Each year in Wisconsin, June kicks off the start of berry picking season. Many berry growers across the state are gearing up for what hopes to be a very busy season. Gracie's Berries in Cambridge is owned and operated by Craig Carpenter and his family. He was able to visit with me about what the plants are looking like and where yield may be this year. Carpenter mentions that berry picking season may be a short one this year.

Each year in Wisconsin, June kicks off the start of berry picking season. Many berry growers across the state are gearing up for what hopes to be a very busy season. Gracie's Berries in Cambridge is owned and operated by Craig Carpenter and his family. He was able to visit with me about what the plants are looking like and where yield may be this year. Carpenter mentions that berry picking season may be a short one this year.

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!

Berry Season May Be Short

As spring unfolds across Wisconsin, mushroom enthusiasts and farmers alike are buzzing with excitement over what promises to be an exceptional season for morel mushrooms. The combination of timely rainfall and late spring snowfalls has set the stage for a bountiful harvest. That’s according to morel mushroom buyer Tom Nondorf.

"With the rainfall and weather we've been having, it's really helped keep the mushroom crop going,” Nondorf says. "But the late snowfalls in spring are especially beneficial. Over the years, I've noticed that the more snow we get in late spring, the better off the mushroom crop is for the year."

Nondorf has been closely monitoring this season's progress and is optimistic about the outlook. "I've been buying mushrooms for over 14 years, and I can confidently say that this year is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.”

As spring unfolds across Wisconsin, mushroom enthusiasts and farmers alike are buzzing with excitement over what promises to be an exceptional season for morel mushrooms. The combination of timely rainfall and late spring snowfalls has set the stage for a bountiful harvest. That’s according to morel mushroom buyer Tom Nondorf.
"With the rainfall and weather we've been having, it's really helped keep the mushroom crop going,” Nondorf says. "But the late snowfalls in spring are especially beneficial. Over the years, I've noticed that the more snow we get in late spring, the better off the mushroom crop is for the year."
Nondorf has been closely monitoring this season's progress and is optimistic about the outlook. "I've been buying mushrooms for over 14 years, and I can confidently say that this year is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.”

Morels in Bloom: Exploring Wisconsin's Mushroom Harvest

India could be the next big market for Wisconsin ginseng.  Kirk Baumann from Baumann Ginseng in Wausau just returned from a USDA trade mission to India.  He says there's some similarities between India and China - Wisconsin's number one market.  India also views ginseng as medicinal, but also incorporates it into teas and beverages.  Baumann says it'll take time, but he thinks there's opportunity there.  He explains the dynamics to Pam Jahnke.

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, explains the ongoing battle in Washington, D.C. over reformulated fuel standards and consumer access.

Pam Jahnke catches up with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group.  The number of auctions this month is slowing down with farmers in the field, but there's still plenty of interest.

Stephanie Hoff focuses on the perception and realities of biotechnology in agriculture.  She's joined by Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs at BIO. This group represents about 1,000 members in both the public and private sectors. Beth Ellikidis leads the agriculture and environment section at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents 1,000 companies, states, and colleges in biotechnology ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. 

India could be the next big market for Wisconsin ginseng.  Kirk Baumann from Baumann Ginseng in Wausau just returned from a USDA trade mission to India.  He says there's some similarities between India and China - Wisconsin's number one market.  India also views ginseng as medicinal, but also incorporates it into teas and beverages.  Baumann says it'll take time, but he thinks there's opportunity there.  He explains the dynamics to Pam Jahnke.
Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, explains the ongoing battle in Washington, D.C. over reformulated fuel standards and consumer access.
Pam Jahnke catches up with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group.  The number of auctions this month is slowing down with farmers in the field, but there's still plenty of interest.
Stephanie Hoff focuses on the perception and realities of biotechnology in agriculture.  She's joined by Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs at BIO. This group represents about 1,000 members in both the public and private sectors. Beth Ellikidis leads the agriculture and environment section at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents 1,000 companies, states, and colleges in biotechnology ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture.

India Could Be Next Big Ginseng Market And Auction Values Hold

The agriculture industry continues to press the current administration on bolstering trade agreements. We hear from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that work is underway to build export relationships. Most recently, the U.S. hosted one of its largest trade missions ever to India. Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely says India is a huge opportunity. Some of the commodities that India has reduced tariffs on since last summer have been chickpeas, apples, frozen turkey, and cranberries, just to name a few.

In other news, Whitely says they’ve been focused on boosting China’s participation in cheese purchases.

There’s positive news for Wisconsin specialty crops, as well, such as potatoes and beans. Whitely says there are huge changes in demographics and purchasing power underway in countries we haven’t been targeting before, such as in Africa.

The agriculture industry continues to press the current administration on bolstering trade agreements. We hear from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that work is underway to build export relationships. Most recently, the U.S. hosted one of its largest trade missions ever to India. Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely says India is a huge opportunity. Some of the commodities that India has reduced tariffs on since last summer have been chickpeas, apples, frozen turkey, and cranberries, just to name a few.
In other news, Whitely says they’ve been focused on boosting China’s participation in cheese purchases.
There’s positive news for Wisconsin specialty crops, as well, such as potatoes and beans. Whitely says there are huge changes in demographics and purchasing power underway in countries we haven’t been targeting before, such as in Africa.

Berry Season May Be Short

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