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

Controlling corn rootworm is not only a technical challenge, it's a financial risk for any agribusiness.  Farmers spend over $1 billion a year battling the insect that has the ability to change with its surroundings.  Research shows that populations can develop resistance to repeated use of the same traits.  That's why Syngenta started developing new technology years ago to try and overcome that resistance.

It's not something that happens easily.  Bruce Battles is the Head of Technical Data at the Syngenta Research Center in Malta, IL.  Battles and his team of research agronomists pour over years of collected data points to find the path forward in science.  Understanding the fundamentals of the insect is critical, but having the depth of science to develop the chemistry is complex.

The Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along is about exploring what new technologies Wisconsin farmers are investigating.  From product to software, AI to engineering - whatever it is, the Mid-West Farm Report wants to investigate.  Do you have a product that's taking Wisconsin farmer in new directions?  Contact Liz Matzke to inquire about a Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along in 2026!

Controlling corn rootworm is not only a technical challenge, it's a financial risk for any agribusiness.&nbsp; Farmers spend over $1 billion a year battling the insect that has the ability to change with its surroundings.&nbsp; Research shows that populations can develop resistance to repeated use of the same traits.&nbsp; That's why Syngenta started developing new technology years ago to try and overcome that resistance.
It's not something that happens easily.&nbsp; Bruce Battles is the Head of Technical Data at the Syngenta Research Center in Malta, IL.&nbsp; Battles and his team of research agronomists pour over years of collected data points to find the path forward in science.&nbsp; Understanding the fundamentals of the insect is critical, but having the depth of science to develop the chemistry is complex.
The Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along is about exploring what new technologies Wisconsin farmers are investigating.&nbsp; From product to software, AI to engineering - whatever it is, the Mid-West Farm Report wants to investigate.&nbsp; Do you have a product that's taking Wisconsin farmer in new directions?&nbsp; Contact <a href="https://www.midwestfamilymadison.com/liz-matzke/">Liz Matzke</a> to inquire about a Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along in 2026!

Mid-West Ride Along - Syngenta's Bruce Battles - Data Behind Durastak

Autonomous machinery has been in the works for years and is currently being used on dairies and mowers. Brian Luck, an associate professor of Biological Systems Engineering for UW- Madison, says that he expects to see autonomous tractors in the fields in the next 3-5 years. He gives a look into what is currently happening in that space and why the idea of more farmers using them is becoming more real.

Autonomous machinery has been in the works for years and is currently being used on dairies and mowers. Brian Luck, an associate professor of Biological Systems Engineering for UW- Madison, says that he expects to see autonomous tractors in the fields in the next 3-5 years. He gives a look into what is currently happening in that space and why the idea of more farmers using them is becoming more real.

Autonomous Tractors Are Coming Soon

The H2A program has been around for many years helping to make sure farmers have a way to get seasonal labor, but it is a lengthy process to get started. Emily Klingbeil, the Manager of Marketing and Client Relations for Great Lakes Ag Labor, gives a look into how they help farmers navigate the process and updates that have recently taken place to the program. One of the updates is the change in how the workers are paid.

The H2A program has been around for many years helping to make sure farmers have a way to get seasonal labor, but it is a lengthy process to get started. Emily Klingbeil, the Manager of Marketing and Client Relations for Great Lakes Ag Labor, gives a look into how they help farmers navigate the process and updates that have recently taken place to the program. One of the updates is the change in how the workers are paid.

Benefits of Pair or Group Calf Housing

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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