Helping farms understand all the data they can collect on a daily basis can be a little overwhelming.  The good news is that data could hold financial value for the farm.  Stephanie Hoff finds out about how JJ Pagel of Pagel's Ponderosa in Kewaunee County, and agronomist, Carson Dugger keep track.The Association of Equipment Manufacturers are going to make their presence felt with a wide display of agricultural implements the first few days of May on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  Curt Blades, senior vice president of agriculture explains why.Reaching the last mile in rural Wisconsin with broadband technology is an expensive proposition.  Darren Moser, CEO of Marquette-Adams Telephone Cooperative tells Stephanie Hoff about the positive stories he's heard, and the value grants have played in reaching that last mile.John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, focuses on the big rally on cheese and butter prices in Chicago on Monday, and the latest milk production figures released on Monday.  Only 7 of the 24 major dairy producing states saw milk production go up, and the national dairy herd cow number is down 85,000 head compared to last year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Wisconsin agriculture, we talk about every day being Earth Day.  Jill Welke talks about farming practices with Kyle Nilsestuen. He owns Solhjeim Farms in the driftless area of Wisconsin- south of Arcadia. He talked about the conservation practices he uses every day - not just Earth Day. Love is in the air and summer weddings on the way!  If you're planning a wedding at barn event venue - understand that there's a lot of investment going into that facility including insurance.  Carmen Briggin Kutsma, agent with Rural Mutual Insurance in Poynette explains what venue owners need to think about. Charitee Seebecker gives us an update from the Midwest Horse Fair.  The event concluded on Sunday.  She talks To Pam Bounds, one of the coordinators for the "Top Hand Challenge".  This highlights multiple skills that cowboys/cowgirls had to display.  5 different events were involved, and one family made up a large number of the contestants.Cheryl Hartman, lab manager for Fox Valley Quality Control Lab in Kaukauna chats science behind-the-scenes when it comes to milk quality.  This lab is owned by FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.  Every day Hartman's team is sampling thousands of milk samples taking quality measurements, and also monitoring for food related threats like antibiotics and bacteria.  Paid for by FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up in the agriculture industry, you may have heard the phrases, cowboy up or cowgirl up. But for Amberley Snyder, her will to cowgirl up is stronger than most.  Amberley is a professional barrel racer that turned tragedy into triumph and shows just how resilient the agriculture industry really is. Snyder's love for horses began at a young age, leading her into the world of rodeo. By the time she reached high school, she had already clinched a world all-around title, setting her sights on a professional career in rodeo. However, fate dealt her a devastating blow when she was involved in a rollover truck accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Undeterred by the immense physical and emotional hurdles she faced, Snyder made a triumphant return to the competitive arena just 18 months after her life-altering accident. With a seat belt secured to her saddle, she defied expectations and became the first and only professional paralyzed barrel racer in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From marketing your agribusiness to doing your schoolwork -- broadband is not a luxury, it's a requirement. Bringing high-speed internet to rural Wisconsin has been a focus at both the state and federal levels, and rural providers want to see it continue. Millions of dollars have trickled down to providers to not just lay the fiber, but get what they call the ‘last mile’ of service to the end user. Marquette-Adams Telephone Cooperative is one of the providers that has benefited from grant dollars to get internet service into homes. CEO Darren Moser says the grants have been crucial to bridge the broadband gap.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hats because the Midwest Horse Fair is about to get a whole lot wilder as 5 cowboys and 5 cowgirls will compete in the Top Hand Challenge. Pam bound, the competition chair says  A competition of grit, showcasing a range of speed, roping and precision, all for $5,000 in cash. "We took the top five riders, both men and women, who had to qualify for this prestigious event. This year, we're proud to announce an exciting lineup, including a pair of brothers in the top five and a mother-daughter duo competing in the ladies division." The competition takes place at 1:00 PM on April 21at the Showtime Arena, with general admission included with entry to the Midwest Horse Fair.  So, what exactly are these talented competitors facing? The five challenging events include: Breakaway Roping: Riders must rope a calf with a bell collar catch around the neck, with the rope breaking away to stop the time.Pole Bending: Weaving through six poles in the fastest time, with penalties for knocking over any poles.Steer Stopping: Roping the steer with horns and stopping its forward movement.Heeling: Roping one or two hind feet of a steer after it crosses a designated point, with penalties for missing.Barrel Racing: Maneuvering around three barrels in a specified pattern, with precise turns to secure the fastest time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of the dairy industry, it doesn't take long for people to identify the dairy farm family taking care of the land, the animals, and producing that top quality milk.  You recognize the milk truck/semi that's transporting that milk.  You obviously recognize the end products of that milk - cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc.  One element you may not think about is all the quality control measures that are in place to guarantee that you're getting safe, top quality milk to start with. Cheryl Harmon can tell you all about it.  She's been a part of the milk testing quality team at Fox Valley Quality Control Lab in Kaukauna basically since it began.  