Field demonstrations are a core attraction at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Ron Zygarlicke, field demonstration chairman, tells Stephanie Hoff about the firsthand look at machinery and techniques in action showgoers can expect.

Field demonstrations are a core attraction at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Ron Zygarlicke, field demonstration chairman, tells Stephanie Hoff about the firsthand look at machinery and techniques in action showgoers can expect.

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!

Bales & Better Bottom Lines -- A Preview Of The Field Demos

The states weather network keeps getting upgrades that help Wisconsin farmers, and anybody that enjoys the outdoors.  One of the latest tools added is Plant Available Water readings.  Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet, the states mesonet of weather stations, says they now have 400 soil sensors to tip off farmers when things are too dry, or too wet.

Vagasky says the soil sensors measure moisture at 2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 inches of depth.  It compares the values to the maximum amount of water a plant can extract from the soil.  This blanket of sensors puts Wisconsin near the top as one of the most comprehensive soil moisture networks in the United States.

All information is accessible real-time at wisconet.wisc.edu's dashboard.

The states weather network keeps getting upgrades that help Wisconsin farmers, and anybody that enjoys the outdoors.&nbsp; One of the latest tools added is Plant Available Water readings.&nbsp; Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet, the states mesonet of weather stations, says they now have 400 soil sensors to tip off farmers when things are too dry, or too wet.
Vagasky says the soil sensors measure moisture at 2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 inches of depth.&nbsp; It compares the values to the maximum amount of water a plant can extract from the soil.&nbsp; This blanket of sensors puts Wisconsin near the top as one of the most comprehensive soil moisture networks in the United States.
All information is accessible real-time at wisconet.wisc.edu's dashboard.

Less Guessing On Soil Moistures In The State - Chris Vagasky

This year, Wisconsin's spring weather was good for a lot of different crops. The same is true for the rhubarb crop. Kathy Burrs is the owner and operator of Burrs Berry Patch in Barneveld, Wisconsin. She tells us about this year's crop growth.

This year, Wisconsin's spring weather was good for a lot of different crops. The same is true for the rhubarb crop. Kathy Burrs is the owner and operator of Burrs Berry Patch in Barneveld, Wisconsin. She tells us about this year's crop growth.

Late Spring Weather Boosts Rhubarb Growth

The loss of a crop is awful.  The loss of a tradition, even more painful.  This year's erratic weather has caused some Wisconsin strawberry growers to rethink their plan.  Kiley Allan gets the story from Danielle Clark of Mayberry Farms in Mayville.  Their strawberry harvest is over before it started. They have pick-your-own strawberries, honeybees, row crops, and a newly planted apple orchard, backyard livestock collection of chickens and show lambs, makes skincare with farm grown ingredients such as strawberries, beeswax, tallow and lard. Agronomist believes Phytophthora attacked their plants - putting an end to their season before it started.  Clark says they had a little last year, but removed diseased plants but because soil doesn't drain well and the spring was cool and wet it accelerated it to a  total loss. One of their brand pillars is authenticity, so Danielle felt it was important to give the community an open and honest announcement that they would not have pick your own strawberries this year. She felt it was important to give enough time to digest the information and determine where they will go instead. The farm was met with an overwhelming amount of support from the community. The farm will convert the affected soil to an apple orchard expansion.

Rain is just starting to move into Wisconsin this morning.  Stu Muck says it'll hang around through the day Friday, but allow for a beautiful weekend of drier weather.

What do Wisconsin livestock owners need to think about regarding New World Screw Worm?  Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Livestock Sales Association in Baraboo feels confident that Texas has the insect under control.  Larson says market disruption so far has been minimal.  He also says the chances of the insect making it to Wisconsin are thin.  Still, for Wisconsin livestock operators that house/grow/breed their animals in other states, thinking through possible quarantine restrictions is not a bad plan.  Pam Jahnke visits with Larson.

The state's largest outdoor agriculture event depends on volunteers, weather and commercial exhibitors.  How's the 2026 show coming together?  Stephanie Hoff gets a preview from Janet Keller, general manager, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.  Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is currently managing a "critical mass" of calls from potential exhibitors and sponsors to build the schedule and finalize the official program. The organization recently expanded its small staff by hiring Kate Borren as program coordinator and Abby George to handle financial bookkeeping. Unlike most other agricultural shows, this event moves to a different site within the state. Reorganized in 2023 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the show’s mission focuses on education and  resources for agriculture, health, safety, and food sourcing for both  farmers and consumers. The event requires a minimum of 200 acres to host—ideally on a modern dairy farm—and must be booked several years in advance so host farms can properly adjust their crop rotation schedules. The event logo changes every year to reflect the host county's unique identity. For 2026, the logo features the outline of Marathon County, the town of Stratford, and dairy cows representing the host farm, No Joke Dairy.

The loss of a crop is awful.&nbsp; The loss of a tradition, even more painful.&nbsp; This year's erratic weather has caused some Wisconsin strawberry growers to rethink their plan.&nbsp; Kiley Allan gets the story from Danielle Clark of Mayberry Farms in Mayville.&nbsp; Their strawberry harvest is over before it started. They have pick-your-own strawberries, honeybees, row crops, and a newly planted apple orchard, backyard livestock collection of chickens&nbsp;and show lambs, makes skincare with farm grown ingredients such as strawberries, beeswax, tallow and lard. Agronomist believes Phytophthora attacked their plants - putting an end to their season before it started.&nbsp; Clark says they had a little last year, but removed diseased plants but because soil doesn't drain well and the spring was cool and wet it accelerated it to&nbsp;a&nbsp; total loss. One of their brand pillars is authenticity, so Danielle felt it was important to give the community an open and honest announcement that they would not have&nbsp;pick your own strawberries this year. She felt it was important to give enough time to digest the information and determine where they will go instead. The farm was met with an overwhelming amount of support from the community.&nbsp;The farm will convert the affected soil to an apple orchard expansion.
Rain is just starting to move into Wisconsin this morning.&nbsp; Stu Muck says it'll hang around through the day Friday, but allow for a beautiful weekend of drier weather.
What do Wisconsin livestock owners need to think about regarding New World Screw Worm?&nbsp; Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Livestock Sales Association in Baraboo feels confident that Texas has the insect under control.&nbsp; Larson says market disruption so far has been minimal.&nbsp; He also says the chances of the insect making it to Wisconsin are thin.&nbsp; Still, for Wisconsin livestock operators that house/grow/breed their animals in other states, thinking through possible quarantine restrictions is not a bad plan.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Larson.
The state's largest outdoor agriculture event depends on volunteers, weather and commercial exhibitors.&nbsp; How's the 2026 show coming together?&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff gets a preview from Janet Keller, general manager, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is currently managing a "critical mass" of calls from potential exhibitors and sponsors to build the schedule and finalize the official program. The organization recently expanded its small staff by hiring Kate Borren as program coordinator and Abby George to handle financial bookkeeping. Unlike most other agricultural shows, this event moves to a different site within the state. Reorganized in 2023 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the show&rsquo;s mission focuses on education and&nbsp; resources for agriculture, health, safety, and food sourcing for both&nbsp; farmers and consumers. The event requires a minimum of 200 acres to host&mdash;ideally on a modern dairy farm&mdash;and must be booked several years in advance so host farms can properly adjust their crop rotation schedules. The event logo changes every year to reflect the host county's unique identity. For 2026, the logo features the outline of Marathon County, the town of Stratford, and dairy cows representing the host farm, No Joke Dairy.

Bales & Better Bottom Lines -- A Preview Of The Field Demos

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