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

If you're taking the time, and spending the money to dine out, you want to know what you're getting.  Susan Quam, executive vice president of the WI Restaurant Association says information is power - even for restaurant menus.  Quam tells Pam Jahnke that today diners are looking for "clean labels" on menus.  The "buy local" mantra continues, and restaurants are complying.  Quam says heat and spice continue to be popular flavor profiles that attract shoppers, but there's other taste bud tempting options becoming popular in the state too.  Comfort foods and value menus are a magnet, and Quam says "smash burger" are showing up with many different options.

Rain is back on the way to Wisconsin with some strong winds to boot.  Stu Muck says today you might actually feel a chill with winds that could gust up to 35 mph.  This cycle of weather continues for about the next 48 hours.

I bet you never thought of an auctioneer as a partner in your estate plan.  It happens.  Ashly Huhn explains to Pam Jahnke how the Steffes Group many times gets involved in Section 1031 exchanges.  This helps land owners primarily avoid heavy taxes by finding other properties to invest in.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Monday was the "Day of Service" for approximately 700 Wisconsin FFA members in Madison before the 97th State FFA Convention.  Amanda Draxler, WI State FFA President, says that the hands on labor of those members, coupled with seeing the finished product gives them a real sense of accomplishment and giving back to their host community.  Draxler says there were about 11 different targeted activities within Dane County that mobilized the members.  From pulling weeds to building beds, it was an important staple for the convention attendees.  

If you're taking the time, and spending the money to dine out, you want to know what you're getting.&nbsp; Susan Quam, executive vice president of the WI Restaurant Association says information is power - even for restaurant menus.&nbsp; Quam tells Pam Jahnke that today diners are looking for "clean labels" on menus.&nbsp; The "buy local" mantra continues, and restaurants are complying.&nbsp; Quam says heat and spice continue to be popular flavor profiles that attract shoppers, but there's other taste bud tempting options becoming popular in the state too.&nbsp; Comfort foods and value menus are a magnet, and Quam says "smash burger" are showing up with many different options.
Rain is back on the way to Wisconsin with some strong winds to boot.&nbsp; Stu Muck says today you might actually feel a chill with winds that could gust up to 35 mph.&nbsp; This cycle of weather continues for about the next 48 hours.
I bet you never thought of an auctioneer as a partner in your estate plan.&nbsp; It happens.&nbsp; Ashly Huhn explains to Pam Jahnke how the Steffes Group many times gets involved in Section 1031 exchanges.&nbsp; This helps land owners primarily avoid heavy taxes by finding other properties to invest in.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group.
Monday was the "Day of Service" for approximately 700 Wisconsin FFA members in Madison before the 97th State FFA Convention.&nbsp; Amanda Draxler, WI State FFA President, says that the hands on labor of those members, coupled with seeing the finished product gives them a real sense of accomplishment and giving back to their host community.&nbsp; Draxler says there were about 11 different targeted activities within Dane County that mobilized the members.&nbsp; From pulling weeds to building beds, it was an important staple for the convention attendees.&nbsp;&nbsp;

FFA Day Of Service A Key Success And Auctions As An Estate Planning Tool

New World Screw Worm.  It's all over agriculture headlines.  Could that worm ever make its way into Wisconsin and our livestock/pet population?  That's the question poised to P.J. Leisch, UW-Madison Extension Entomologist.  Leisch has been watching this worm for a while.  He tells Pam Jahnke that this insect has been around since at least the 60's in numbers that threatened livestock.  He says experience has taught researchers that trying to spray the insect away just isn't effective.  Bio controls like sterile male flies are the most successful way to manage this worm.  Leisch says Wisconsin's climate would be the ultimate demise of the worm if it did arrive.  It cannot survive below 40 degrees.

Very mild temperatures start the week according to Stu Muck.  Winds will pick up and there is a chance of rain moving back in by Tuesday evening.

We may be a little biased here in Wisconsin, but the best time of year is here. June Dairy Month is upon us. It's an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and honor the farmers, craftsmanship, and exceptional dairy products that make Wisconsin dairy truly special. Today, Kiley Allan catches up with 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Dairy isn't just something we produce here in Wisconsin. In fact, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin say it best: it's something we're born to do. We're Born to Dairy™. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Celebrating 250 years!  It's a major milestone that the United States is noting in many different ways.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's communication division is focused on highlighting their own milestones.  The Agriculture Department's Radio Service has served the public for one hundred years as of 2026 - almost as old as the medium itself. And over its century, USDA Radio has provided information about farming, ranching, and the Department in a variety of ways and formats. Rod Bain presents the second of a series of programs on USDA Radio over the years in this edition of "Agriculture USA". 

