Wisconsin and many other states are dealing with a situation where unemployment is at all-time lows, but businesses are starving for employees. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek says we're in this situation because of trends that have been decades in the making -- low birth rates and retiring 'Boomers'. The state has several programs in place to build and retain its own workforce, such as with apprenticeships and other training programs. Pechacek argues that investments in health care, housing and other infrastructure can help attract working age people in from other states.

Wisconsin and many other states are dealing with a situation where unemployment is at all-time lows, but businesses are starving for employees. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek says we're in this situation because of trends that have been decades in the making -- low birth rates and retiring 'Boomers'. The state has several programs in place to build and retain its own workforce, such as with apprenticeships and other training programs. Pechacek argues that investments in health care, housing and other infrastructure can help attract working age people in from other states.

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!

DWD's Challenge: Building & Attracting A Workforce

 When a program has been honed and developed for nearly 70 years, real success can happen. That's exactly what the Wisconsin Beef Improvement Association has experienced with their sale. Alan Arndt sat down with Kiley Allan. He's the Wisconsin Beef Improvement President, Simental Director and a longtime consigner at the sale. He tells us about the sale's rich history and what consignors and buyers can expect this Saturday at the sale. 

&nbsp;When a program has been honed and developed for nearly 70 years, real success can happen. That's exactly what the Wisconsin Beef Improvement Association has experienced with their sale. Alan Arndt sat down with Kiley Allan. He's the Wisconsin Beef Improvement President, Simental Director and a longtime consigner at the sale. He tells us about the sale's rich history and what consignors and buyers can expect this Saturday at the sale.&nbsp;

WBIA Bulls Benefit Data-Driven Herds

If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes. We’ve all seen a day start with a frost and end with a sunburn. But here’s the thing -- while the atmosphere is unpredictable, our ability to track it shouldn't be. No matter what curveballs the sky throws at us, you can be a part of this historic weather story. You see things a satellite can’t. You know that the rain gauge on your porch might tell a completely different story than the one on the farm just two miles down the road. Mid-West Farm Report is inviting you to join more than 500 of your neighbors across the state as a volunteer weather observer for CoCoRaHS -- Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network. By reporting what’s happening right outside your window, you’re helping the National Weather Service determine the true impact and severity of every storm. Take it from Cynnara Montag, a proud weather observer since 2021, when she answered the call from her local watershed group to help the National Weather Service. She tells Stephanie Hoff that the reports provide a high-definition picture of where the rain actually falls. Sign up today at WisconsinWeatherWatchers.org. Don’t just endure the weather, track it, understand it, and tell the story.

If you don&rsquo;t like the weather, just wait five minutes. We&rsquo;ve all seen a day start with a frost and end with a sunburn. But here&rsquo;s the thing -- while the atmosphere is unpredictable, our ability to track it shouldn't be. No matter what curveballs the sky throws at us, you can be a part of this historic weather story. You see things a satellite can&rsquo;t. You know that the rain gauge on your porch might tell a completely different story than the one on the farm just two miles down the road. Mid-West Farm Report is inviting you to join more than 500 of your neighbors across the state as a volunteer weather observer for CoCoRaHS -- Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network. By reporting what&rsquo;s happening right outside your window, you&rsquo;re helping the National Weather Service determine the true impact and severity of every storm. Take it from Cynnara Montag, a proud weather observer since 2021, when she answered the call from her local watershed group to help the National Weather Service. She tells Stephanie Hoff that the reports provide a high-definition picture of where the rain actually falls. Sign up today at <a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/State.aspx?state=WI">WisconsinWeatherWatchers.org</a>. Don&rsquo;t just endure the weather, track it, understand it, and tell the story.

Wisconsin’s Wild Weather Just Became Your New Hobby!

Intercompatibility and speed are essential for farmers to have with their equipment, and with the labor shortage getting worse each year, producers need to be able to work faster with less hands. Ben Jarboe talks with Dave Smarts, the team leader for the Agricultural Electronics Foundation's High Speed Isobust Research, to see how they are working to make equipment computers 4,000 times faster.

Today will see a dip in temperatures according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck during the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update. The rest of the week holds warmer temperatures, but also some rain. 

Wisconsin's dairy farmers are always looking for new ways to diversify and many have found success with beef on dairy. Kiley Allan chats with Casey Jentz, the COO of the American Angus Association, to see why the angus crosses are finding success in the market.

Keeping animals well fed and healthy with tightening margins is always a difficult task, but there are ways to do it. Stephanie Hoff gains insights with Jake Guenzler, an independent nutritionist for Southern Wisconsin, to see how dairy farmers can work their forage to conserve money and keep healthy cattle.

Pam Jahnke joins the show with Randy Kath from the Steffes Group to see how people are using auctions for added income on their farms.

Intercompatibility and speed are essential for farmers to have with their equipment, and with the labor shortage getting worse each year, producers need to be able to work faster with less hands. Ben Jarboe talks with Dave Smarts, the team leader for the Agricultural Electronics Foundation's High Speed Isobust Research, to see how they are working to make equipment computers 4,000 times faster.
Today will see a dip in temperatures according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck during the Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update. The rest of the week holds warmer temperatures, but also some rain.&nbsp;
Wisconsin's dairy farmers are always looking for new ways to diversify and many have found success with beef on dairy. Kiley Allan chats with Casey Jentz, the COO of the American Angus Association, to see why the angus crosses are finding success in the market.
Keeping animals well fed and healthy with tightening margins is always a difficult task, but there are ways to do it. Stephanie Hoff gains insights with Jake Guenzler, an independent nutritionist for Southern Wisconsin, to see how dairy farmers can work their forage to conserve money and keep healthy cattle.
Pam Jahnke joins the show with Randy Kath from the Steffes Group to see how people are using auctions for added income on their farms.

DWD's Challenge: Building & Attracting A Workforce

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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