Harmon now oversees a lab staff that's using highly sophisticated testing to analyze every load of milk that travels from a FarmFirst dairy farm. Listen in as Cheryl explains the volume of testing the handle each day!  It's not just about safety, it's also about quality.  That matters to the dairy farms counting on quality premiums from their processing partners.  Consumers - you should also listen to Cheryl's comments and frustration over antibiotic labeling in the grocery store.  She sets the record straight - in Wisconsin NO MILK contains antibiotics.  It's law, and Cheryl and her team enforce it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been just a year since Wisconsin launched an effort at reaching high school students working to make decisions about what their "next step" might be.  College?  Tech College?  No college?  If you're the first person in your family to consider these options, your questions can outweigh answers.  That's why the College for Rural Wisconsin(CFRW) was created. Headquartered on the UW-Madison campus, CFRW is an outreach service that wants to assist rural school districts that may find themselves short of financing and staff available to counsel students with career questions.  Jennifer Blazek, program director for CFRW, says the goal is to provide resources that might be stretched thin in rural school districts like access to school guidance counselors.  The college is affiliated with 16 other campuses, some private, some public, across the U.S. including Vanderbilt, Yale and the University of Chicago - all part of the STARS College Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Versweyvld, UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist says farms need to slow down and think about how they introduce new employees to their farming duties.  Clear communications about duties and policies like cell phone use are key.It's all about the numbers.  The latest Census of Agriculture painted a pretty bleak picture if you looked at the cumulative trend for Wisconsin farms.  Stephanie Hoff tries to get a grasp on the trends with the help of Jeff Hadacheck, ag economist, who explains the influences behind the trends.Curt Larson, President and CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association says they're months away from reopening an idle livestock facility in Maquoketa, Iowa.  Larson says the building was erected back in the 60's and was state-of-the-art at the time.  Now, they're repairing fences and replacing scales.  He said their hope is to have it fully operational by late summer, early fall.  He explains the situation to Pam Jahnke. MMore jobs than graduates!  That's the story for the graduating class at UW-Platteville's ag school this spring.  Charitee Seebecker discusses numbers and high demand areas with Dr. Tera Montgomery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you're getting married at the farm or your farm is the venue -- put insurance on the to-do list! Carmen Brueggen Katsma is a Rural Mutual Insurance agent out of Poynette. She says she’s seen the wedding barn industry boom in her neck of the woods and she serves a number of them on their insurance needs. She walks us through the basics: the type of insurance you'll need, how to customize the insurance, and common claims.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vegetable processors across the country are feeling price pressure due to tariffs on steel, according to the Midwest Food Products Association. It's amped up the competition with foreign processors. Wisconsin is one of the top states in the production of the major processing vegetables, notably green peas, snap beans, and potatoes. This year, at least two Wisconsin food processors are closing their doors. MWFPA President Jason Culotta represents food processors in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. He says in 2023, the U.S. became a net food importer for the first time. He says this is a problem because food processors cannot compete with the prices of foreign competitors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that beauty is turning into a new marketing opportunity for Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association. Curt Larson, President and CEO of Equity Livestock says their acquisition of the former United Livestock Center in Maquoketa, Iowa, is coming along as they focus on replacing scales and updating fences. The facility in Iowa marks the 12th full-service market that Equity Cooperative Livestock is operating around the Midwest - its second in Iowa. The yard was owned by Tom Scheckel for 25 years and operated as a livestock yard for the first 10.  He said he'd been renting the facilities out for the past 15. Larson said he's anticipating having the refurbished facilities ready for business by sometime this fall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been my great pleasure over the course of my farm broadcasting career to visit with Jerry Apps.  If you've had a chance to enjoy Jerry in a lecture, during his broadcasts on Wisconsin Public Television, or through his endless list of written works, you know why I'm a fan.  Jerry resonates Wisconsin - rural Wisconsin at that! I sat down for an extended conversation with my friend.  He admits that he's challenged with mobility these days, but the mind is as sharp as ever.  Apps latest release, "On Farms and Rural Communities: An Agricultural Ethic for the Future" he focuses his thoughts and attentions on recognizing the importance of rural farming communities and building a new agriculture policy for the future. You can see all of Jerry Apps works on his website as well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney Flick manages her family farm Jazzy Jerseys in Lodi. They milk about 800 cows. She says while 1 billion people will celebrate Earth Day on April 22 this year, it's something she lives every day. “We rely on the land to take care of our family and the cows.” Jazzy Jerseys has reduced water usage by recycling. They use cold water from the well to cool down the milk. That same water is used for the cows and calves. That water eventually ends up in the manure which helps the farm spread the nutrients on the field more evenly. In the field, Jazzy Jerseys utilizes buffer strips to prevent soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Buffer strips are narrow areas of grass that act as a physical barrier between fields, slowing the flow of water. The buffer strips don’t make it easier to farm – it can make things more tedious – but they preserve the soil. