The cranberry harvest is just around the corner.  Jill Welke catches up with UW-Extension Cranberry Specialist, Allison Jonjak, about how the crop is shaping up. The inaugural class of the Farm and Industry Short Course is about to launch at UW-River Falls.  Pam Jahnke talks with UWRF coordinator, Dr. Steve Kelm, about applications and coursework. If your kids are in elementary school across the state - ask them a question about strawberries.  You might be surprised by their answers.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Beth Schaeffer, WI Ag in the Classroom coordinator, about their Book of the Year - focused on strawberries. The Van De Voorts of Price county is celebrating 100 years in the family. For Joe Van De Voort’s family farm in Price County, the cows left in the 1980s, but he brought them back in the 2000s. Joe is the fourth generation on the 80-acre Centennial farm. And in order to continue the farm’s legacy as a dairy farm, he’s starting to think about adding milk processing or a retail store to the operation for the fifth generation. 

As America’s Dairyland, Wisconsin has numerous events that highlight the impact of dairy on our state. This include dairy livestock shows, farm breakfasts during June dairy month, or other events that highlight all of the different dairy products that we have to offer. A new event this year is the Art of the Cheese Festival. This event will be hosted by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and is taking place in downtown Madison September 29th - October 1st. Rachel Kerr from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin shares more about the upcoming event.

Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom is dedicated to providing agricultural information through teaching resources and lesson plans to help K-12 students develop an understanding of how their food is grown and raised. Beth Schaefer, Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom coordinator says they have been working on a lot of exciting projects including a volunteer rally, book of the year program, podcast and more. She explains more about these but first starts by explaining more about their curriculum called Expedition Agriculture. Schaefer says, “Our goal for this year is to expand our reach to 40 classrooms. The demand for the program is growing, and we are working with partners to maximize our impact”

The FS Crop Tour is underway across the Midwest, including Wisconsin. Crop Specialist Matt O'Leary out of Waupun is one of the scouts canvassing corn fields in Wisconsin. The sample size has been small, but he says folks have been surprised so far at their yield projections after a difficult growing season. The data collected, including estimated yield, is uploaded to the FS Agronomy Yield Analyzer: https://agronomyapps.growmark.com/YieldAnalyzer

The UW School of Veterinary Medicine is getting ready for the ribbon cutting of their new, state of the art, addition.  They're also preparing for the departure of Dr. Mark Markel, who's stepping down as dean next summer.  He visits with Pam Jahnke about his decision. Farmers are on the hunt for good, used equipment before the harvest hits full swing.  Pam Jahnke talks to Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group in their weekly update. The first of the 2023 harvest reports kicks off with Dr. Brent Tharp, technical product manager with Wyffels Hybrids.  The drought-like conditions many farms faced have forced corn plants to cannibalize the stalk, leading to potential harvest issues.  Paid program from Wyffels Hybrids.

This is National Farm Safety and Health Week in Wisconsin, and rural responders are getting a lot of attention.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Kyle Koshalek, coordinator for upcoming farm safety training for emergency responders.  There are some unique challenges when emergency responders have to respond to a farm accident.  This training should help them be able to efficiently handle the call. Enrollment is underway for the fall term of the Farm and Industry Short Course, now housed at UW-River Falls.  Nate Zimdars talks to Heather Gayton. She's the Outreach Program Manager for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciencesin Madison.  They're creating unique content that will be a part of the learning experience in River Falls. August milk production saw a pretty dramatic drop in milk production for states like CA, CO and NM.  Pam Jahnke drills in on details with Katie Burgess, broker analyst with EverAg, on whether recovery will be on the way with more moderate temperatures.

Every year Wisconsin hosts the Wisconsin International Poultry Show at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Portage at the end of September. The show attracts hundreds of exhibitors from all across the country exhibiting thousands of birds. Kaylyn Schleicher, the current President of the Wisconsin International Poultry Club, the group that organizes the event, dives into what to expect at the show.

