short with CHS, talks with Jenna Preston about the world production outlook for fertilizers and what farmers need to keep an eye on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Acheson of South Central Wisconsin Hemp is trying to get ahead of all the interest in growing and processing the crop in the state.  His cooperative approach to the opportunity is designed to protect farmers from out of state commercial interests.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winners abound at the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo!  Jenna Preston has a wrap up of the 8 chefs that competed in the annual Taste of Elegance. Depression and farm suicide has been a major theme at many Wisconsin conferences this winter.  Jeff Diztenberger, farmer from Albany, lived it first hand and shares his experiences with the audience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryce Knorr with Farm Futures magazine brings the latest insights into what's happening in Washington, DC, between the US and China trade negotiators. Paul Mitchell, UW Ag Economist, shares insights into what farm bankruptcy numbers tell us about Wisconsin agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headline statewide is the historical subzero weather, but dialy chores on the farm have to go on.  Mitch Breunig, owner of Mystic Valley dairy in Roxbury north of Madison, shares a day in the life of a dairy farmer for consumers.  Weather's only one of the challenges dairy farmers are facing today. There's  also legislation being reintroduced in Madison to provide fundingfor safety equipment on some older models of tractors.  ROPS funding could be coming back around in 2019, thanks to Rep. Bob Kulp of Stratford and others iin the state house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin farmers will need to use care in 2019 when it comes to dicamba technology in soybeans specifically.  Dr. Rodrigo Werle, UW Extension Weed Specialist, has wrapped up a survey from 2018 that shows how the herbicide technology was used and what needs to change for 2019. Poor bottom lines are forcing some dairies to bring livestock home from custom operators that had been caring for the animals.  But that may suddenly force them into the permitted CAFO program - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation.  Permits just don't happen according to Kevin Erb, UW Extension Nutrient Program Director. Bryce Knorr, Commodity Specialist with Farm Futures Magazine, says this bitter weather is impacting the wheat market, and all eyes are on the meetings with China starting tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mark Markel, Dean of UW-School of Veterinary Medicine explains their latest launch of a building campaign to expand the school and clinic. Wisconsin Farmers Union had a great turnout at their 88th annual state convention in Appleton.  Darren Von Ruden, WFU president explains the membership uptick.  Roger Johnson, NFU president was also in attendance and comments on the government reopening and what agriculture needs. Jennifer Blazek, coordinator of Wisconsin's Farm and Industry Short Course, updates student enrollment and curriculum updates for the program dating back to the 1930's. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's largest dairy and livestock operators are invited to meet with some of the state regulators that permit them beginning in February.  Kevin Erb, Extension Nutrient Manager, says the meetings are designed to keep the line of communications open in all channels.   Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy Dairy Advisor, highlights some of the maintenance bonuses available to farms in the 2019 incentive packages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers really DON'T know what they're getting in the dairy showcase especially when it comes to imitation cheeses from plant based sources.  New survey out shows how deep confusion is. Farm Futures is releasing their acreage estimates this morning and we get a preview from Bryce Knorr.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angie Horkan from the WI Beef Council says that 2018 wasn't bad for WI beef producers .  Why?  Angie Horkan  from the Wisconsin Beef Council explains consumer trends the industry is looking at for 2019. Jenna Preston also brings an update on hemp interest in the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 FSA offices in Wisconsin reopen again today for limited sevice to farmers as the government shutdown continues. Bryce Knorr, Commodity Specialist with Farm Futures, says the information slow down to the market place is becoming increasingly frustrating as Brazil's harvest moves forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen in as Pam learns more about the building campaign that's been launched by the School of Veterinary Medicine at UW-Madison.  Dr. Mark Markel, Dean of the School , explains how crowded the school's become and the always expanding specialized areas of animal care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's changes coming to Wisconsin's Manure Risk Advisory System beginning in February.  Mark Jenks from DATCP has the updates. Eight chefs from Wisconsin have been named finalists in the annual Taste of Elegance, hosted by the Wisconsin Pork Producers on January 31st. Mike North, Commodity Risk Management Group in Platteville, updates us on the latest GDT sale in the Oceania region and what it's impact may be on Wisconsin milk prices.  Plus, dairy's walking blind with no government reports available to update cheese volumes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the Wisconsin Farmers Union prepares for their annual meeting in Appleton - focused on supply management and consolidation in agriculture - the Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic has a different twist. Tom Bressler, executive director of the WI Agribusiness Association, says while attendance may be a little soft at this year's WI Agribusiness Classic - attitudes are still positive.  He says the biggest topic keeping coop managers awake at night is finding qualified employees for all the jobs they have vacant! Bryce Knorr with Farm Futures magazine says the upcoming MLK holiday may be just what the markets need since they're missing so many key USDA reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin delegation attending the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Anniversary convention in New Orleans got shot down Tuesday in an effort to investigate supply management plans for the dairy industry.  Jim Holte, WI Farm Bureau President, says it's always difficult to try and get change on national policy, but he thought the state made a good argument. Weather may not be real inviting for building - but for people that have found their piece of paradise in the country, they may have some surprises in the wings.  Chad McGlothlen, lending advisor with Compeer Financial, says conventional lenders may not share your enthusiasm about purchasing raw land you envision as your future home.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's own Kelly Wilfert scores in the American Farm Bureau Discussion meet in New Orleans, as President Trump focuses on the border wall and the government shut down. 42% of private wells tested in southwest Wisconsin are considered contaminated.  Ken Bradbury, WI State Geologist, breaks down some of the details from their survey. Bryce Knorr, commodity specialist with Farm Futures, concentrates on the Brexit vote today and where ships are going with U.S. grain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've got the latest update from the 100th American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Meeting in New Orleans, and it shows two Wisconsin competitors moving forward! Plus we're taking a closer look at some technical upgrades Wisconsin's Manure Risk Advisory Service is bringing to Wisconsin livestock owners and nutrient managers beginning in February with Mark Jenks from the Dept. of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.