In 2005, Jackie Allenbrand founded P.H.A.R.M. Dog USA to help farmers with disabilities or illnesses. The program's name stands for "Pets Helping Agriculture in Rural Missouri," and in 2012, Allenbrand added "USA" to reflect its national reach. "I started the program after hearing a farmer's story about his dog helping him manage cattle," Allenbran…

Pest survey specialists at DATCP collect and manage data on plant pests, including insects, that threaten agricultural production and pose trade barriers. Data is collected through field-based sampling and from networks of cooperators across Wisconsin. The program conducts long-term historical pest surveys, while continually adapting and developing…

Wisconsin's flagship university is a research powerhouse, and it relies on federal money to maintain that status. UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin tells Mid-West Farm Report that funding stoppages are evolving. She says freezes could have ripple effects in the community, particularly in science and agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for…

Renewable energy has been a hot topic the last few years, especially with farmers and their land. Graham Christensen is a family farmer out of Nebraska who is also the president of a company that develops solar energy systems. He gives a different perspective on renewable energy to put minds at ease. Christensen also gives insight on the things to …

We’re looking forward to Wisconsin’s Ag Day at the Capitol tomorrow hosted by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and co-sponsored by several other farm advocacy groups ranging from dairy to specialty crops. But farmers have not been idle when it comes to meeting with lawmakers. Recently, biofuels took center stage when about 35 corn and soybean g…

Dan Basse has a chart he's watching that reflects what's happening globally with tariffs and retaliatory tariffs. It's pretty busy these days. Basse is the founder and president of AgResource. During the Professional Dairy Producers business conference he shared the direction he sees some commodities going in light of these influences. He explains …

Dairy hasn't felt the impacts of tariffs yet - but it likely will. That's the conclusion of Dr. Leonard Polzin, dairy economist at UW-River Falls and state UW-Extension Dairy Economist. Polzin talks to Bob Bosold about specific areas that might be targeted, and how Wisconsin's labeling on specialty cheeses might impact some of those tariffs. Wiscon…

The University of Wisconsin System is asking for $7 million in the state biennial budget to continue support for the Dairy Innovation Hub. The Hub started in 2019, supporting dairy research at three UW campuses: Madison, Platteville, and River Falls. UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin tells Mid-West Farm Report why the Dairy Innovation Hub is a…

As spring planting season nears, Wisconsin farmers face rising stress levels. Concerns about finances, unpredictable weather, and labor shortages can weigh heavily on their minds. Fortunately, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection offers resources like the Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Program to provide vital support.…

Between the authoring of a state budget and other law-writing business going on in the State Capitol, farm lobby groups are busy. Chad Zuleger is the director of government affairs with the Dairy Business Association. He pulls out some examples of what DBA wants to see support for in the state budget. It includes $150 million for the Agricultural R…

A new organization is working to ensure rural Wisconsin thrives. The Rural Policy Institute (RPI) was formed in July 2024 as a nonprofit, non-partisan coalition of agricultural and rural organizations. Its goal is to research and develop policies that promote generational prosperity in rural communities. "Rural Wisconsin has unique challenges, and …

You've likely heard us talk throughout the month about becoming a rainfall reporter through the National Weather Service's Rain Gauge Rally. But how did this initiative come to be? It all started when the National Weather Service partnered with a creative group of University of Wisconsin-Madison students to develop a fresh and engaging way to encou…

The Carbon, Crops + Cows program, hosted by Professional Dairy Producers, helps farmers measure and manage sustainability metrics while exploring future opportunities and challenges. This one-day event will be held on March 25 in Kewaunee, and March 26 in Sun Prairie, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch and materials provided. Executive Director Shel…

With weather starting to warm up farmers are thinking about the upcoming planting season. One of the top questions ahead of planting is whether a field should be tilled or cultivated or not. Francisco Arriaga a soil science specialist with UW-Extension says that whenever possible do not till. Choosing not to till allows nutrients to stay within the…

Typically, through mid-March Wisconsin has around 30-50 wildfires. This year the state has seen 227. Jolene Ackerman the wildland urban program coordinator with the DNR says that an unusually dry winter may be to blame. Ackerman also says that recent warm days have led to more outdoor activities and burns that have broken containment. She also give…

Sarah Hagenow, Poynette, feels at home in Wisconsin’s agricultural industry and enjoys telling the stories of its hard-working people. She is a senior at the University of Minnesota and will graduate with a degree in agricultural and food business management and a minor in international agriculture. Hagenow’s youth was characterized by involvement …

