Manure management is a standard part of Wisconsin farm life, but as operations grow and liquid storage systems become more common, the risks associated with manure pits are trending upward. This is according to UW-Madison Professor and Division of Extension Specialist Rebecca Larson.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or a new hand, here are five critical safety tips to keep in mind before you head out to the pits.

Manure management is a standard part of Wisconsin farm life, but as operations grow and liquid storage systems become more common, the risks associated with manure pits are trending upward. This is according to UW-Madison Professor and Division of Extension Specialist Rebecca Larson.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned operator or a new hand, here are five critical safety tips to keep in mind before you head out to the pits.

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!

Critical Safety Tips Before Heading To The Manure Pit

Consumers are continuing to confront high beef prices at the store. Is the industry closer to helping resolve the imbalance?  Stephanie Hoff finds out with the help of Jeff Swenson, meat and livestock specialist, DATCP.  Swenson says high cattle prices are leading to larger swings in both directions, influenced by fluctuating harvest rates and packer demand. Despite market volatility, farmers currently hold more leverage than packers, as market-ready cattle remain at a premium. Meat packers are currently struggling with profitability, balancing high cattle costs against wholesale beef cutout values. Feed remains the number one expense for cattle feeders, while fuel and pharmaceutical costs (vaccinations) continue to rise for cow-calf producers.High pasture rents and the initial cost of livestock make it difficult for new farmers to enter the beef industry. Many dairy producers are transitioning to  eef as an exit strategy or diversifying their operations with "beef-on-dairy" crossbreeding. While dairy-beef crosses are improving in quality, 100% purebred beef animals still command a price premium. The typical 10-year cattle cycle has been elongated due to drought, resulting in a tighter supply than historically expected at this stage.

Rain is drifting across the state today, bringing with it some gusty winds.  Stu Muck says that temps should stay above average  

Sales averages on many implements and tractors remains firm.  That's the latest update from Ashley Huhn at the Steffes Group.  He is also seeing a surge in interest for fall auctions.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Meet Gabrielle Huitema from Markesan!  This UW-River Falls grad is another finalist for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position.  Huitema has focused most of her college and career experience on humane anmial handling in the slaughter process.  She wants to make sure the message gets out that many things go right in the animal handling arena.

Wisconsin farmers are almost caught up on spring planting pace.  Pam Jahnke provides the latest crop progress update.

John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam Jahnke that most areas of the U.S. are now on par with planting progress.  The unfortunate crop right now is wheat.  Heinberg also highlights news that the Trump administration intends to allow more beef imports into the U.S.  Heinberg says the U.S. is already on a record pace of accepting outside beef, but it's usually much lower quality than what's produced in the U.S.  Markets will be watching developments during the meeting of President Trump and China President,Xi Jinping

Consumers are continuing to confront high beef prices at the store. Is the industry closer to helping resolve the imbalance?&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff finds out with the help of Jeff Swenson, meat and livestock specialist, DATCP.&nbsp; Swenson says high cattle prices are leading to larger swings in both directions, influenced by fluctuating harvest rates and packer demand. Despite market volatility, farmers currently hold more leverage than packers, as market-ready cattle remain at a premium. Meat packers are currently struggling with profitability, balancing high cattle costs against wholesale beef cutout values. Feed remains the number one expense for cattle feeders, while fuel and pharmaceutical costs (vaccinations) continue to rise for cow-calf producers.High pasture rents and the initial cost of livestock make it difficult for new farmers to enter the beef industry. Many dairy producers are transitioning to&nbsp; eef as an exit strategy or diversifying their operations with "beef-on-dairy" crossbreeding. While dairy-beef crosses are improving in quality, 100% purebred beef animals still command a price premium. The typical 10-year cattle cycle has been elongated due to drought, resulting in a tighter supply than historically expected at this stage.
Rain is drifting across the state today, bringing with it some gusty winds.&nbsp; Stu Muck says that temps should stay above average&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sales averages on many implements and tractors remains firm.&nbsp; That's the latest update from Ashley Huhn at the Steffes Group.&nbsp; He is also seeing a surge in interest for fall auctions.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group.
Meet Gabrielle Huitema from Markesan!&nbsp; This UW-River Falls grad is another finalist for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position.&nbsp; Huitema has focused most of her college and career experience on humane anmial handling in the slaughter process.&nbsp; She wants to make sure the message gets out that many things go right in the animal handling arena.
Wisconsin farmers are almost caught up on spring planting pace.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke provides the latest crop progress update.
John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam Jahnke that most areas of the U.S. are now on par with planting progress.&nbsp; The unfortunate crop right now is wheat.&nbsp; Heinberg also highlights news that the Trump administration intends to allow more beef imports into the U.S.&nbsp; Heinberg says the U.S. is already on a record pace of accepting outside beef, but it's usually much lower quality than what's produced in the U.S.&nbsp; Markets will be watching developments during the meeting of President Trump and China President, Xi Jinping

Meet Gabrielle Huitema - Alice Finalist Plus - More Beef Imports Being Allowed - Heinberg

Wisconsin farmers are definitely making up for lost time!  The latest planting progress report showed 31% of the corn was in the ground as of Sunday, 5/10.  Cooper Humphries, district sales manager with Wyffels Hybrids says that growers don't want to make mistakes in a rush to catch up.