Farmer are getting paid to reduce carbon emissions or to keep carbon trapped in the ground. Organic Valley is getting up to $25 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help its members become 'climate-smart'. They’re going to provide payment or other incentives to 500 of their member farmers over the next five years to lower their carbon footprint. Nicole Rakobitsch is the director of sustainability at Organic Valley. She says a climate-smart practice is really anything that reduces greenhouse gas emissions or sequesters carbon in trees or soil. Organic Valley’s Carbon Insetting Program aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the supply chain for their dairy and eggs. The cooperative is just one of more than a dozen Wisconsin recipients of these 'climate-smart' dollars from the federal government. You can learn more about the initiative at https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/ -- just search "climate-smart".

Who owns the farmland? And are they a threat to the food system or the economy? These are the questions that the Assembly Committee on Agriculture is working through as the issue on foreign land ownership emerges as a priority in the State Capitol. Representative Travis Tranel who chairs the committee, says they’re working on where to draw the line between foreign land owners who are a threat versus a good partner. Two bills regarding foreign land ownership are in the Assembly Ag Committee. Tranel says they’re pulling out the best from each one to craft one new bill. Solar projects are also a concern among his constituents. In other news, even though the 2023 Farm Bill is a federal conversation, Tranel says he was glad to be a part of the recent hearing in La Crosse.

Many growers faced extraordinary dry conditions this year, and the corn plants responded! Dr. Brent Tharp, Technical Product Manager for Wyffels, says that the plant naturally cannibalizes the stalk to keep functioning.  That leads to questions about stand ability.  His suggestion - push/pull that stalk, to see how long it can stand before the combine needs to arrive.

Karen Nielsen, organization director for the Sheep Dairy Association of Wisconsin shares some of the unique qualities of sheep milk and details about the industry.  Even though the industry is small, producers of dairy sheep are wide spread across the state of Wisconsin.  Most of these sheep dairies ship their milk to be processed into cheese at multiple processors around the state.

Wisconsin is the nation's leader in dairy production, both when it comes to cows and goats. One less common, but still important piece to Wisconsin's dairy industry is dairy sheep.  Sheep milk products are gaining popularity with consumers. Hygiene products made with sheep's milk are also becoming increasingly popular, especially for people with sensitive skin. Tammy and Brian Michielson, owners of Maple Hill Farm of Ladysmith, Wisconsin have expanded their business into creating a wide variety of these products. They sell homemade soaps, lotions, bath products and many other things, made exclusively from their milking sheep flock.  “There is somewhat of a difference in composition when comparing sheep and cow's milk.,” explains Michielson. “Most notably, sheep milk is a bit more concentrated and higher in nutrient density, therefore giving it an advantage when it comes to processing. It takes less amount of milk to make the same amount of product.”

The Farm and Industry Short Course was a long time program held on the UW-Madison campus. Short Course was a 2 year program that prepared students who wanted to work in production agriculture. Due to recent changes, the program is now being offered on the UW-River Falls campus. While the location has changed, the program will still remain rooted in tradition and UW-Madison will maintain involvement with the program. Heather Gayton is the Outreach Program Manager for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences which is a new position. Part of her work in this role will be supporting the revamped short course program. She shares what changes are ahead, how Madison will be supporting the program, and other outreach efforts she is undertaking through her role.

Nobody wants to get the phone call that there was a farm accident. We assume the worst. And rightly so as farming is one of the most dangerous occupations. That’s why we're celebrating Farm Safety Week ahead of a busy harvest season. No matter the severity of a farm accident, financial stress also becomes a factor. Angela Bunker is a loss control specialist with American Family Insurance. She is the eyes and ears for underwriters. She says farm accidents can grow up to 10 times higher than the initial cost of the accident through "soft costs." She also walks us through the easy safety measures anyone can take to prevent an expensive accident.

