Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

Stephanie Hoff meets the new president of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors, Tim Brueggen. He owns and operates Falls Meat Service with his family in Pigeon Falls. Tim tells us how this tight-knit processing community is evolving, and why advocacy and government affairs are becoming central to their mission. He also talks about how local processors are adapting to shifting consumer trends, from the booming snack food market to the "buy local" movement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode host Ben Jarboe talks with Noah Hemper the owner of Madison Angling Guide Service to get an update on what's been hot on the Madison chain and a look into some unique fishing. Tom Zidek also joins the show to give a look into how he started his business Hooked & Tagged out of his college dorm room and grew it into a national company based out of the Northwoods. This episode is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops Sun Prairie and Petland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA has been in the news quite a bit recently with their Artemis II mission circling the moon, but they also have a lot of work being done for agriculture. Mike Humber, the NASA Harvest Data Lead and NASA Acres Deputy Director, gives a look into their programs and shares what they look for during and after times of war for the betterment of agriculture world wide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday, August 8, the Madison Mallards will become the Right Bowers and will attempt to break the record for the World’s Largest Game of Euchre. General Manager Sam Rubin tells Stephanie Hoff to get your ticket now, plus a Right Bowers Jersey, a pack of custom Bicycle Cards, and entry into the Tournament with a cash grand prize. Don’t go alone! Send this to your Euchre partner! Learn more: https://northwoodsleague.com/madison-mallards/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs of spring are popping up across Wisconsin, from farm babies and uncertain weather to greenhouses full of early spring plants. Scott Trudell joins me. He works with the plant desk at the Bruce Company. Well-known for their award winning landscape services and premiere garden center, the experts at the company have tips that will help any home gardener show off their green thumb. Scott spends his day fielding questions from people about all things spring backyard planting. Scott tells me about some of the most common questions he gets when his phone rings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not much can get done on the farm today without a tractor, but working around tractors can result in some of the most serious injuries or deaths on the farm if care is not taken. Stephanie Hoff and Division of Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist John Shutske highlight common scenarios that frequently lead to accidents. But more importantly, you'll hear how to prevent them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gardeners are now ready to proceed with all the plans they've been making for 2026.  When they start, questions are likely to follow.  Kiley Allan finds out what common questions are from Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Educator with Dane County Extension Service.  Due to climate change and unpredictable  weather, gardeners should use a soil thermometer rather than specific  dates to decide when to plant. Planting too early in cold soil can cause seeds and tubers to rot.  Johnson says for early crops like peas and potatoes, mid-April is a general starting point in southern Wisconsin, provided the soil is warm enough. For warm-weather crops like tomatoes and peppers, wait until after May 20th and ensure soil is at least 60°F and nighttime air stays above 50°F.Unfortunatley there's another swath of wet weather moving toward Wisconsin.  Stu Muck, ag meterologist, says western Wisconsin could pick up more than an inch of rain after a warm Thursday passes. Wisco