Olivia Lulich, Lyndon Station, currently teaches agricultural education at Viroqua Area Schools. She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture education. There she held leadership roles in Block and Bridle, National Agri-Marketing Association, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors, and the Interna…

Rain Gauge Rally 2025 continues with the National Weather Service asking the general public to engage as rainfall reporters and weather observers. Ben Jarboe finds out more about the staff behind the forecast by talking to Sarah Marquardt, Senior Service Hydrologist / Meteorologist in the NWS office in Sullivan. She explains how they network with o…

Calving season can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging times on the farm. Ensuring healthy deliveries and strong calves requires preparation, vigilance, and the right tools on hand. Charitee Seebecker gets some tips from veterinarian, Dr. Angela Garavet, with Armor Animal Health says that with unpredictable weather and unexpected complicat…

Farmers now have a new opportunity to improve their crop yields with the launch of BASF’s Real Results Yield Challenge. This initiative aims to show how fungicides can protect yields and maximize returns. Recent USDA data shows that average crop yields were down 5% in late 2024. "We heard many farmers express regret over missed fungicide applicatio…

Challenges on the farm? Maybe your mind first moves to equipment malfunctions, animal health, or crop conditions. Weather and markets probably top the list, too. But Farm Management Outreach Specialist Stephanie Plaster says more and more families struggle with navigating child care and health insurance options. She calls these "hidden challenges" …

Don’t jump the gun in putting your cattle out on pasture. It could hurt your forage supply in the long run. This is according to Adam Abel. He’s the State Grazing Land Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service or NRCS. He jokes that when he sees animals grazing already this time of year, he’s got to refrain from knocking on doors. …

Natalie Roe, Monticello, grew up on a 5,000-acre cash crop farm with a commercial grain elevator. Roe graduated from UW-Madison in December 2024 with bachelor’s degrees in dairy science and life sciences communication and a certificate in digital studies. After holding many summer internships in agriculture and communications roles, Roe now works f…

Mikayla Flyte, Coloma, is completing a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in sports psychology from Ripon College. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in English and education from Ripon College in spring 2024 after student teaching at Berlin Middle School and Laconia High School. Flyte competed for five years on the coll…

Farmers are facing a bumpy road ahead as trade policies and global economic shifts create uncertainty in agriculture. Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company, recently shared his insights on these challenges and what they mean for the industry. "We're now trading every headline," Basse explained. "Many experienced traders are stepping away becau…

For many people in Wisconsin, farming is a way of life, but what if you were to have an accident that changed how you do things forever? John Mitchell of Mitchell Brothers farm shares his story of an accident that had him questioning the future of his operation. After losing his right arm and needing his left foot reattached, he shares how the AgrA…

Data on the farm is valuable, not just to the farmer but to other business entities. But who really owns and controls on-farm data coming in through smart devices? Bill Oemichen is a professor of law at UW-Madison's Division of Extension. He tells us where your farm information is going and how you can get additional value from the data. First, he …

Michelle Stangler, Watertown, grew up on her family’s dairy farm and was active in 4-H and FFA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism and agricultural marketing communications in May 2024 from UW-River Falls. There she held leadership roles in Collegiate Farm Bureau and other agricultural communication organizations. Stangler completed int…

Allison Foster, Waupun, is an enthusiastic food scientist with a passion for sharing the story of agriculture and food with others. Foster is a Scientist II at Grande Cheese Company where she works to improve cheesemaking processes and create new products. She holds a Bachelor of Science in dairy science from UW-Platteville, where she gained experi…

A Wisconsin beef producer has been named secretary/treasurer of the Cattlemen's Beef Board. Terry Quam from Marda Angus in Lodi was named to the position in January. Bob Bosold visits with Quam about the direction of the industry, challenges identified by CBB, and how they're working to invest checkoff dollars wisely to get answers. Today will be f…

Calving season can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging times on the farm. Ensuring healthy deliveries and strong calves requires preparation, vigilance, and the right tools on hand. Veterinarian Dr. Angela Garavet with Armor Animal Health says that with unpredictable weather and unexpected complications always a possibility, knowing what s…

Springtime is busy for the equine veterinarians on staff at IronGate Clinic in Madison. Howard Ketover is one of them. He serves farms, hobbyists, and boarding facilities across Dane County and beyond. He says he puts a lot of miles on in the spring because horses and their owners are in a key transition period. It’s time to move from a less active…

March is National Nutrition Month and "beef" wants to be a part of that conversation! Shalene McNeill, PhD, RDN, NCBA’s executive director of Nutrition Science, Health & Wellness, along with Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council both want you to know the truth of beef protein and what it brings to your diet. Driving beef d…