Dr. Mark Markel has announced that effective summer of 2024, he will be stepping down as Dean of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. Markel has held the position for 11 years.  He's been on a faculty member within the school for 33 years.  Markel visits with Pam Jahnke about his decision, and a new opportunity he'll be undertaking with the AO Foundation. Currently the UW School of Veterinary Medicine is concluding a major expansion in their teaching and research facilities on campus. Markel was instrumental in beginning that process, including overseeing a massive public information campaign and fund raising effort.

Jill Welke speaks with Andrew Brandt from the U.S. Grains Council about world demand and grain movement.  U.S. Grains Council coordinates outreach efforts to users in 10 different locations around the world.  He explains their approach to Jill. Wisconsin farmers are always trying new practices when it comes to nutrient management.  Dan Truttmann is a Green County dairy producer that's been composting his manure since about 2012.  He talks with Pam Jahnke about his observations, and what benefits his farm has seen by composting.  He was part of a Demo Dane group of farmers sharing their experiences. Milk production in the U.S. was down just slightly in August, but some states really suffered a setback.  Pam Jahnke recaps milk production state by state. John Hineberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, recaps the fallout from last weeks World Ag Supply Demand Estimates (WASDE).  This is traditionally the time we see seasonal lows for corn and beans, while crude keeps cruising higher.

It's the third year Wisconsin has put the spotlight on Agriculture Tourism, and the diversity building in the state.  Sheila Everhart is the executive director of WATA (WI Ag Tourism Association).  The official dates for WI Ag Tourism Week is Sept. 21-Oct. 2. Everhart tells Pam Jahnke that nationally, the agricultural segment of the tourism industry tripled from $202 million in 2002 to $949 million in 2017, an increase of nearly 370%, according to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture report. This steady increase is part of a large global trend.

Farm transition planning is a very important conversation that must eventually take place for farm families. Transitioning farms is important to ensuring that we can continue to have farmers in agriculture here in Wisconsin. Mark Schmitz works for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as a Financial Consultant and Farm Transition Specialist. His specialty is working with farm families who are looking to pass their farm to either the next generation or a new farmer who is looking to get into agriculture. He shares more about this important work and the value of preserving relationships through this process.

Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, recently took over the chair of the Wisconsin Ag Export Council.  This group is focused on leveraging state funded grants to increase Wisconsin's agribusiness on the global scene. Vincent tells Pam Jahnke that the energy this effort has generated in just the past 15 months is incredible.  He explains how state grants have allowed trade missions to visit Wisconsin agribusinesses, and how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin will be capturing national spotlight during the World Dairy Summit in Chicago.

UW Sheep Unit Research Program Manager Todd Taylor has a smile on his face discussing plans for this coming year. He recently dispersed a group of ewes to replenish the herd with new genetics after an on-going research project was completed. World Dairy Expo is coming, and while it's an economic driver for Dane County and the state of Wisconsin, it's also a reunion.  Stephanie Hoff visits with Brian Voegli whose family helped start the event more than 50 years ago. The WI State Senate has made some changes to the state's Farmland Preservation Program.  Pam Jahnke reports on the two main details that were adjusting involving tax credits and contract duration. A Dodge County farm is celebrating 100 years in the same family.  Nate Zimdars talks with Bill Naas, family member of Bill Jean Farms.   They had a rich history of showing dairy cattle and exporting cattle and embryos overseas. 

Ireland is known for its sheep and wool industries, with good reason.  Bob Bosold talks with Jamesy McCloy, Irish shepherd, about his flock, his stock dogs and the amazing pasture that keeps Ireland green. This is National Farm Safety and Health week. Charitee Seebecker visited with Mary Bauer from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) about why farms and agribusinesses need to focus on safety everyday - not just this week. If you have ever had the urge to run for office, getting started can be a challenge.  Now the WI Farm Bureau Federation's working on providing a little guidance to future politicians.  Nate Zimdars finds out about the course with Jason Mugnaini, WFBF Executive Director of Governmental Relations.