Humphries specifically notes sidewall compaction and press wheel pressure when it comes to planter settings.  Making sure those fine points are adjusted can make a big difference in emergence and overall root health for that plant.

Humphries also notes that they've just introduced a new variety, 3299, a 103-day smart stax pro. He's already got in some of their test plots you'll want to watch.

 

Wisconsin farmers are definitely making up for lost time!&nbsp; The latest planting progress report showed 31% of the corn was in the ground as of Sunday, 5/10.&nbsp; Cooper Humphries, district sales manager with <a href="https://www.wyffels.com/agronomy/agronomic-library">Wyffels Hybrids</a> says that growers don't want to make mistakes in a rush to catch up.
Humphries specifically notes sidewall compaction and press wheel pressure when it comes to planter settings.&nbsp; Making sure those fine points are adjusted can make a big difference in emergence and overall root health for that plant.
Humphries also notes that they've just introduced a new variety, <a href="https://www.wyffels.com/agronomy/agronomic-library">3299, a 103-day smart stax pro</a>. He's already got in some of their test plots you'll want to watch.
&nbsp;

Make Sure That Seedbed's Really Ready - Cooper Humphries

Despite challenging weather conditions, Wisconsin potato growers still could take to the fields!  While they may be focused on day-to-day planting chores, they can't help but wonder how their market will look by harvest.  Ben Jarboe does a deeper dive on the situation with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.  Houlihan says there's been some market disruption on the west coast that could impact Wisconsin prices.  One example he uses is potatos used for chips.  Most of those potatoes grown in the west would be bound for the international marketplace.  However, China has increased the number of chip potatoes they're producing to displace many of those acres.

Yes, another frosty start to a May morning.  Stu Muck says the chance of frost starts to lessen after today.  Rain, however, is also in the forecast by mid-week.  The question is how much.

Wisconsin does June Dairy Month like no place else.  Dan Hintz, dairy farmer from Pickett, WI shares some of the plans for June Dairy Month 2026, courtesy of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  Hintz tells Pam Jahnke that it's not just about the food, it's about the interaction and exchange of information that those breakfasts offer.  Hintz says he's proud of the diversity of dairy operations that step up to welcome consumers out to their farms.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

The six finalists applying to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland will make their way to Marathon County later this week.  There, they will engage in the final phase of interviews, as well as tour local businesses.  Pam Jahnke introduces us to Kelly Herness from Whitehall.  Herness grew up a dairy farm and would like to focus her presentation on the services offered through the WI Farm Center.  She says her family just recently discovered the depth of resources available there, and she believes other farms could benefit by knowing what's out there.

Despite challenging weather conditions, Wisconsin potato growers still could take to the fields!&nbsp; While they may be focused on day-to-day planting chores, they can't help but wonder how their market will look by harvest.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe does a deeper dive on the situation with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.&nbsp; Houlihan says there's been some market disruption on the west coast that could impact Wisconsin prices.&nbsp; One example he uses is potatos used for chips.&nbsp; Most of those potatoes grown in the west would be bound for the international marketplace.&nbsp; However, China has increased the number of chip potatoes they're producing to displace many of those acres.
Yes, another frosty start to a May morning.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the chance of frost starts to lessen after today.&nbsp; Rain, however, is also in the forecast by mid-week.&nbsp; The question is how much.
Wisconsin does June Dairy Month like no place else.&nbsp; Dan Hintz, dairy farmer from Pickett, WI shares some of the plans for June Dairy Month 2026, courtesy of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.&nbsp; Hintz tells Pam Jahnke that it's not just about the food, it's about the interaction and exchange of information that those breakfasts offer.&nbsp; Hintz says he's proud of the diversity of dairy operations that step up to welcome consumers out to their farms.&nbsp; Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
The six finalists applying to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland will make their way to Marathon County later this week.&nbsp; There, they will engage in the final phase of interviews, as well as tour local businesses.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke introduces us to Kelly Herness from Whitehall.&nbsp; Herness grew up a dairy farm and would like to focus her presentation on the services offered through the WI Farm Center.&nbsp; She says her family just recently discovered the depth of resources available there, and she believes other farms could benefit by knowing what's out there.

Critical Safety Tips Before Heading To The Manure Pit

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