Building healthier soils requires trial and error, and sometimes uncovers side effects. While no-till and cover cropping offer immense benefits to soil heath and water quality, they also create the perfect habitat for slugs. Dane Elmquist, a conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension, tells Stephanie Hoff why slugs have become a headline item in his research. You can get involved by searching SlugNet online!

Building healthier soils requires trial and error, and sometimes uncovers side effects. While no-till and cover cropping offer immense benefits to soil heath and water quality, they also create the perfect habitat for slugs. Dane Elmquist, a conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension, tells Stephanie Hoff why slugs have become a headline item in his research. You can get involved by searching SlugNet online!

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!

Conservation Cropping Encounters A Slimy Situation - Slugs!

Braunschweiger, landjägers, and Berkshire hams -- it's enough to make your mouth water! These are a sample of the premium meats you can get for the Easter holiday at Bavaria Sausage. Scott Stowell tells Stephanie Hoff why their "old-world" recipes have remained a Wisconsin staple for over 60 years. From creamy, marbled hams to artisan pâté, authentic meats turn a simple Easter dinner into a deep-seated family memory. Whether you’re looking to fill a holiday basket with German candies or find the perfect centerpiece for your table, visit BavariaSausage.com. 

Braunschweiger, landj&auml;gers, and Berkshire hams -- it's enough to make your mouth water! These are a sample of the premium meats you can get for the Easter holiday at Bavaria Sausage. Scott Stowell tells Stephanie Hoff why their "old-world" recipes have remained a Wisconsin staple for over 60 years. From creamy, marbled hams to artisan p&acirc;t&eacute;, authentic meats turn a simple Easter dinner into a deep-seated family memory. Whether you&rsquo;re looking to fill a holiday basket with German candies or find the perfect centerpiece for your table, visit BavariaSausage.com.&nbsp;

For Many, Old World Flavors Spark Fond Family Memories

Milk cooling is one of the biggest energy users on a dairy. Inefficient systems force compressors to run longer and harder, driving up energy costs.  That's a message that resonated with Jordan Matthews from Rosy Lane Holsteins in Watertown.  This dairy operation milks about 1,600 cows across two sites.  The Watertown (Main Farm) site houses all calving operations, high-production cows, and wet calves through six months.  The Paoli (Second Site) is a rented milking facility that manages around 700 pregnant and late-lactation cows.  Two very different setups, but both rely on dependable milk cooling systems.

Listen in as Terry Pernsteiner, Focus on Energy Advisor, explains the routine examination that Rosy Lane Holsteins goes through to keep their equipment working well.  Through the team of professionals that Focus on Energy works with, there's actually very little for the farm to do except collect the rebates and savings.  Pernsteiner explains what happens.

If you're a busy dairy operator or someone involved in production agriculture, isn't there a motor, fan, compressor or some other electric device that might need a tune up.  Request a visit from one of Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Advisors and find out!

Go to Focus on Energy's website and request a visit from an advisor, or call 800.762.7077 for assistance.

Milk cooling is one of the biggest energy users on a dairy. Inefficient systems force compressors to run longer and harder, driving up energy costs.&nbsp; That's a message that resonated with Jordan Matthews from Rosy Lane Holsteins in Watertown.&nbsp; This dairy operation milks about 1,600 cows across two sites.&nbsp; The Watertown (Main Farm) site houses all calving operations, high-production cows, and wet calves through six months.&nbsp; The Paoli (Second Site) is a rented milking facility that manages around 700 pregnant and late-lactation cows.&nbsp; Two very different setups, but both rely on dependable milk cooling systems.
Listen in as Terry Pernsteiner, <a href="https://focusonenergy.com/business/agribusiness">Focus on Energy</a> Advisor, explains the routine examination that Rosy Lane Holsteins goes through to keep their equipment working well.&nbsp; Through the team of professionals that Focus on Energy works with, there's actually very little for the farm to do except collect the rebates and savings.&nbsp; Pernsteiner explains what happens.
If you're a busy dairy operator or someone involved in production agriculture, isn't there a motor, fan, compressor or some other electric device that might need a tune up.&nbsp; Request a visit from one of Wisconsin's <a href="https://focusonenergy.com/business/agribusiness">Focus on Energy</a> Advisors and find out!
Go to <a href="https://focusonenergy.com/business/agribusiness">Focus on Energy's website</a>&nbsp;and request a visit from an advisor, or call 800.762.7077 for assistance.