It’s National Farm Safety and Health Week. There are a lot of different aspects included when it comes to safety. Mary Bauer, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist, notes one of the trends they’re seeing when it comes to farm safety is actually based on cultural differences and language barriers.  “OSHA has noted a trend in agriculture where more workers are being brought in from outside, particularly foreign-born workers,” explains Bauer. “This has led to communication barriers and cultural differences that can lead to workplace hazards and injuries. To address this, farmers are being advised to transition from a family model to a more employee-based business.” One of the main challenges in training foreign-born workers is the language barrier. Bauer says literacy programs are available to assist with this, and simple gestures like learning to say "good morning" or "thank you" in their language can go a long way towards acceptance. In addition to language, hands-on learning is recommended to help workers understand the tasks and expectations better.

The transportation industry has been struggling to find drivers for years. This lack of drivers is one of the main reasons that supply chain issues are continuing. Conversations on how to change this have included increasing pay and reevaluating how those interested in driving can earn their Commercial Drivers License, or CDL.  Nick Lowe shares how the education and certification process has changed in his over 20 years since receiving his own CDL. 

"Come by!" "Lie down!" "That'll do!" are some of the phrases you'll hear during a stock dog trial. Lori Perry and her dog Ivy compete throughout the U.S. in stock dog trials as well as compete at the national finals. However it’s not all fun and games. It takes a lot of patience to train a stock dog.  “We start training our dogs at around six months and are ready to compete at around age two or three,” explains Perry. “It's not just the dog that needs training, but also the handler.”

Forage availability – it's probably the biggest conversation happening between dairy nutritionist Henry Holdorf and the dairy farmers he works with. Holdorf is with Purina Animal Nutrition covering a good amount of terrain in Wisconsin. His team covers the northwest, southwest and southeast portions of the state. He reminds us of the nutritional considerations to make if you’re harvesting corn silage early, such as fermentation time and starch quantities. Holdorf says drone technology and cow tracking technology has made it easier to scrutinize feed AND your cattle. This is a year where thinning the herd is a viable option. He recommends you work closely with your nutritionist when you look at options to stretch your feed supply through the winter months.    

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau will be launching their 1st Annual Campaign School on October 11th and 12th. This training is designed for anyone interested in running for local and state office on campaign basics with an agricultural/rural focus. Farm Bureau's Executive Director of Governmental Relations Jason Mugniaini speaks about what the Campaign School will offer and his hopes that this will turn into a premier training event for political candidates in Wisconsin. 

Sustainability – it’s a big word in agriculture, in food, in advertising, you name it. But depending on who you ask, it has a different definition. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, is presenting the Sustainable Leadership Seminar Series. The series of five seminars will explore leadership and sustainability in environmental, social and economic spaces. The first one starts tomorrow - Sep. 15. All sessions will be at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc. Sessions will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by a presentation from 8-9 a.m. Rachel Gerbitz, director of sustainable communications and partnerships with Farm Bureau, has the details.

Harvest season is starting in Wisconsin, which means that there will be lots of moving equipment on roadways across the state. It's important to be mindful of our farmers working long hours in the field and how we can stay safe on roads and at railways. Wisconsin's agricultural ambassador, Alice in Dairyland, is traveling across the state to speak about the importance of staying safe. Ashley Hagenow is currently serving in the role of Alice and speaks about her time so far serving as Alice and staying safe in the month of September.

Elevated input costs remain a top concern for agriculture producers, because it tightens up profit margins. One of the key input costs during fall harvest -- the price of fuel. Patrick De Hann is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a technology company that tracks prices at gas stations across the country. He says the price of diesel is a gloomy forecast – prices see upward pressure as temperatures cool and heating oil is needed for home furnaces. Refineries are also slowing down for maintenance this time of year. When it comes to filling up your car – those prices will look better after this weekend, when retailers make the switch to winter gasoline. 

