Emerald Acres just outside of Janesville can trace its roots back to 1914 when Brad Mair's grandparents starting farming in shares with the original land owners.  Brad says his grandparents met, after immigrating to the United States, in Chicago and headed north.

Initially the farm consisted of 160 acres, but grew to 240 in the mid-50's.

Just like many farms of the time, the Mair's had a diversified operation with poultry, dairy and hogs, as well as field crops.

Today, Brad Mair is focused on providing top quality pork and beef to about 140 customers, and beginning to consider farm-to-table experiences.  His sons are active in helping move the business model along.

Find more on Facebook:  Emerald Acres Grain & Livestock

Emerald Acres just outside of Janesville can trace its roots back to 1914 when Brad Mair's grandparents starting farming in shares with the original land owners.&nbsp; Brad says his grandparents met, after immigrating to the United States, in Chicago and headed north.
Initially the farm consisted of 160 acres, but grew to 240 in the mid-50's.
Just like many farms of the time, the Mair's had a diversified operation with poultry, dairy and hogs, as well as field crops.
Today, Brad Mair is focused on providing top quality pork and beef to about 140 customers, and beginning to consider farm-to-table experiences.&nbsp; His sons are active in helping move the business model along.
Find more on Facebook:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmeraldAcresLivestock/photos/?ref=page_internal">Emerald Acres Grain &amp; Livestock</a>

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

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners. 

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners.

Wisconsin Century & Sesquicentennial Farm Salute

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Brad Maier - Rock Co

Jim Versweyvld, UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist says farms need to slow down and think about how they introduce new employees to their farming duties.  Clear communications about duties and policies like cell phone use are key.
It's all about the numbers. 

The latest Census of Agriculture painted a pretty bleak picture if you looked at the cumulative trend for Wisconsin farms.  Stephanie Hoff tries to get a grasp on the trends with the help of Jeff Hadacheck, ag economist, who explains the influences behind the trends.

Curt Larson, President and CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association says they're months away from reopening an idle livestock facility in Maquoketa, Iowa.  Larson says the building was erected back in the 60's and was state-of-the-art at the time.  Now, they're repairing fences and replacing scales.  He said their hope is to have it fully operational by late summer, early fall.  He explains the situation to Pam Jahnke.

MMore jobs than graduates!  That's the story for the graduating class at UW-Platteville's ag school this spring.  Charitee Seebecker discusses numbers and high demand areas with Dr. Tera Montgomery.

Jim Versweyvld, UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist says farms need to slow down and think about how they introduce new employees to their farming duties.  Clear communications about duties and policies like cell phone use are key. It's all about the numbers. 
The latest Census of Agriculture painted a pretty bleak picture if you looked at the cumulative trend for Wisconsin farms.  Stephanie Hoff tries to get a grasp on the trends with the help of Jeff Hadacheck, ag economist, who explains the influences behind the trends. Curt Larson, President and CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association says they're months away from reopening an idle livestock facility in Maquoketa, Iowa.  Larson says the building was erected back in the 60's and was state-of-the-art at the time.  Now, they're repairing fences and replacing scales.  He said their hope is to have it fully operational by late summer, early fall.  He explains the situation to Pam Jahnke.
MMore jobs than graduates!  That's the story for the graduating class at UW-Platteville's ag school this spring.  Charitee Seebecker discusses numbers and high demand areas with Dr. Tera Montgomery.

Take Of New Employees - And More Jobs Than Grads

Whether you're getting married at the farm or your farm is the venue -- put insurance on the to-do list! Carmen Brueggen Katsma is a Rural Mutual Insurance agent out of Poynette. She says she’s seen the wedding barn industry boom in her neck of the woods and she serves a number of them on their insurance needs. She walks us through the basics: the type of insurance you'll need, how to customize the insurance, and common claims.

Whether you're getting married at the farm or your farm is the venue -- put insurance on the to-do list! Carmen Brueggen Katsma is a Rural Mutual Insurance agent out of Poynette. She says she’s seen the wedding barn industry boom in her neck of the woods and she serves a number of them on their insurance needs. She walks us through the basics: the type of insurance you'll need, how to customize the insurance, and common claims.

Insuring A Farm Wedding

Vegetable processors across the country are feeling price pressure due to tariffs on steel, according to the Midwest Food Products Association. It's amped up the competition with foreign processors. Wisconsin is one of the top states in the production of the major processing vegetables, notably green peas, snap beans, and potatoes. This year, at least two Wisconsin food processors are closing their doors. MWFPA President Jason Culotta represents food processors in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. He says in 2023, the U.S. became a net food importer for the first time. He says this is a problem because food processors cannot compete with the prices of foreign competitors.

Vegetable processors across the country are feeling price pressure due to tariffs on steel, according to the Midwest Food Products Association. It's amped up the competition with foreign processors. Wisconsin is one of the top states in the production of the major processing vegetables, notably green peas, snap beans, and potatoes. This year, at least two Wisconsin food processors are closing their doors. MWFPA President Jason Culotta represents food processors in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. He says in 2023, the U.S. became a net food importer for the first time. He says this is a problem because food processors cannot compete with the prices of foreign competitors.

Brad Maier - Rock Co

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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