Maintenance Now - Rebates & Better Performance Later - Rosy Lane Holsteins

Railroads have long been a staple for Wisconsin agriculture and 2026 is no exception. Brad Peot is the commercial sales manager with WATCO railroad.   Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions company. They provide rail, transloading, terminal and port, and logistics services. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas.  Ben Jarboe learns that right now railroads face unique challenges  during winter when rivers freeze and barge traffic stops.  Extremely cold temperatures slow rail operations because trains rely on air brake systems that work less efficiently in dry, cold conditions. In very cold weather, trains may need to run with fewer railcars to meet air pressure requirements for braking systems. Let's not forget about the crews!  They're working in the outdoors to connect and disconnect railcars, creating safety risks like frostbite during extreme cold.  Peot says that WATCO is responsible for most of the grain movement in Wisconsin today.

Snow piles are starting to disappear thanks to warming temperatures.  Stu Muck says today that means a little early morning for.  For southern WI, temps will sneak back toward 60 by the weekend.

Warmer weather means farms can resume manure management plans in certain areas.  Safety has to be a priority.  That's the message from Kevin Erb, Conservation and Nutrient Specialist with UW Extension.  He tells Kiley Allan that over half of manure-handling accidents occur on the road, with 55% of those happening at intersections due to speed, taking corners too sharply, or failing to account for the sloshing of the liquid in the tank. Approximately 20% of incidents occur when turning into field driveways; many existing culverts and entrances are too narrow for modern, larger farm equipment, requiring infrastructure updates or more cautious maneuvering.  It's not just farmers that need to pay attention.  Erb says civilian drivers share the responsibility for safety. Motorists are encouraged to practice patience, as attempting to pass wide farm machinery in a hurry often leads to preventable collisions.

State senate leaders have wrapped up their work.  Pam Jahnke gives a brief rundown on some of the agribusiness and rural related items that are off the governor's desk.

Wild winter weather undid the first meeting of the WI Agriculture Youth Council this week.  Stephanie Hoff has accepted a board position with WAYC.  Others that have been involved with the council include Mary Schreiber, past National FFA Officer from East Troy.  She explains the unique human connections she made on the council that turned into friendships on the collegiate level.  Likewise, Jersey Thompson from Ettrick is currently a student at Iowa State.  He also served as a past WI State FFA President.  He says the exposure to people already in key positions for agriculture help inspire the desire for hands on experiences.

Railroads have long been a staple for Wisconsin agriculture and 2026 is no exception. Brad Peot is the commercial sales manager with WATCO railroad.&nbsp;&nbsp; Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions company. They provide rail, transloading, terminal and port, and logistics services. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe learns that right now railroads face unique challenges&nbsp; during winter when rivers freeze and barge traffic stops.&nbsp; Extremely&nbsp;cold temperatures slow rail operations because trains rely on air brake systems that work less efficiently in dry, cold conditions. In very cold weather, trains may need to run with fewer railcars to meet air pressure requirements for braking systems. Let's not forget about the crews!&nbsp; They're working in the outdoors to connect and disconnect railcars, creating safety risks like frostbite during extreme cold.&nbsp; Peot says that WATCO is responsible for most of the grain movement in Wisconsin today.
Snow piles are starting to disappear thanks to warming temperatures.&nbsp; Stu Muck says today that means a little early morning for.&nbsp; For southern WI, temps will sneak back toward 60 by the weekend.
Warmer weather means farms can resume manure management plans in certain areas.&nbsp; Safety has to be a priority.&nbsp; That's the message from Kevin Erb, Conservation and Nutrient Specialist with UW Extension.&nbsp; He tells Kiley Allan that over half of manure-handling accidents occur on the road, with 55% of those happening at intersections due to speed, taking corners too sharply, or failing to account for the sloshing of the liquid in the tank. Approximately 20% of incidents occur when turning into field driveways; many existing culverts and entrances are too narrow for modern, larger farm equipment, requiring infrastructure updates or more cautious maneuvering.&nbsp; It's not just farmers that need to pay attention.&nbsp; Erb says civilian drivers share the responsibility for safety. Motorists are encouraged to practice patience, as attempting to pass wide farm machinery in a hurry often leads to preventable collisions.
State senate leaders have wrapped up their work.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke gives a brief rundown on some of the agribusiness and rural related items that are off the governor's desk.
Wild winter weather undid the first meeting of the WI Agriculture Youth Council this week.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff has accepted a board position with WAYC.&nbsp; Others that have been involved with the council include Mary Schreiber, past National FFA Officer from East Troy.&nbsp; She explains the unique human connections she made on the council that turned into friendships on the collegiate level.&nbsp; Likewise, Jersey Thompson from Ettrick is currently a student at Iowa State.&nbsp; He also served as a past WI State FFA President.&nbsp; He says the exposure to people already in key positions for agriculture help inspire the desire for hands on experiences.

Conservation Cropping Encounters A Slimy Situation - Slugs!

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