Wisconsin farms and rural landowners need to slow down and pay attention to lengthy agreements they're being offered for the land and solar development. Bill Oemichen, Law Professor for UW-Extension says some of these agreements can be 10-14 pages in length, full of details you'll have to live with. Stephanie Hoff leads us through some of the top i…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant regulatory change affecting certain over-the-counter animal medications, prompting a shift towards prescription-only status. This decision, aimed at enhancing oversight and safety, particularly impacts medications commonly used by farmers and horse owners, such as oxytetracycli…

I’ll bet you probably think of Budweiser when you think of the Clydesdale horses. The commercials have certainly made this breed popular. What you may not know is that they are on the endangered species list. We talk about it with Nancy Osterhaus, past president of the Midwest Draft Horse Enthusiasts. First, she tells me about the association and h…

The Curly is a breed of horse from North America known for its unique gene that gives their coats, manes, and tails princess curls. Curly owner Amy Wall of Peshtigo tells us about this rare breed that could be your next best friend. The Curly Horse is often considered the only hypoallergenic horse breed. Wall says the horses are also friendly and t…

The Mauston School District picked up one of Wisconsin's Farm-to-School grants, and it's moving their locally grown food effort forward. Charitee Seebecker finds out what's happening with school coordinator, Jacqui Peyer. Craig Trnka is the CEO of the World Championship Blacksmiths, LLC. He explains how blacksmithing has evolved and gives us perspe…

Dr. Jonathan Levine is on his way to Wisconsin from Texas A&M University to take over at the UW-School of Veterinary Medicine. Pam Jahnke finds out more about where he hails from and what his passion is in veterinary medicine. Craig Trinka is a veteran blacksmith with over 40 years experience. He says getting into the business can be tough so he fo…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just launched a federal order that says lactating cows must test negative for the bird flu before they are transported. Specifically, the cows will get tested for Influenza A viruses which include the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The federal order starts on Monday. Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Prod…

In the world of sports, there are those who seek the thrill of competition, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to excel. For Brandy Von Holten, a former competitive martial artist with dreams of Olympic glory, the journey took an unexpected turn towards the art of mounted archery. “Mounted archery found me," she remarks, reflecting on …

Shoes are fashionable, whether they're for humans or horses. And There was a time when every community had a blacksmith, and their work was focused on utility. Today's blacksmith's still focus on utility and function, but there's also a certain art to what they do. Farriers, the modern-day equivalent of historical blacksmiths, now focus primarily o…

Horses and chickens – it turns out that they complement each other well. So if you have one, you may consider getting the other, says Twain Lockhart. Lockhart is a poultry specialist with Nutrena and gives us insight on how to run your horses and chickens together. He’s also witnessed trends in the poultry industry over the years that he shares wit…

How often should a farrier come over? Should my horse be sore after a farrier visit? What can I look for in my horse to stay ahead of any health problems? These are some of the common questions that Dean Moshier can answer. Moshier is an accredited farrier with the International Association of Professional Farriers. He operates The Balanced Hoof an…

This is the first episode of a new series that features farm destinations across Wisconsin and highlights the bounty of specialty crops that these farms produce. Over the next several months, we’ll go to strawberry patches, vineyards, cranberry bogs, fields of flowers, and more with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Executive Director…

With graduation just around the corner, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture is buzzing with anticipation and celebration as students prepare to embark on their next adventures in the agricultural industry. Amidst the final exams and job interviews, the job market for these grads is looking good. According to Platteville’s …

A big smile comes across my face when I see the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile weaving through traffic, how about you? Samantha Benish joins us in-studio. She’s a brand ambassador for Oscar Mayer and drives the Wienermobile across the country. Her official title is Hotdogger, which is a one-year position with the company. She tells us what it takes to dr…

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 …

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…

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 ag…

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 th…

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…

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 ma…

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 c…

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 cu…

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 …

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 le…

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 …

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 …

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…

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…

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, Ap…

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 …

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, …

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 learnin…

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 W…

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, Lar…

Wisconsin 4-H is asking the state's businesses and agribusinesses to sound off on how 4-H can prepare future employees for their opportunities. Jill Jorgensen, UW-Extension 4-H Specialist in Green Bay talks with Pam Jahnke about how the survey's constructed and what they hope it accomplishes. Survey results are being gathered until the end of the m…

