Wisconsin FFA alum Tyson Gehrke tells Stephanie Hoff about his eye-opening journey through Spain as part of the National FFA’s International Leadership Seminar. From trading Southwest Wisconsin’s cornfields for endless groves of citrus and olives to navigating the European Union’s strict agricultural regulations, Tyson explains how stepping outside his comfort zone redefined his view of global farming. Now a student at Iowa State, he reveals how traveling abroad is shaping his future career in agribusiness.

Wisconsin FFA alum Tyson Gehrke tells Stephanie Hoff about his eye-opening journey through Spain as part of the National FFA&rsquo;s International Leadership Seminar. From trading Southwest Wisconsin&rsquo;s cornfields for endless groves of citrus and olives to navigating the European Union&rsquo;s strict agricultural regulations, Tyson explains how stepping outside his comfort zone redefined his view of global farming. Now a student at Iowa State, he reveals how traveling abroad is shaping his future career in agribusiness.

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!

Eleven Days In Spain Redefined This FFA Alum's Career

The 46th annual meeting of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni brought historic high marks for membership.  Pam Jahnke discusses the accomplishments and what's ahead with Tari Costello, executive director of the group.  Costello says they've gained 2,000 more members in the past year, as well as 10 new alumni chapters statewide.  Nick Lowe is pleased to see the numbers.  Lowe is a life-long member of the Stoughton FFA and Stoughton FFA Alumni.  He explains how his parents helped inspire his engagement with FFA, and how he elevated his activities to the state level.

Another blustery day for Wisconsin with winds whipping up to 35 miles per hour.  Stu Muck says the winds should settle down later this week but not before some lumpy precipitation moves through.

The Mid-West Farm Report has partnered with the Professional Dairy Producers for their annual business conference coming up March 4-5.  Ben Jarboe highlights some of the top shelf conversations that will be offered, including Dr. David Kohl.  Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Ag Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech, will speak on building a resilient dairy business. Resilient, nimble dairy operations often have three to six different revenue streams. Kohl says diversification strategies discussed will include value-added creameries, agritourism, special events, cattle genetics sales, methane digesters, and consulting services. 

First time attendees could score free admission courtesy of the Mid-West Farm Report.  Just text your name and email address to 877-301-3276.  Valued at more than $400!Markets are still trying to figure out what the tariff conversations mean for agriculture.  

With the Supreme Court denying President Trump's tariff's, but then the president deploying another round of tariffs under a different measure - everyone's confused.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, tries to sort through what we know now.  Also, beef consumption remains well supported by consumers despite higher prices.

The 46th annual meeting of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni brought historic high marks for membership.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke discusses the accomplishments and what's ahead with Tari Costello, executive director of the group.&nbsp; Costello says they've gained 2,000 more members in the past year, as well as 10 new alumni chapters statewide.&nbsp; Nick Lowe is pleased to see the numbers.&nbsp; Lowe is a life-long member of the Stoughton FFA and Stoughton FFA Alumni.&nbsp; He explains how his parents helped inspire his engagement with FFA, and how he elevated his activities to the state level.
Another blustery day for Wisconsin with winds whipping up to 35 miles per hour.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the winds should settle down later this week but not before some lumpy precipitation moves through.
The Mid-West Farm Report has partnered with the Professional Dairy Producers for their annual business conference coming up March 4-5.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe highlights some of the top shelf conversations that will be offered, including Dr. David Kohl.&nbsp; Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Ag Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech, will speak on building a resilient dairy business. Resilient, nimble dairy operations often have three to six different revenue streams. Kohl says diversification strategies discussed will include value-added creameries, agritourism, special events, cattle genetics sales, methane digesters, and consulting services.&nbsp;
First time attendees could score free admission courtesy of the Mid-West Farm Report.&nbsp; Just text your name and email address to 877-301-3276.&nbsp; Valued at more than $400!Markets are still trying to figure out what the tariff conversations mean for agriculture.&nbsp; 
With the Supreme Court denying President Trump's tariff's, but then the president deploying another round of tariffs under a different measure - everyone's confused.&nbsp; John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, tries to sort through what we know now.&nbsp; Also, beef consumption remains well supported by consumers despite higher prices.

FFA Alumni Numbers Surge & Consumers Still Buying Beef - Heinberg

 

The Wisconsin FFA held its second annual FFA auctioneering competition, with Junie Kierce, a junior at Waunakee High School, capturing first place. Kierce visits with Ben Jarboe about how she happened upon the competition, and prepared for the event.  Junie looked for a mentor to sharpen her skills and connected with fundraising auctioneer Jenny Gale of North Prairie. Training began with mastering numbers—counting forward and backward, working in quarters and hundreds—to build a strong foundation. Tongue twisters were a major part of practice to develop rhythm, clarity, and speed before refining an auction chant. Once comfortable with cadence and numbers, Junie worked on incorporating filler words and creating a smooth chant. Beyond the chant, mentoring also focused on salesmanship, knowing the items, stage presence, and overcoming stage fright. The Wisconsin Auctioneers Association promotes the competition to introduce FFA students to career opportunities in the auction industry.

