It’s already started – the back-and-forth weather in a Wisconsin winter that could bring balmy humidity one day and ice the next. The question we’re asking today is how can the environment where you keep your young animals better help you protect them from diseases when we get temperature swings? Eric Rooker with Dairy Doctors works with dairy calves in east central Wisconsin - his customer’s herds range from 30-head to 3,000. He has five considerations for producers this season: 1) know if you have a problem 2) increase calories 3) deep and clean bedding 4) immune modulation and 5) air quality preservation.

It’s already started – the back-and-forth weather in a Wisconsin winter that could bring balmy humidity one day and ice the next. The question we’re asking today is how can the environment where you keep your young animals better help you protect them from diseases when we get temperature swings? Eric Rooker with Dairy Doctors works with dairy calves in east central Wisconsin - his customer’s herds range from 30-head to 3,000. He has five considerations for producers this season: 1) know if you have a problem 2) increase calories 3) deep and clean bedding 4) immune modulation and 5) air quality preservation.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

5 Calf Considerations This Winter

You can't believe all the 'fine points' of harvesting hay until you talk to Tom Kilcer.  As a former ag agent in New York state, Kilcer now acts a researcher in Tennessee.  His book. "Hay in a Day" delivers on some of the details producers often overlook that can make a major impact on their finished hay product.  Bob Bosold finds out what those details are!

Another really pleasant day in Wisconsin before heat starts to build back in.  Stu Muck says the smoke threat also seems to be lessening going into the weekend.  Don't get too comfortable though.  Stu says the heat returns next week.

Whether it's heat or cold, wet or dry, our specialty crop providers face it all.  The state has an abundance of potato, vegetable, cranberry and other specialty crop growers that have been maneuvering through weather challenges, as well as global market access issues.  Kiley Allan visits about the terrain with Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of the WI Farm Service Agency offices through USDA.  Chalmers says there's about $1.6 billion that's been set aside for those specialty growers.  Now, the key is to apply by the August 7th deadline.

Wow - big numbers in the June USDA Milk Production report.  Big cow numbers too.  Pam Jahnke visits with Katie Burgess, dairy analyst with EverAg, about the blow it brings to the dairy complex.  Burgess says Wisconsin has approximately 20,000 more milk cows this June compared to 2025.  Those cows are producing too.  The states June production was up 1.6%. 

You can't believe all the 'fine points' of harvesting hay until you talk to Tom Kilcer.&nbsp; As a former ag agent in New York state, Kilcer now acts a researcher in Tennessee. &nbsp;His book. "Hay in a Day" delivers on some of the details producers often overlook that can make a major impact on their finished hay product.&nbsp; Bob Bosold finds out what those details are!
Another really pleasant day in Wisconsin before heat starts to build back in.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the smoke threat also seems to be lessening going into the weekend.&nbsp; Don't get too comfortable though.&nbsp; Stu says the heat returns next week.
Whether it's heat or cold, wet or dry, our specialty crop providers face it all.&nbsp; The state has an abundance of potato, vegetable, cranberry and other specialty crop growers that have been maneuvering through weather challenges, as well as global market access issues.&nbsp; Kiley Allan visits about the terrain with Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of the WI Farm Service Agency offices through USDA.&nbsp; Chalmers says there's about $1.6 billion that's been set aside for those specialty growers.&nbsp; Now, the key is to apply by the August 7th deadline.
Wow - big numbers in the June USDA Milk Production report.&nbsp; Big cow numbers too.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Katie Burgess, dairy analyst with EverAg, about the blow it brings to the dairy complex.&nbsp; Burgess says Wisconsin has approximately 20,000 more milk cows this June compared to 2025.&nbsp; Those cows are producing too.&nbsp; The states June production was up 1.6%.&nbsp;

June Milk Report Surprises In Several Ways- Katie Burgess

Sustainability isn't just about the environment. Experts say carbon scores can help dairy farmers measure efficiency, improve management, and meet growing marketplace expectations.

Teri Barr talks with Grace Moeller, manager of sustainability initiatives with the National Milk Producers Federation to learn how it could be an important management tool for your farm. 

Sustainability isn't just about the environment. Experts say carbon scores can help dairy farmers measure efficiency, improve management, and meet growing marketplace expectations.
Teri Barr talks with Grace Moeller, manager of sustainability initiatives with the National Milk Producers Federation to learn how it could be an important management tool for your farm.&nbsp;

How Sustainability Goals Can Start on the Farm

The Junior National Hereford Expo is a week-long event that brings an opportunity for kids to showcase their cattle as well as their talents. The event itself rotates across the country every year, and this year, it's taking place in Madison. An event of this magnitude can't be pulled off without the generous support of many people. Jaclyn Bevans sat down with me. She's a board member of the National Hereford Women, as well as a mother, farmer, and a wife. National Hereford Women is one of the organizations that supports Junior Hereford activities both during the Junior Nationals, as well as all year long. She tells us what their mission is.

The Junior National Hereford Expo is a week-long event that brings an opportunity for kids to showcase their cattle as well as their talents. The event itself rotates across the country every year, and this year, it's taking place in Madison. An event of this magnitude can't be pulled off without the generous support of many people. Jaclyn Bevans sat down with me. She's a board member of the National Hereford Women, as well as a mother, farmer, and a wife. National Hereford Women is one of the organizations that supports Junior Hereford activities both during the Junior Nationals, as well as all year long. She tells us what their mission is.

5 Calf Considerations This Winter

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