New World Screw Worm.&nbsp; It's all over agriculture headlines.&nbsp; Could that worm ever make its way into Wisconsin and our livestock/pet population?&nbsp; That's the question poised to P.J. Leisch, UW-Madison Extension Entomologist.&nbsp; Leisch has been watching this worm for a while.&nbsp; He tells Pam Jahnke that this insect has been around since at least the 60's in numbers that threatened livestock.&nbsp; He says experience has taught researchers that trying to spray the insect away just isn't effective.&nbsp; Bio controls like sterile male flies are the most successful way to manage this worm.&nbsp; Leisch says Wisconsin's climate would be the ultimate demise of the worm if it did arrive.&nbsp; It cannot survive below 40 degrees.
Very mild temperatures start the week according to Stu Muck.&nbsp; Winds will pick up and there is a chance of rain moving back in by Tuesday evening.
We may be a little biased here in Wisconsin, but the best time of year is here. June Dairy Month is upon us. It's an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and honor the farmers, craftsmanship, and exceptional dairy products that make Wisconsin dairy truly special. Today, Kiley Allan catches up with 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Dairy isn't just something we produce here in Wisconsin. In fact, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin say it best: it's something we're born to do. We're Born to Dairy&trade;. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://wisconsindairy.org" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wisconsindairy.org&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781678614372000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0aK5MiZyYt0ZEWlY7wTFRj">wisconsindairy.org</a>.&nbsp; Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Celebrating 250 years!&nbsp; It's a major milestone that the United States is noting in many different ways.&nbsp; The U.S. Department of Agriculture's communication division is focused on highlighting their own milestones.&nbsp; The Agriculture Department's Radio Service has served the public for one hundred years as of 2026 - almost as old as the medium itself. And over its century, USDA Radio has provided information about farming, ranching, and the Department in a variety of ways and formats. Rod Bain presents the second of a series of programs on USDA Radio over the years in this edition of "Agriculture USA".

The Wisconsin Take On New World Screw Worm Plus "Alice" On America's Dairyland

Wisconsin's grape growers have been keeping a close eye on the changing weather.  Kiley Allan gets an early season forecast from Phillipe Coucard, owner/operator of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac.  With 70 acres of vines to manage, his staff mobilizes early to evaluate conditions.  He says so far things have been going well.  Insect pressure has been low and so has early disease concerns.  He already anticipates a smaller crop this year just because of the colder April temperatures the vines were exposed to. He emphasizes that sunlight is the critical factor for grape quality, as it directly drives sugar content, color, and flavor concentration. The optimal growing season for the vineyard consists of early spring rain followed by dry June and July, a single week of rain in August, and a completely dry stretch leading up to harvest.

It looks like a nice weekend for developing in Wisconsin.  Stu Muck says there will likely be some showers popping up again Saturday afternoon - but then the faucet shuts off and temperatures moderate into next week.

Northwest Wisconsin soybean grower, Andy Bensend, is focused on the weather right now.  He sits on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and knows that critical research, funded by soybean growers like him, is happening.  Bensend explains how the board members prioritize the "buckets" to which checkoff dollars are designated.  In-field research is critical.  Bensend says Wisconsin's reputation for it's top-notch research team is well known in the upper Midwest and nationally.  There's also the investment in new products and helping people understand what these products can do.  This is all part of what the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board works on every day.  Paid for by the WI Soybean Marketing Board.

Grapes aren't the only unique Wisconsin crop watching the weather.  Nathan Bula at Spears R Us in Adams has an asparagus crop depending on it.  Bula says asparagus appeared earlier than he's ever seen - but then got delayed by April frost/freezes.  He waited 11 days without a harvest for the spears to develop.

Another big June Dairy celebration weekend is ahead.  Dane county will welcome thousands of people to Swaindale Genetics in Deerfield on Saturday.  With just 25 milking cows, this farm looks different than previous hosts.  Gary Swain and his wife, Dana Kelly, explain why they're hosting and the story they want to share about family and community commitment.  

Wisconsin's grape growers have been keeping a close eye on the changing weather.&nbsp; Kiley Allan gets an early season forecast from Phillipe Coucard, owner/operator of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac.&nbsp; With 70 acres of vines to manage, his staff mobilizes early to evaluate conditions.&nbsp; He says so far things have been going well.&nbsp; Insect pressure has been low and so has early disease concerns.&nbsp; He already anticipates a smaller crop this year just because of the colder April temperatures the vines were exposed to. He emphasizes that sunlight is the critical factor for grape quality, as it directly drives sugar content, color, and flavor concentration.&nbsp;The optimal growing season for the vineyard consists of early spring rain followed by dry June and July, a single week of rain in August, and a completely dry stretch leading up to harvest.
It looks like a nice weekend for developing in Wisconsin.&nbsp; Stu Muck says there will likely be some showers popping up again Saturday afternoon - but then the faucet shuts off and temperatures moderate into next week.
Northwest Wisconsin soybean grower, Andy Bensend, is focused on the weather right now.&nbsp; He sits on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and knows that critical research, funded by soybean growers like him, is happening.&nbsp; Bensend explains how the board members prioritize the "buckets" to which checkoff dollars are designated.&nbsp; In-field research is critical.&nbsp; Bensend says Wisconsin's reputation for it's top-notch research team is well known in the upper Midwest and nationally.&nbsp; There's also the investment in new products and helping people understand what these products can do.&nbsp; This is all part of what the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board works on every day.&nbsp; Paid for by the WI Soybean Marketing Board.
Grapes aren't the only unique Wisconsin crop watching the weather.&nbsp; Nathan Bula at Spears R Us in Adams has an asparagus crop depending on it.&nbsp; Bula says asparagus appeared earlier than he's ever seen - but then got delayed by April frost/freezes.&nbsp; He waited 11 days without a harvest for the spears to develop.
Another big June Dairy celebration weekend is ahead.&nbsp; Dane county will welcome thousands of people to Swaindale Genetics in Deerfield on Saturday.&nbsp; With just 25 milking cows, this farm looks different than previous hosts.&nbsp; Gary Swain and his wife, Dana Kelly, explain why they're hosting and the story they want to share about family and community commitment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Benefits of Pair or Group Calf Housing

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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