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decisions are being made today about county fair animals and exhibits you'll see later this summer.  Stephanie Hoff talks with UW-Extension Youth Livestock Specialist, Bernie O'Rourke, about getting started on the right foot and establishing a partnership with your veterinarian early. The College for Rural Wisconsin may not be a name you're familiar with but it's working to raise awareness.  Jennifer Blazek is the program director for College for Rural Wisconsin and tells Pam Jahnke what they're offering rural school districts to help offset financial constraints and lack of ample school counselors to help students make college or tech college decisions. Today is the final day to enter the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship, coming up Saturday in Dodgeville.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Jenna Vondra, Exec. Dir. of the Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce.  She says they're expecting at least 70 sandwich entries this year. Fits and jerks.  That phrase might describe what's been going on with cheese prices lately.  Mike North, president of the producer division of EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.  North says consumers are signaling they'll cook at home more versus eating out.  That has an impact on not only cheese, but also products like cream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s an artistry to making cheese. There’s also an art to sandwich making. And those two things come together at the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Sandwich Championship. Jenna Vondra, Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director shares how this event got started and what attendees can expect for this year. The event takes place Saturday, April 20th, at the Lee Memorial Pavilion in Harris Park, Dodgeville. Doors will swing open at 10:45 a.m., kicking off a day filled with cheesy delights and culinary excitement. Admission to the event is just five dollars for individuals aged 16 and older, while children aged 15 and younger can enter free of charge. As an added bonus, general admission ticket holders aged 16 and older will receive discount cards valid at 10 participating businesses in the Dodgeville area, as well as a complimentary cup of soup and bottle of water while supplies last. "We've got a diverse panel of 14 judges, including certified barbecue experts and local food enthusiasts," explains Vondra. "It's all about celebrating the artistry and innovation of grilled cheese."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For those whose primary experience with corn is the butter-drenched corn on the cob variety, it might come as a surprise that other forms of sweet corn are in trouble. There has been an ongoing decline in sweet corn production for frozen and canned products and other processed vegetables. Bill Tracy is the Director of the UW Sweet Corn Program and works directly with processors on projects regarding canned veggies. He says this shift is due to changing consumer preferences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is impacting more farm animals than poultry. Dairy cows in several states have also contracted the virus, and it has people concerned about the safety of dairy and meat. Adam Brock joins us, Administrator of the Division of Food and Recreational Safety. he says he’s been getting phone calls about whether eggs, milk, and meat are still safe to eat. He says yes, you can eat all of those things thanks to robust food safety measures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors wrapped up their convention on Saturday in Madison and it was full of great meat offerings and great hands on learning.  Pam Jahnke talks to Dr. Jeff Sindelar, UW-Extension Meat Specialist, about the state-of-the-art Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Center that helped with hands on learning.  It acts as a shining gem attracting new meat processing talent to the state.  Jake Sailer, outgoing president of WAMP, says there's a lot of exciting developments coming this year including promotion of their "meat map".Greenhouses help people manage around the weather, and that's exactly why Dane County Extension pursued a greenhouse.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Lisa Johnson, UW-Extension Horticulture Specialist, about the new greenhouse and how they're using it.Auctions are still happening at a feverish pitch before farmers are focused full time on planting.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group updates Pam Jahnke on the trends they're seeing with equipment and land values.Paid for by Steffes Group.Are consumers changing their buying patterns because of inflation and higher beef prices?  Mike Simone, executive director of research for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, explains how checkoff investments help uncover consumer buying patterns and preferences before they become a problem for producers.  Paid for by Wisconsin Beef Council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have a responsibility to use our resources wisely. And farmers are great examples of how it’s done because they work hard every day to meet the needs of tomorrow. Scott Timm joins us, he comes from a diversified farming operation in Green County and has prioritized environmental sustainability, including cover crops. He was named as one of Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 35 under 35 for his work. He says he doesn’t do it alone – he belongs to a group of farmers that is committed to protecting the soil and the water.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers make up less than 2 percent of the population, yet they are responsible for feeding the world. That’s why preserving natural resources for generations to come is vital in agriculture. For farmers, Earth Day is every day. Brooke Trustem joins us in-studio. She is a 6th generation farmer and works on her family’s dairy farm in Evansville, Larson Acres. She tells us how they've reduced the number of trucks on the road through innovative technology. The family does about 5-10 tours every month: https://larsonacres.com/. World Dairy Expo named the family the 2024 Producer of the Year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.