The norm has always been to house calves individually; and that is the common practice for good reason. But, according to research by Dr. Jennifer Van Os of UW-Madison, there are a plethora of benefits in housing calves in pairs or in groups.

Josh Scramlin chats with Dr. Van Os about how she came to this realization and what exactly the benefits are.

The norm has always been to house calves individually; and that is the common practice for good reason. But, according to research by Dr. Jennifer Van Os of UW-Madison, there are a plethora of benefits in housing calves in pairs or in groups.
Josh Scramlin chats with Dr. Van Os about how she came to this realization and what exactly the benefits are.

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!

Benefits of Pair or Group Calf Housing

School bells are about to ring and just like students, teachers are getting ready.  Now, there's a way for parents and supporters of those agriculture teachers to get them started on the right foot!  

Teri Barr visit with Pamela Stuttgen.  She wants to be sure her daughter walks into the classroom this fall, and finds a back-to-school gift box waiting for her there. The Colby, Wisconsin woman believes it’s a simple way to show — someone has noticed the work agriculture teachers across the state, do every day. 

For the past three years, Stuttgen has sent this surprise to her daughter, Jessica. She’s an ag teacher in the Athens School District. But this year, Stuttgen decided to send a second box, celebrating another agriculture educator in the state.

“Ag teachers play a very important role in our school system,” she said. “However, they are so underappreciated.”

And this gift has become more than a box filled with supplies and surprises. It’s now a wonderful way to recognize teachers who spend countless hours helping students discover opportunities within the agriculture industry. 

The last weekend of the Wisconsin State Fair will work with moderate temperatures and some rain.  Stu Muck says that pattern won't change until at least next week.

Harvest may not have started, but farmers are getting a pretty good idea of what their crop will yield.  Pam Jahnke visits with Dr. Shawn Conely, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist about the 2026 WI Soybean Yield Contest.  Conley says the opportunity not only puts prize money in producers pockets, it also generates real-world information that can help Conley and his research team.  Paid for by WI Soybean Marketing Board.

The Wisconsin Products building at State Fair Park features everything you'd like to enjoy from the state's farmers.  Kiley Allan takes a little time to find out how the cranberry growers are doing.   Holly Herline, Communications Director with Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association says the season looks good.

Friendships forged at fairs, through 4-H.  There's stories all around with that nucleus as its start.  Pam Jahnke visits with a group of 6 Sheboygan County 4-H youth that bonded over their mutual love of poultry.  Katherine Arbuckle and Lyla How are two of the members.  While this group was exhibiting for different 4-H clubs, their mutual interest in poultry ultimately brought them together.  Once they showed side-by-side, they found out they also all played music!  That led to the beginning of "What's Up:  Chicken Butt Band".  The troup of poultry appreciators perform at different events all around Sheboygan County and also performed at the WI State Fair.  The passion these kids have for poultry has also ignited a new event at the Sheboygan County Fair through a new costume contest!  Lyla How tells Pam Jahnke that the best birds for the dress-up event are the "fluffy ones" - because they don't move around so much.  And now you know.  What's Up:  Chicken Butt Band does have its own social media page if you'd like to follow these 4-Her's friendships.

