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

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days may be held on a dairy, but that doesn't stop them from remembering their other bovine friends. Dennis Breneman joins us. He's the chairman of the Beef Tent and a member of the State Executive Committee. His passion for beef starts with his own operation.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days may be held on a dairy, but that doesn't stop them from remembering their other bovine friends. Dennis Breneman joins us. He's the chairman of the Beef Tent and a member of the State Executive Committee. His passion for beef starts with his own operation.

Farm Technology Days Showcases Beef Cattle

There will be an emphasis on safety in demonstrations at WI Farm Technology Days this year.  Jill Welke visits with retired fire chief, Jerry Minor, about the message he wants to convey to attendees.  Minor says today's responders lack the farming/agriculture knowledge that responders had 40 years ago when he began as a firefighter.  Minor says helping farms communicate directly with their local fire and rescue team members is incredibly important.  He shares some insights into some of the tools today's responders have access to that can improve their safety when responding to farm/ag related calls.  Minor says a farm's cooperation by providing information before an event is key.

More wet weather will crowd our 4th of July outdoor plans according to Stu Muck.  The rain that moved through overnight also brought some minor hail.  Muck says that probably won't repeat this weekend.

They may not be on the guest list, but you know they'll show up.  Mosquitos.  Kiley Allan finds out how Wisconsin's dry May impacted early mosquito development from PJ Leisch, UW-Extension Entomologist.  Leisch says Wisconsin is home to about 55 different varieties of mosquitoes, so one is always finding weather it can handle.  He says the biggest risk humans have for disease transfer from mosquitoes is West Nile Virus.

Dairy country is dealing with the heat in different ways.  Matt Tranel, senior dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, tells Pam Jahnke that California is still relatively mild.  That's keeping its milk production moving along.  Meanwhile, in the EU, people and dairies are struggling against a wave of heat.  Tranel points out that many EU farms aren't equipped to handle bouts of heat.  He also brings an update on a dryer plant fire at a processor in Arizona.  Industry leaders are watching how and where that milk is temporarily relocated.

There will be an emphasis on safety in demonstrations at WI Farm Technology Days this year.&nbsp; Jill Welke visits with retired fire chief, Jerry Minor, about the message he wants to convey to attendees.&nbsp; Minor says today's responders lack the farming/agriculture knowledge that responders had 40 years ago when he began as a firefighter.&nbsp; Minor says helping farms communicate directly with their local fire and rescue team members is incredibly important.&nbsp; He shares some insights into some of the tools today's responders have access to that can improve their safety when responding to farm/ag related calls.&nbsp; Minor says a farm's cooperation by providing information before an event is key.
More wet weather will crowd our 4th of July outdoor plans according to Stu Muck.&nbsp; The rain that moved through overnight also brought some minor hail.&nbsp; Muck says that probably won't repeat this weekend.
They may not be on the guest list, but you know they'll show up.&nbsp; Mosquitos.&nbsp; Kiley Allan finds out how Wisconsin's dry May impacted early mosquito development from PJ Leisch, UW-Extension Entomologist.&nbsp; Leisch says Wisconsin is home to about 55 different varieties of mosquitoes, so one is always finding weather it can handle.&nbsp; He says the biggest risk humans have for disease transfer from mosquitoes is West Nile Virus.
Dairy country is dealing with the heat in different ways.&nbsp; Matt Tranel, senior dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, tells Pam Jahnke that California is still relatively mild.&nbsp; That's keeping its milk production moving along.&nbsp; Meanwhile, in the EU, people and dairies are struggling against a wave of heat.&nbsp; Tranel points out that many EU farms aren't equipped to handle bouts of heat.&nbsp; He also brings an update on a dryer plant fire at a processor in Arizona.&nbsp; Industry leaders are watching how and where that milk is temporarily relocated.

Farms Need To Share With Local Fire Departments Plus Dairy Plant Fire In AZ

Multiple generations are getting ready to welcome visitors for the 2026 WI Farm Technology Days event.  Redetzke's No Joke Dairy outside of Stratford has a story to share about family working together and making a farm work.  Bob Bosold visits with family members Sam Redetzke and brother Matt on how they juggle schedules with off farm duties to keep the wheels rolling.  The state's largest outdoor agriculture event is coming up July 14-16.

Heat returns to Wisconsin.  Stu Muck says we won't likely reach the 90's but it will be warmer.  Things should stay dry until at least Thursday according to the forecast.