There's a new face at the WI Farm Bureau Federation's headquarters in Madison.  Brad Uken has joined the staff as the new chief administrative officer.  Uken's no stranger to Farm Bureau though, as Stephanie Hoff found out in her first conversation with the transplant from Illinois. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group speaks with Pam Jahnke about a big inventory reduction sale coming up for a John Deere dealership in Wisconsin.  Paid for by the Steffes Group. The four finalists for the 2023 Leopold Conservation award have been announced and Pam Jahnke presents some of the details. It's all about details when it comes to reforming the Federal Milk Marketing Orders.  Nate Zimdars catches up with Jeff Lyons, General Manager of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, headquartered in Madison.  Lyons had just wrapped up testifying before USDA officials in Carmel, Indiana during the third week of the hearing.  He explains the protocol for accepting suggestions, and how he feels the process is going.

There are some skilled professionals that agriculture depends on who are thinning in population.  One such group - sheep/goat shearers.  Joe Huber has been shearing sheep and goats for years.  He visits with Nate Zimdars about the state of the industry currently, and what he sees for the near future. U.S. Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack, made a stop in Wisconsin yesterday to celebrate the first anniversary of "The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program".  Vilsack tells Stephanie Hoff about agriculture's unique opportunity and advantage in helping save the planet by working toward being the first carbon neutral industry. Bryce Windecker from EverAg steps in with Pam Jahnke to focus on all things dairy.  He's keeping an eye on cheese prices and world demand overall of dairy.  Windecker says as long as that Asian export market remains soft, product could start stacking up even with the holiday buying pattern coming up.

Climate Smart. Have you heard of it? It's is a key theme for this administration's U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the money for climate smart is starting to roll in. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Wisconsin today to celebrate one year of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. These are 141 projects that got $3 billion in funding. Almost all of those projects are starting now – the ink is on the contracts and checks are getting sent out. Several groups in Wisconsin are recipients. The requirements for this money are that it has to be used in production agriculture or forestry. The projects have to A) fight against climate change and B) promote rural prosperity. In Waukesha, Vilsack commemorates the progress made so far.

Tom Olson of Fevolden Farm Alpacas in Cottage Grove can be found at most festivals featuring animal fibers. He and his family raise alpacas for fiber and turn those fibers into products for crafts or fashion. They have been in the business for over 20 years and work with different co-ops and suppliers to keep up with demand. He says alpaca fiber is a sought out alternative to sheep's wool because it is easier to clean and less irritating to the skin for some folks.  

Hearings are currently taking place in Carmel, Indiana regarding revisions to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Revisions will affect how milk and other dairy products are priced. These hearings have taken place for several week and will continue into October. Jeff Lyon, the General Manager of Farm First Dairy Cooperative was in Caramel testifying in front of the committee. He shares what he’s seeing and feeling at the hearings. 

Whether or not to harvest corn for grain or silage is the most common question reaching Jenny Brown's desk this time of year. Brown is a multi-peril specialist with Rural Mutual Insurance working with farmers on acres across Wisconsin. She says it's still a bit early, but she expects claims to be up this year due to drought and storm damage. She also anticipates more growers will sign up for crop insurance this spring. Brown reminds farmers to keep their insurance agent in the loop when making harvest decisions.

Firefighters and EMS are often trained to handle a wide range of emergencies, including high frequency, low risk incidents such as roadside collisions and carbon monoxide alarms. However, farming emergencies pose a unique set of challenges due to their low frequency and high risk nature, which can be unpredictable and hazardous for both the victim and emergency responders.To better prepare for these situations, firefighters require extensive training and resources that are specific to the farming environment. One program that prepares firefighters for agricultural emergencies is the Agriculture Rescue Training. The training is being held October 20-21 in Marshfield. “This training covers the most common types of farm-related incidents such as tractor rollovers, grain bin rescues, and large animal technical rescues,” explains Kyle Koshalek, project manager at the National Farm Medicine Center.

UW Sheep Unit Research Program Manager Todd Taylor has a smile on his face discussing plans for this coming year. He recently dispersed a group of ewes to replenish the herd with new genetics after an on-going research project was completed. Taylor is welcoming new and ongoing research projects into the barn and hopes to encourage more student engagement.  “The sheep unit is designed to support research, extension and teaching,” says Taylor. “Research has been ramping up at the farm over the last few years, with a focus on epigenetics.” The unit is currently working on a project that explores how changing the amino acids in a sheep's diet affects their DNA code and ultimately their performance. Taylor says they are finishing up a five-year trial and are now beginning a new one to continue testing this theory.