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, signed into law on January 16 of this year. This piece of legislation increases school lunch milk options that are available to students at the lunch counter. Darin Von Ruden is the President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, and he tells Kiley Allan that while the legislation is good news, it hasn’t been easy for schools to keep whole milk in stock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff heads to Stoughton to get a taste of springtime on the farm. At Eugster’s Farm Market, we’re going behind the scenes to talk about the world of lambing and kidding season. From the round-the-clock care for newborn animals to getting the vegetable greenhouses ready for summer, Kat Eugster tells us what it takes to operate this agricultural tourism destination.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s important to drive safe on our roadways regardless of what time of year it is. However, some extra caution is encouraged during busy times of year in rural communities. In the spring, farmers are on the move and much of the equipment they use is bigger than the typical vehicles we share the roadways with. Inspector Kory Schultz with the Wisconsin State Patrol explained some of the rules and regulations we should keep in mind when farm equipment is moving from field to field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff is catching up with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director of Government Relations Jason Mugnaini to reflect on victories from the past session as well as what’s coming. From new transportation efficiencies and vital liability protections for farmers, we’re breaking down what’s happening at the state level and what it means for your operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frustration levels are mounting for many Wisconsin farms as they struggle to try and stay on time with spring planting.  Don't let that frustration force you to make bad decisions!  That's the advice from Andy Grebner, District Sales Manager for Wyffels Hybrids. Grebner says he understands the anxiety farmers are experiencing, but points to preparation and patience as key ingredients to success.  Grebner also reminds growers to share their planting experiences and see what others are doing via the Wyffels website.  From soil temps to actual planting progress, all the information will be there.  Plus, timely podcasts with Wyffels agronomists! Celebrating 80 years of "Keeping It Independent" - Wyffels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coordinating data is becoming a bigger part of the picture for today's beef producers.  Jill Welke finds out about the full scope of information out there from Andrew Coppin of RanchBot.  RanchBot looks at the global situation with beef and indicators like weather and pasture conditions.  The company serves over 12,000 farmers and ranchers by helping them monitor available water and trough levels remotely. Warmer weather in Wisconsin today, but keep an eye on Canada for what might be coming next.  Stu Muck says that system will be dumping feet of snow in places like Alaska and the Northwest.  Ultimately it could bring more wet weather and cooler temperatures to Wisconsin, especially along the Lakeshore. The heavy push of auctions is beginning to draw to a close for the Steffes Group.  Ashley Huhn says as more farmers head to the field for planting, their tempo eases up.  Still, Huhn says prices are remaining firm and resilent on mid-size equipment.  Paid for by Steffes

The severe weather Wisconsin's experienced emphasizes why individual weather data can be so meaningful.  Right now the National Weather Service is asking all residents to consider becoming a part of their weather reporting network.  Ben Jarboe finds out why that individual information can be so powerful from Sarah Marquardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service bureau in S.E. Wisconsin. Frost may surprise some early risers today.  Stu Muck says it's another weather system slowly moving through the state.  The good news is that temps will warm, and we should be able to string together a couple days of dry weather. Consumers may be frustrated with high beef prices, but imagine the anxiety of the beef producers!  Once they sell that animal, they have to consider how expensive it will be to purchase a replacement animal.  Where's the tipping point in this high price arena?  Kiley Allan asks that question of Dan Schaffer.  Schaffer is a former professor in

Jordan Ag Supply in Monroe, WI is a farmer's one-stop shop when it comes to everything they need for field plastics, bunker covers, bags, equipment, and more. Brad Jordan is the Inside and Outside Sales Representative, so when I had the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about everything plastics, I knew he was just the guy to ask what the most important things are that we need to consider when picking out plastics for the farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If other home gardeners are anything like me, they're chomping at the bit to get things in the ground now that spring has sprung here in Wisconsin. Lisa Johnson is the Horticulture Educator for Dane County Extension. She tells me to pump the brakes and wait a little bit before I start planting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year, the Wisconsin Association of Fairs awards Bob Williams Fair Ag Grants. The $1,000 grants are used by fairs to promote Wisconsin agriculture on their grounds. Jenny Hesse, the Fair Manager at the Kenosha County Fairs, tells us about the simplicity of the application process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As farmers, we know lost time for broken equipment, means lost money so we take extra care to make sure we’re performing preventative maintenance on our equipment. But we need to make sure our bodies are also running like a well oiled machine. Lori Tuttle has been a mammographer for 23 years and reminds us that taking the time to take care of ourselves is crucial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CoCoRaHS Rain Gauge Rally is under way and it has sparked groups across the state to join in. One of these groups is the Green Lake Association. Jim Goyette is a member of the group and he says it is a great way to know what is happening in your own back yard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff and Heather Hunt, outreach program manager with the UW-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Program, discuss what it takes to judge specialty meats. At the Wisconsin Specialty Meat Championships and the Wisconsin State Fair Meat Products Contest, judges evaluate everything from traditional snack sticks to old-world, artisanal sausage. Heather tells us how judges maintain their palates and why supporting local processors is a lifelong passion for those in the field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.