While the buzz has largely been on the national scene with department cuts and program elimination, here in Wisconsin work is quietly ongoing to craft budget plans and programs. Ben Jarboe gets an update on one senator's perspective and objectives. Senator Brad Pfaff grew up in agriculture and was temporary Secretary of Agriculture at WDATCP. He ex…

The National Weather Service relies on volunteer weather observers to provide real-time weather data. That data helps meteorologists make more accurate predictions. Tim Halbach is the warning coordination meteorologist for NWS-Milwaukee. He says one weather observer in one town isn't enough because precipitation amounts can vary greatly between mil…

Top of mind for many dairy farmers is the farm's efficiency as well as animal welfare. Emily Skowronski and Katie Darnell with Cattle Care share how their use of cameras tracks employees work while making sure the cattle are comfortable. The cameras have AI for facial recognition so farmers can track each worker throughout the operation. They also …

Retirement is something that’s usually celebrated with parties and congratulations. But in farming, it doesn’t quite go like that. There are a few reasons for this, but a main one is a question around identity. If you’re not a farmer, then who are you? That question typically delays farm transitions and succession planning. Today we hear from Unive…

Congratulations graduates! The Farm & Industry Short Course at UW-River Falls concluded this week, and the grads are ready to take what they’ve learned back into the agriculture industry. Today we’re catching up with two FISC students. Kevin Biese from Wrightstown comes from a family-owned dairy milking about 1,000 cows. He said the Farm and Indust…

Wisconsin's dairy industry is a key part of the state's economy, and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is working hard to support local farmers, promote the state's dairy products, and build trust with consumers. Sandy Madland, member of the DFW Board of Directors, is joining us for this month's check-in with Dairy Checkoff to share how they make sure Wis…

As Midwest farmers gear up for spring fieldwork, Mother Nature might have other plans. While some are eager to plant early to stay ahead of potential crop stress, Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist for Conduit, says there’s still plenty of uncertainty in the forecast. With drought concerns still looming and global weather patterns shif…

Rachel Armstrong, attorney and founder of Farm Commons, is busy handling a lot of questions from farmers about federal funding freezes. What can you do if you're holding a signed, binding, government contract that the government has decided not to honor? Is there recourse? Is there a penalty if I don't go forward with a project given the unknown ci…

Six candidates are working to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. That also signals the final phase of service for Halei Heinzel, our current "Alice." She visits with Stephanie Hoff about the learning journey the six will experience leading up to the May finale in Crawford County. The top candidates are: Allison Foster, Waupun, Michelle Stangler, W…

Ever wondered how your backyard rain gauge could help improve weather forecasts and even assist farmers? The National Weather Service is calling on Wisconsin residents to join the CoCoRaHS Network (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network) through their Rain Gauge Rally. This volunteer network of dedicated weather watchers records rainf…

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection awarded nine projects funding for the 2025 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. These grants aim to find and fine-tune methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to farm fields, protecting soil and water. Ted Hoffman, an independent crop consultant with InDepth Agronomy,…

Farmers and organizations across the country are feeling uncertain about government contracts tied to USDA programs like EQIP, CSP, and REAP. With funding frozen and contract decisions unclear, producers are left wondering what to do next. "We've been getting a lot of questions from farmers who already started projects or hired contractors," said R…

Jon Goetz has been recognized as a 2025 GroundBreaker of the Year Honorable Mention by Compeer Financial. Each year, Compeer Financial celebrates young, beginning, and small farmers for their dedication to agriculture and their community. Goetz's farming journey started with his grandfather's land, which sparked his lifelong interest in agriculture…

Hosting the Alice in Dairyland finals – it’s a big deal for a county. It brings statewide news coverage and drives local interest in the county’s agribusiness industry! Carol Roth is co-chairing the Crawford County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee, the host this year. Roth was most recently the executive director for Driftless Development Inc. S…

The freeze on federal funding is hitting a group just as they enter their busiest season. FairShare CSA coalition recently was informed that their grant meant to promote and expand CSA programs—has been canceled. Tess Romanski, FairShare CSA Communications & Development Manager says With the funding loss and uncertainty around conservation programs…

It's been an interesting few months for the new president of the Midwest Food Products Association. As side from trying to get to know his members, Nick Novak is now also trying to manage his way through serving members facing the impacts of tariffs. Ben Jarboe visit with Novak about how prices and operations are changing while facing new steel and…

April is going to bring some changes to the dairy cattle genetic arena. Katie Schmitt joins us from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, an organization responsible for genetic evaluations of dairy cattle and goats in the United States. Schmitt says the council is due for a genetic index adjustment and a genetic base change in April. She says dair…