Jill Jorgensen, WI Youth Development 4-H Animal Science and Agriculture Outreach Specialist in Green Bay is helping spread the word about an important survey underway, gauging employers views on 4-H programming. University Extension 4-H programs from throughout the upper Midwest are conducting the survey on Food, Agriculture, & Related Businesses W…

Demand for beef has remained strong as consumers repeatedly claim they will continue purchasing beef, both in retail and foodservice settings. Consumers continue to rank beef as a top source of protein, superior in taste, nutritious, and good for social gatherings and special occasions. At the same time, the beef industry is observing some decline …

Wisconsin has more than 500 independent large, medium and small meat processors that dot the state, and Jake Sailer, president of Sailer Meat's in Elmwood, wants all of them involved with the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP)! Sailer is the outgoing president of WAMP, excited about what the board has lined up for 2024. He highlighted …

Coffee to Costa Rica is like milk to Wisconsin. Bob Bosold visits with tour guide Miquel at Doka Coffee Estate about everything from weather to the best way to brew a cup. The Dane County Farmers Market kicked off its summer season on the Capitol Square Saturday. Jamie Buegel, Farmers Market Manager, talks about the volume of vendors they have this…

The Dane County Farmers Market is ready to return to the Capitol Square. As the largest producer only farmers market in America, it will be celebrating its 52nd year on the square. “The Dane County Farmers Market was founded in September of 1972 with just five farmers set up on the Capitol Square,” says Jamie Bugel, Market Manager for the Dane Coun…

The excitement on the UW-Rivers Falls campus is palpable as seniors wrap up their last semester and prepare to accept their diplomas. The news from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is that the job market for these grads is looking good. So good, that students have to weigh the benefits of each job offer carefully before d…

There's no better way to understand the dry winter then riding with a barge captain on the Mississippi. Jim Cheatam is a barge captain with Western River who's also active sharing his stories on social media. Charitee Seebecker talked with him about current water levels, what's moving on the waterway today, and what worries him about the 2024 seaso…

Imagine you're putting together your own engine. You've gone through the process of picking out the best products and start putting them together to build or rebuild your farm truck or tractor. But then you notice that something is off. Now you have to disassemble the engine and start from scratch. Sound familiar? Baril Engine Rebuilding can help s…

Wisconsin Senator Joan Ballweg is summing up the work completed at the state house like the springtime sport we're watching - baseball. In a conversation with Pam Jahnke, Ballweg acknowledged there were some successes that crossed the plate like getting additional financial support for the states county fairs, but also missed opportunities due in p…

Derek Ahl owns and operates Northern Family Farms in Merrillan, WI. His business focuses on the shrubs and ornamental trees that homeowners are looking for at this time of year. Jill Welke visits the farm and finds out how the winter impacted their stock, and what customers are looking for this spring. North Carolina has become the seventh state th…

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is circulating again, but it’s impacting more than birds. Several states have found this strain of bird flu in dairy cows. Wisconsin has not had a case yet this year, but it has a system in place to help prevent the spread of animal disease if it does come into our state. Wisconsin requires anyone with l…

Another episode of Top Chef Wisconsin will air tonight on the Bravo Network. Stephanie Hoff talks with some of the contestants on their impression of the event and the emphasis on Wisconsin commodities. She also chats with some of the Wisconsin cheesemakers that made appearances on the show. High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is still making he…

Wisconsin is moving away from carbon-based fuels such as coal, and moving toward renewable energy such as wind and solar. This means there are more opportunities for farmers to add value to their farms with solar arrays. But you’re going to want to proceed with caution. Bill Oemichen joins us in-studio. He’s a professor of law at the UW-Madison Div…

Blake Foraker joins us. He’s an assistant professor of meat science at Washington State University. His expertise lies in beef on dairy cross animals and how to improve the traits in these cattle to keep their value in the beef market. He says beef on dairy cross animals isn’t new, but they haven’t been this popular until fairly recently. See omnys…

Soil health remains a top-of-mind concern for farmers. With spring planting season just ahead, it’s important to take proper steps before and after planting to better control weeds. Rodrigo Werle, UW-Extension Cropping Systems Weed Specialist, says recent snow and rain has helped soil moisture improve which will help farmers manage their weeds in t…