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

We start our morning with Jill Welke in Eau Claire! She catches up with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's Brad Olson about roundtable conversations that could shape agricultural policy.

 

Stu says we may have to dodge a little rain for Father's Day, but otherwise looking to be a sunny weekend! 


Traditionally, Father's Day means family outings and bbqs. A recent report from CoBank says the grill isn't the only place people are choosing protein. Abbi (Prins) Groves is a Livestock Economist who says that meat snacks are rising in popularity. She predicts whether it's a short-term fad or a long-term trend.

Sarah Hagenow stops in with a quick recipe that pairs June Dairy Month and Father's Day nicely.

Hands-on learning doesn't stop after school. There are many career education opportunities that benefit from acting out scenarios. Brad Zellner from the Luxemburg Fire Department says old farm houses being prepared for demolition make great training opportunities for local crews. 

We start our morning with Jill Welke in Eau Claire! She catches up with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's Brad Olson about roundtable conversations that could shape agricultural policy.
&nbsp;
Stu says we may have to dodge a little rain for Father's Day, but otherwise looking to be a sunny weekend!&nbsp;
 Traditionally, Father's Day means family outings and bbqs. A recent report from CoBank says the grill isn't the only place people are choosing protein. Abbi (Prins) Groves is a Livestock Economist who says that meat snacks are rising in popularity. She predicts whether it's a short-term fad or a long-term trend.
Sarah Hagenow stops in with a quick recipe that pairs June Dairy Month and Father's Day nicely.
Hands-on learning doesn't stop after school. There are many career education opportunities that benefit from acting out scenarios. Brad Zellner from the Luxemburg Fire Department says old farm houses being prepared for demolition make great training opportunities for local crews.&nbsp;

Dairy Month & FFA Convention -- Let's Talk June!

Hunger Task Force, based in Milwaukee, received a $2.5 million grant from the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection to connect Wisconsin farms with individuals who need a little extra assistance putting food on their plates.  Pam Jahnke helps people understand the scope of work being done through the grant with Jonathan Hansen, chief strategy officer at Hunger Task Force.  He explains the 180 different locations they help coordinate statewide.  Hansen says they're also accumulating names and contact information for Wisconsin farms looking to partner with the Hunger Task Force.  Hansen estimates that the network serves approximately 180,000 people every month.

Showers should've moved through Wisconsin for now.  Stu Muck recaps some of the rainfall amounts over the past 24 hours.  He says temperatures will stay mild into the weekend when another chance of rain redevelops.

It was an evening of honors for students, teachers, and adult leaders at the 97th Wisconsin State FFA Convention.  Kiley Allan was there.  Four amazing high school students were named as the "Stars Over Wisconsin" elite.  They will represent the state at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis later this year.  Allan congratulates the following Stars: Star in Agribusiness: Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA; Star in Agriscience: Owen Hemling, Beaver Dam FFA; Star in Agricultural Placement: Katelyn Wunder, Waterford FFA and Star Farmer: Liv Lucas, Greenwood FFA.  Hemling explains how his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has led him to a collegiate career he hopes to pursue at MIT.  

The evening also brought the announcement of the 2026-27 State Officer Team.  Pam Jahnke congratulates:  
Suki Gatica, Amery FFA
Eli Bell, New Richmond FFA
Josie Bailey, Tomah FFA
Alyvia Ruegsegger, Black Hawk FFA
Owen Moore, Mischicot FFA
Rylee Brattlie, Cambridge FFA
Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA
Jordan Berg, Granton FFA
Natalie Rieth, Oconto Falls FFA
Owen Bronecki, Mayville FFA

Meanwhile, Wisconsin dairy operators are watching the nonfat dry milk price waste away.  Collin Aardema, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk about that.  Aardema says the U.S. is still above the international price on nonfat, so more adjustment is coming.  He also updates us on the milk capacity that's been built, and is coming online.  

 

Hunger Task Force, based in Milwaukee, received a $2.5 million grant from the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection to connect Wisconsin farms with individuals who need a little extra assistance putting food on their plates.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke helps people understand the scope of work being done through the grant with Jonathan Hansen, chief strategy officer at Hunger Task Force.&nbsp; He explains the 180 different locations they help coordinate statewide.&nbsp; Hansen says they're also accumulating names and contact information for Wisconsin farms looking to partner with the Hunger Task Force.&nbsp; Hansen estimates that the network serves approximately 180,000 people every month.
Showers should've moved through Wisconsin for now.&nbsp; Stu Muck recaps some of the rainfall amounts over the past 24 hours.&nbsp; He says temperatures will stay mild into the weekend when another chance of rain redevelops.
It was an evening of honors for students, teachers, and adult leaders at the 97th Wisconsin State FFA Convention.&nbsp; Kiley Allan was there.&nbsp; Four amazing high school students were named as the "Stars Over Wisconsin" elite.&nbsp; They will represent the state at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis later this year.&nbsp; Allan congratulates the following Stars: Star in&nbsp;Agribusiness: Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA; Star in&nbsp;Agriscience: Owen Hemling, Beaver Dam FFA; Star in&nbsp;Agricultural Placement: Katelyn Wunder, Waterford FFA&nbsp;and Star&nbsp;Farmer: Liv Lucas, Greenwood FFA.&nbsp; Hemling explains how his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has led him to a collegiate career he hopes to pursue at MIT. &nbsp;
The evening also brought the announcement of the 2026-27 State Officer Team.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke congratulates:&nbsp; Suki Gatica, Amery FFA Eli Bell, New Richmond FFA Josie Bailey, Tomah FFA Alyvia Ruegsegger, Black Hawk FFA Owen Moore, Mischicot FFA Rylee Brattlie, Cambridge FFA Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA Jordan Berg, Granton FFA Natalie Rieth, Oconto Falls FFA Owen Bronecki, Mayville FFA
Meanwhile, Wisconsin dairy operators are watching the nonfat dry milk price waste away.&nbsp; Collin Aardema, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk about that.&nbsp; Aardema says the U.S. is still above the international price on nonfat, so more adjustment is coming.&nbsp; He also updates us on the milk capacity that's been built, and is coming online.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Stars Over Wisconsin Announced As Well As State FFA Officers 2026-27