Today's investment in agriculture aren't just about technology and engineering.  Farms and farmers depend on people for good advice and service on the technology that they're investing in.  Our example today is Lake Effect Farm in the Plymouth area.  Brad Laack, the owner/operator of the farm, has placed a lot of trust in Tim Schultz, owner and operator of Schultz's Interstate Ag in Monroe.  Schultz's provides state-of-the-art grain handling technology across the Midwest, including Lake Effect Farm. Schultz visits with Pam Jahnke about the clear communication that's necessary on projects like this to make sure that a farmers dreamed are realized and maintained.  Paid for by Schultz's Interstate Ag.

Soybeans are rallying on a Monday morning!  An unconfirmed sale of over 500,000 metric ton of soybeans going to an undisclosed destination is inspiring traders.  Pam Jahnke also updates the conversations between the U.S. and Canada on renewing USMCA.

Agriculture technology isn't just limited to agriculture.  Kiley Allan finds out about the multi-use options for drones. Davis Napier, Owner and Operator at Seek, says he uses drones equipped with high-resolution thermal cameras and spotlights to locate downed deer for hunters who have lost the trail, want to avoid trespassing on neighboring land, or wish to minimize property disturbance. To stay within Wisconsin DNR regulations and avoid hunting with a drone, he requires clients to sign waivers and will only disclose a deer's location if the thermal imaging confirms the animal has already expired. Beyond recovery, the drone captures and stitches together thousands of images to create property maps that are significantly more detailed than satellite imagery, allowing landowners to see specific deer trails and terrain features. During the off-season, the technology is used for herd analysis to help landowners understand deer bedding patterns and population health (buck-to-doe ratios) without disrupting the animals during hunting season. Napier founded his business, Seeker, based on his lifelong passion for hunting and his childhood experience of the heartbreak associated with failing to recover a deer.

Multiple generations are getting ready to welcome visitors for the 2026 WI Farm Technology Days event.&nbsp; Redetzke's No Joke Dairy outside of Stratford has a story to share about family working together and making a farm work.&nbsp; Bob Bosold visits with family members Sam Redetzke and brother Matt on how they juggle schedules with off farm duties to keep the wheels rolling.&nbsp; The state's largest outdoor agriculture event is coming up July 14-16.
Heat returns to Wisconsin.&nbsp; Stu Muck says we won't likely reach the 90's but it will be warmer.&nbsp; Things should stay dry until at least Thursday according to the forecast.
Today's investment in agriculture aren't just about technology and engineering.&nbsp; Farms and farmers depend on people for good advice and service on the technology that they're investing in.&nbsp; Our example today is Lake Effect Farm in the Plymouth area.&nbsp; Brad Laack, the owner/operator of the farm, has placed a lot of trust in Tim Schultz, owner and operator of Schultz's Interstate Ag in Monroe.&nbsp; Schultz's provides state-of-the-art grain handling technology across the Midwest, including Lake Effect Farm. Schultz visits with Pam Jahnke about the clear communication that's necessary on projects like this to make sure that a farmers dreamed are realized and maintained.&nbsp; Paid for by Schultz's Interstate Ag.
Soybeans are rallying on a Monday morning!&nbsp; An unconfirmed sale of over 500,000 metric ton of soybeans going to an undisclosed destination is inspiring traders.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke also updates the conversations between the U.S. and Canada on renewing USMCA.
Agriculture technology isn't just limited to agriculture.&nbsp; Kiley Allan finds out about the multi-use options for drones. Davis Napier, Owner and Operator at Seek, says he uses drones equipped with high-resolution thermal cameras and spotlights to locate downed deer for hunters who have lost the trail, want to avoid trespassing on neighboring land, or wish to minimize property disturbance. To stay within Wisconsin DNR regulations and avoid hunting with a drone, he requires clients to sign waivers and will only disclose a deer's location if the thermal imaging confirms the animal has already expired. Beyond recovery, the drone captures and stitches together thousands of images to create property maps that are significantly more detailed than satellite imagery, allowing landowners to see specific deer trails and terrain features. During the off-season, the technology is used for herd analysis to help landowners understand deer bedding patterns and population health (buck-to-doe ratios) without disrupting the animals during hunting season. Napier founded his business, Seeker, based on his lifelong passion for hunting and his childhood experience of the heartbreak associated with failing to recover a deer.

Benefits of Pair or Group Calf Housing

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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