We're seeing farms nationwide as well as here at home in Wisconsin struggling with a labor shortage. UW-Madison's agricultural safety and health specialist John Shutske says that's largely attributed to the low unemployment rate. He says that in order for farms to keep their labor, they must keep their operations attractive.

We're seeing farms nationwide as well as here at home in Wisconsin struggling with a labor shortage. UW-Madison's agricultural safety and health specialist John Shutske says that's largely attributed to the low unemployment rate. He says that in order for farms to keep their labor, they must keep their operations attractive.

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!

Is Your Farm Attractive To Workers?

Getting people to put more beef in their grocery carts today is more challenging than ever.  Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the WI Beef Council, says consumers still value beef, but the price may slow their purchases down a bit.

One of the most popular elements of May Beef Month is the annual "best beef burger" campaign.  Again this year, many restaurants from across the state were submitted for their burger creations.  Vaassen explains how promotion of those burgers escalated beef sales for those participants.

The Dump Bar & Grill in Cambria (this year's contest winner and three-time participant in the contest) reported a 30% increase in business. First-time participant Pastimes Pub & Grill in Ripon saw burger sales increase 114% and beef usage increase 118% in the 25 days following the Elite Eight announcement.

The contest generated an estimated $4.15 million in advertising value equivalency (AVE), an 88% increase over last year and a 277% increase over 2024. AVE estimates what it would have cost to purchase the same amount of exposure through paid advertising.

Total editorial reach climbed to 446 million impressions, up 87% from 2025 and 295% from 2024. Editorial reach estimates the total audience that had the opportunity to see or hear contest-related coverage. Wisconsin Beef Council digital content contributed more than 706,000 impressions during the campaign.

The contest began with statewide consumer nominations, followed by an Elite Eight selection and secret evaluations of each spot. Planning is already underway for the 4th Annual Wisconsin’s Best Burger Contest next spring.

 

Getting people to put more beef in their grocery carts today is more challenging than ever.&nbsp; Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the WI Beef Council, says consumers still value beef, but the price may slow their purchases down a bit.
One of the most popular elements of May Beef Month is the annual "best beef burger" campaign.&nbsp; Again this year, many restaurants from across the state were submitted for their burger creations.&nbsp; Vaassen explains how promotion of those burgers escalated beef sales for those participants.
The Dump Bar &amp; Grill in Cambria (this year's contest winner and three-time participant in the contest)&nbsp;reported a 30% increase in business. First-time participant Pastimes Pub &amp; Grill in Ripon saw burger sales increase 114% and beef usage increase 118% in the 25 days following the Elite Eight announcement. The contest generated an estimated $4.15 million in advertising value equivalency (AVE), an 88% increase over last year and a 277% increase over 2024. AVE estimates what it would have cost to purchase the same amount of exposure through paid advertising. Total editorial reach climbed to 446 million impressions, up 87% from 2025 and 295% from 2024. Editorial reach estimates the total audience that had the opportunity to see or hear contest-related coverage. Wisconsin Beef Council digital content contributed more than 706,000 impressions during the campaign.
The contest began with statewide consumer nominations, followed by an Elite Eight selection and secret evaluations of each spot. Planning is already underway for the 4th Annual Wisconsin&rsquo;s Best Burger Contest next spring.
&nbsp;

May Beef Month Activities Pay Off - Vaassen

Wisconsin beef producers joined a nationwide effort among State Beef Councils to amplify the beef industry’s summer grilling campaign.  Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Coordinator for the Wisconsin Beef Council explains the campaign with Pam Jahnke.  The Wisconsin Beef Council invited women with various stills and areas of influence to learn more about grilling beef.  It was worth their time, thanks to generous support from Pit Boss for the event – which not only included the use of their smokers but also the expertise of Pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen.  Whippen lead the course as a 25 year champion BBQ pitmaster and member of the 2022 BBQ hall of fame.

Whippen shared tips and demonstrated how to cook Tri-Tips, Brisket, and burger
basics. These influencers can then take this knowledge back to their audiences and increase confidence at the grill or smoker.  It was very well received.

While giving hands-on skills to those grillers, the WI Beef Council also reached out through virtual experiences.  Kessler says WBC's partnership with the Wisconsin Agriculture in the
Classroom, Alice in Dairyland and Poppy Family Farms targeted elementary classrooms across the state with a virtual tour of a beef farm.

Hosted by Wisconsin’s 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, alongside farmer
Rebecca Poppy of Poppy Family Farms in Omro, the tour introduced students to
cattle, animal care practices and the role beef farmers play in producing a safe,
nutritious food supply. Preliminary participation estimates show approximately 35 classrooms and more than 600 students joined the live event. The recorded tour will be made available on BeefTips.com and wisagclassroom.org, allowing educators to access the content throughout the
school year.

Wisconsin beef producers joined a nationwide effort among State Beef Councils to amplify the beef industry&rsquo;s summer grilling campaign.&nbsp; Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Coordinator for the <a href="https://www.beeftips.com/">Wisconsin Beef Council</a> explains the campaign with Pam Jahnke.&nbsp; The<a href="https://www.beeftips.com/"> Wisconsin Beef Council </a>invited women with various stills and areas of influence to learn more about grilling beef.&nbsp; It was worth their time, thanks to generous support from Pit Boss for the event &ndash; which not only included the use of their smokers but also the expertise of Pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen.&nbsp; Whippen lead the course as a 25 year champion BBQ pitmaster and member of the 2022 BBQ hall of fame.
Whippen shared tips and demonstrated how to cook Tri-Tips, Brisket, and burger basics. These influencers can then take this knowledge back to their audiences and increase confidence at the grill or smoker.&nbsp; It was very well received.
While giving hands-on skills to those grillers, the <a href="https://www.beeftips.com/">WI Beef Council </a>also reached out through virtual experiences.&nbsp; Kessler says WBC's partnership with the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom, Alice in Dairyland and Poppy Family Farms targeted elementary classrooms across the state with a virtual tour of a beef farm.
Hosted by Wisconsin&rsquo;s 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, alongside farmer Rebecca Poppy of Poppy Family Farms in Omro, the tour introduced students to cattle, animal care practices and the role beef farmers play in producing a safe, nutritious food supply. Preliminary participation estimates show approximately 35 classrooms and more than 600 students joined the live event. The recorded tour will be made available on BeefTips.com and wisagclassroom.org, allowing educators to access the content throughout the school year.

Anybody Can Be At The Grill Plus Virtual Farm Tours Are A Hit

Janet Keller is the general manager of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. She tells Kiley Allan the details you need to know before you go to this year's event. We'll see you on July 14-16 at No Joke Dairy in Stratford!

Janet Keller is the general manager of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. She tells Kiley Allan the details you need to know before you go to this year's event. We'll see you on July 14-16 at No Joke Dairy in Stratford!

Is Your Farm Attractive To Workers?

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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