It's the gift that will keep giving!  Fox Valley Technical College just received a generous donation of land that they're already putting to work for students.  Kiley Allan gets the story from Paul Groell, Department Chair Natural Resources Program @ Fox Valley Technical College.  Fox Valley Technical College received an anonymous donation of a 160-acre plot of land, intended to preserve the habitat from development and serve as an educational tool for the school's two-year Natural Resources program. The property acts as a powerhouse of biodiversity, containing mixed forested areas, prairies, ponds, wetlands, and a navigable stream. This variety allows students to study forestry, soils, water and wildlife all in one location. Students are already utilizing the land as a safe place for practical coursework including chainsaw safety, tree limbing, trail maintenance, and wildlife data collection using camera traps. The program prepares students for versatile technician or wildland firefighting roles, and benefits from close partnerships with four-year institutions to offer an easy transfer path for students looking to continue their education after their associate degree.

From hail to measurable rain - that's what Wisconsin saw on Tuesday.  There could be more of the same today!  Stu Muck shares the outlook on showers and thunderstorms that have already started moving into the state.

Yes, Wisconsin FFA continues to grow, but finding teachers to execute the lesson plans connected to those chapters is tough.  Pam Jahnke visits with Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Association, about current worries going into the next school year.  She says they're already aware of 10 teacher retirements that will need to be filled.  While Zimmerman acknowledges that tools like experience based licensing have added some staff to schools, it doesn't negate the huge need for agriculture educators.  She says they currently have about 28,000 members statewide with 6 newly chartered chapters.  Zimmerman also says they're considering opening options to students as young as 5th grade to keep the pipeline full of potential members.

From t-shirt designs to empowering women at the grill - the Wisconsin Beef Council is busy.  Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Director for the WI Beef Council takes a minute to recap some of the action so far this spring.  She explains how they enlisted top chefs to educate several female influencers about the finer points of using the grill.  Well the event was well received, however, she said they also learned that finding the right cuts of meat for the grill was a bit of a challenge for some of the women.  Fortunately, the chefs on hand and the resources at beeftips.com helped steer them in the right direction.  Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.

It's the gift that will keep giving!&nbsp; Fox Valley Technical College just received a generous donation of land that they're already putting to work for students.&nbsp; Kiley Allan gets the story from Paul Groell, Department Chair Natural Resources Program&nbsp;<a>@</a>&nbsp;Fox Valley Technical College.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fox Valley Technical College received an anonymous donation of a&nbsp;160-acre plot of land, intended to preserve the habitat from development and serve as an educational tool for the school's two-year Natural Resources program. The property acts as a powerhouse of biodiversity, containing mixed forested areas, prairies, ponds, wetlands, and a navigable stream. This variety allows students to study forestry, soils, water and wildlife all in one location. Students are already utilizing the land as a safe place for practical coursework including chainsaw safety, tree limbing, trail maintenance, and wildlife data collection using camera traps.&nbsp;The program prepares students for versatile technician or wildland firefighting roles, and benefits from close partnerships with four-year institutions to offer an easy transfer path for students looking to continue their education after their associate degree.
From hail to measurable rain - that's what Wisconsin saw on Tuesday.&nbsp; There could be more of the same today!&nbsp; Stu Muck shares the outlook on showers and thunderstorms that have already started moving into the state.
Yes, Wisconsin FFA continues to grow, but finding teachers to execute the lesson plans connected to those chapters is tough.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Association, about current worries going into the next school year.&nbsp; She says they're already aware of 10 teacher retirements that will need to be filled.&nbsp; While Zimmerman acknowledges that tools like experience based licensing have added some staff to schools, it doesn't negate the huge need for agriculture educators.&nbsp; She says they currently have about 28,000 members statewide with 6 newly chartered chapters.&nbsp; Zimmerman also says they're considering opening options to students as young as 5th grade to keep the pipeline full of potential members.
From t-shirt designs to empowering women at the grill - the Wisconsin Beef Council is busy.&nbsp; Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Director for the WI Beef Council takes a minute to recap some of the action so far this spring.&nbsp; She explains how they enlisted top chefs to educate several female influencers about the finer points of using the grill.&nbsp; Well the event was well received, however, she said they also learned that finding the right cuts of meat for the grill was a bit of a challenge for some of the women.&nbsp; Fortunately, the chefs on hand and the resources at <a href="http://beeftips.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://beeftips.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781866744093000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0oChCXi_to-aGseLytOl4_">beeftips.com</a> helped steer them in the right direction.&nbsp; Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.

Critical Safety Tips Before Heading To The Manure Pit

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