Be grateful you're not in New York City today!  Stu Muck says the wild winter weather they're dealing with on the East Coast won't make its presence felt in WI, but our temps will stay cold.

Farmers aren't the only ones who pay close attention to the weather for their occupations.  So do riverboat captains.  Kiley Allan catches up with Jimmy “JRock” Cheatham, Pilot Barge Captain on the Mississippi River.  While navigation continues, heavy river ice can cut travel speeds in half and requires square barge configurations to prevent ice from packing into gaps and hindering steering. To navigate treacherous winter conditions and lower water levels caused by ongoing droughts, captains must reduce tow sizes—sometimes from 42+ barges down to 25—which directly impacts corporate profitability.

Congratulations to Bryanna and Dylan Handel of Barneveld.  They've been named the 2026 Compeer Financial Groundbreakers of the Year.  Pam Jahnke explains their farming operation.

Wisconsin FFA Alumni have some big plans for 2026!  Tari Costello, executive director of the group, explains that they have 2,000 more members this year compared to last, with 10 new chapters added to the roster.  Costello says the group is undertaking an effort to launch FFA license plates for the state.  Once they've secured all the financial support needed, as well as necessary signatures to begin, they estimate that $25 of each license plate sold would end up benefitting FFA in Wisconsin.  She explains the plan to Pam Jahnke.

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The Wisconsin FFA held its second annual FFA auctioneering competition, with Junie Kierce, a junior at Waunakee High School, capturing first place. Kierce visits with Ben Jarboe about how she happened upon the competition, and prepared for the event.&nbsp; Junie looked for a mentor to sharpen her skills and connected with fundraising auctioneer Jenny Gale of North Prairie. Training began with mastering numbers&mdash;counting forward and backward, working in quarters and hundreds&mdash;to build a strong foundation. Tongue twisters were a major part of practice to develop rhythm, clarity, and speed before refining an auction chant. Once comfortable with cadence and numbers, Junie worked on incorporating filler words and creating a smooth chant. Beyond the chant, mentoring also focused on salesmanship, knowing the items, stage presence, and overcoming stage fright. The Wisconsin Auctioneers Association promotes the competition to introduce FFA students to career opportunities in the auction industry.
Be grateful you're not in New York City today!&nbsp; Stu Muck says the wild winter weather they're dealing with on the East Coast won't make its presence felt in WI, but our temps will stay cold. Farmers aren't the only ones who pay close attention to the weather for their occupations.&nbsp; So do riverboat captains.&nbsp; Kiley Allan catches up with Jimmy &ldquo;JRock&rdquo; Cheatham,&nbsp;Pilot Barge Captain on the Mississippi River.&nbsp;&nbsp;While navigation continues, heavy river ice can cut travel speeds in half and requires square barge configurations to prevent ice from packing into gaps and hindering steering. To navigate treacherous winter conditions and lower water levels caused by ongoing droughts, captains must reduce tow sizes&mdash;sometimes from 42+ barges down to 25&mdash;which directly impacts corporate profitability. Congratulations to Bryanna and Dylan Handel of Barneveld.&nbsp; They've been named the 2026 Compeer Financial Groundbreakers of the Year.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke explains their farming operation. Wisconsin FFA Alumni have some big plans for 2026!&nbsp; Tari Costello, executive director of the group, explains that they have 2,000 more members this year compared to last, with 10 new chapters added to the roster.&nbsp; Costello says the group is undertaking an effort to launch FFA license plates for the state.&nbsp; Once they've secured all the financial support needed, as well as necessary signatures to begin, they estimate that $25 of each license plate sold would end up benefitting FFA in Wisconsin.&nbsp; She explains the plan to Pam Jahnke.

FFA Week Starts With Great News Plus Auctioneering Provides A Career Path

NaCole Johnson, global talent acquisition specialist at URUS, and Stephanie Hoff discuss the shift toward hiring for passion, adaptability, and data fluency. Hands-on internships are preparing Gen Z to tackle global challenges in sustainability and food security. A mission-driven mindset is the new gold standard for the next generation of agricultural leaders.

NaCole Johnson, global talent acquisition specialist at URUS, and Stephanie Hoff discuss the shift toward hiring for passion, adaptability, and data fluency. Hands-on internships are preparing Gen Z to tackle global challenges in sustainability and food security. A mission-driven mindset is the new gold standard for the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Eleven Days In Spain Redefined This FFA Alum's Career

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