School bells are about to ring and just like students, teachers are getting ready.&nbsp; Now, there's a way for parents and supporters of those agriculture teachers to get them started on the right foot!&nbsp;&nbsp;
Teri Barr visit with Pamela Stuttgen.&nbsp; She wants to be sure her daughter walks into the classroom this fall, and finds a back-to-school gift box waiting for her there. The Colby, Wisconsin woman believes it&rsquo;s a simple way to show &mdash; someone has noticed the work <a href="https://wisconsinaged.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wisconsinaged.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787047565843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0X28dX_pzf606bAvokk3jK">agriculture teachers across the state</a>, do every day.&nbsp;
For the past three years, Stuttgen has sent this surprise to her daughter, Jessica. She&rsquo;s an ag teacher in the <a href="https://www.athens.k12.wi.us/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.athens.k12.wi.us/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787047565843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HMYbuUWKnbmoAtBoRyVpg">Athens School District</a>. But this year, Stuttgen decided to send a second box, celebrating another agriculture educator in the state.
&ldquo;Ag teachers play a very important role in our school system,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;However, they are so underappreciated.&rdquo;
And this gift has become more than a box filled with supplies and surprises. It&rsquo;s now a wonderful way to recognize teachers who spend countless hours helping students discover opportunities within the agriculture industry.&nbsp;
The last weekend of the Wisconsin State Fair will work with moderate temperatures and some rain.&nbsp; Stu Muck says that pattern won't change until at least next week.
Harvest may not have started, but farmers are getting a pretty good idea of what their crop will yield.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Dr. Shawn Conely, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist about the 2026 WI Soybean Yield Contest.&nbsp; Conley says the opportunity not only puts prize money in producers pockets, it also generates real-world information that can help Conley and his research team.&nbsp; Paid for by WI Soybean Marketing Board.
The Wisconsin Products building at State Fair Park features everything you'd like to enjoy from the state's farmers.&nbsp; Kiley Allan takes a little time to find out how the cranberry growers are doing.&nbsp;&nbsp; Holly Herline, Communications Director with Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association says the season looks good.
Friendships forged at fairs, through 4-H.&nbsp; There's stories all around with that nucleus as its start.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with a group of 6 Sheboygan County 4-H youth that bonded over their mutual love of poultry.&nbsp; Katherine Arbuckle and Lyla How are two of the members.&nbsp; While this group was exhibiting for different 4-H clubs, their mutual interest in poultry ultimately brought them together.&nbsp; Once they showed side-by-side, they found out they also all played music!&nbsp; That led to the beginning of "What's Up:&nbsp; Chicken Butt Band".&nbsp; The troup of poultry appreciators perform at different events all around Sheboygan County and also performed at the WI State Fair.&nbsp; The passion these kids have for poultry has also ignited a new event at the Sheboygan County Fair through a new costume contest!&nbsp; Lyla How tells Pam Jahnke that the best birds for the dress-up event are the "fluffy ones" - because they don't move around so much.&nbsp; And now you know.&nbsp; What's Up:&nbsp; Chicken Butt Band does have its own social media page if you'd like to follow these 4-Her's friendships.

Thanking That Ag Teacher Before School Begins And Meet Chicken Butt Band

Wisconsin's voice is being heard on the national scene regarding use of beef checkoff dollars.

Curt Larson, President & CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock also is serving as president of the WI Beef Council.  Larson explains to Pam Jahnke that discussion is currently ongoing about channels where beef producers checkoff dollars will be spent.

Larson acknowledges that the entire industry is trying to do more with less.  Fewer cattle mean fewer investment dollars available overall.  That makes producer voices all the more important in the decision making process.

Wisconsin's voice is being heard on the national scene regarding use of beef checkoff dollars.
Curt Larson, President &amp; CEO of <a href="https://www.equitycoop.com/">Equity Cooperative Livestock </a>also is serving as president of the <a href="https://www.beeftips.com/">WI Beef Council</a>.&nbsp; Larson explains to Pam Jahnke that discussion is currently ongoing about channels where beef producers checkoff dollars will be spent.
Larson acknowledges that the entire industry is trying to do more with less.&nbsp; Fewer cattle mean fewer investment dollars available overall.&nbsp; That makes producer voices all the more important in the decision making process.

Plans For Beef Checkoff Dollars - Curt Larson

The National Dairy Shrine is preserving agriculture stories from the past -- for the future. Teri Barr talks with Mike Opperman, executive director of the Dairy Shrine and Museum, to learn why everything from antique butter-making machines to a Dairy Hall of Fame, are so important.   

The National Dairy Shrine is preserving agriculture stories from the past -- for the future. Teri Barr talks with Mike Opperman, executive director of the Dairy Shrine and Museum, to learn why everything from antique butter-making machines to a Dairy Hall of Fame, are so important.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Benefits of Pair or Group Calf Housing

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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