The harvest is approaching quickly and safety must be key.  Jill Welke visits with Laura Siegal, Health Communications Officer with AgriSafe Network about resources they make available to help make the harvest safe. Multiple generations are excited to be processing and preserving all the bounty from their gardens, but beware of food poisoning possibilities.  Stephanie Hoff catches up with Heather Quackenboss, UW-Extension Home Economist in LaCrosse County, about risky practices that can make people sick. John Hineberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, breaks down the upcoming USDA World Ag Supply Report. Although harvest has begun in some areas, the word "variability" resonates in almost every conversation he's having on crop volume.

Dairying in Ireland is definitely different that what we have in Wisconsin.  Bob Bosold finds out about the market, weather and consumer trends from Lorcan McCabe, northern Ireland producer. WI sheep producers are seeing an uptick on activity for their animals.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Eric Meudt, vice president of WI Sheep Breeders Cooperative, about growth the industry's experiencing especially for animals to graze under solar farms. Wisconsin has a laser focus on ag exports.  Chad Vincent is CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin as well as the current chair of the WI Ag Export Advisory Council.  Vincent visits with Pam Jahnke about the incredible opportunities that have presented themselves in just the first 15 months of the council's existence.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

As long at there are sheep, there is a need for people to shear those sheep. Joe Huber of Huber Sheep Shearing has been shearing sheep for decades. He travels all across Wisconsin shearing for farmers with flocks of various sizes. Huber shares what goes into shearing sheep and how it has changed over time. 

Sheep demand is remaining steady compared to past years. That’s according to Eric Meudt, Vice President of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders cooperative. He says the holidays and ethnic markets are two key driving factors. “While carcasses have not seen much change, lamb demand has increased, particularly in the ethnic markets,” says Meudt. “Tailgating and holidays affect demand seasonally, with football season typically seeing a rise in beef and pork consumption, and the spring and summer being popular for ethnic holidays.” The industry is working to even out the supply year-round, with a focus on minimizing high input costs. Consumer demand for lamb in the off season means producers are changing things up. Many are now working to meet that spring market lamb demand by lambing in the fall. Right now, more than three-quarters of lambs are born in spring.

This year, some of Wisconsin’s influential agriculture organizations experienced turnover within leadership roles. This has included the state’s largest farm organization, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. We meet one of Farm Bureau’s new faces, Chief Administrative Officer Bradley Uken. He started back in February, and there’s been several new appointments since then at their offices in Middleton. He addresses both the challenges and opportunities with having a handful of new people leading the organization in various roles. But we start off with his initial reactions to Wisconsin agriculture and how it compares to his home state of Illinois.

Just in time for fall agritourism, there’s a new business in Cottage Grove bringing a unique take on agriculture recreation. This will be a modern, agritourism experience that opens to the public on Sep. 15. The Cottage Grove experience is an extension of Warm Belly Farm, which is located in Fort Atkinson. Erin Warner, horticulturist at Warm Belly Farm, describes the work they put in to bring this all together in less than a year’s time. The new agritourism destination, named The Fall Festival, will run Friday to Sunday each week from Sept. 15 through Oct. 29. It includes all of your favorite fall crops from pumpkins to corn mazes to sunflowers.

There is a lot that goes into bringing grain from the field to the consumer. An important part of that process is the role that local grain elevators play. They are the ones that take in the grain before shipping it to other facilities that will further process it. Dylan Beaver is the Grain Merchandising and Origination Manager for Alcivia. He discusses what they do on their end with storing and shipping out grain as well as some of the challenges they experience shipping out that grain through rail. 

For years we have been experiencing supply chain issues. Much of it is a result of Covid and the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, there are still issues getting goods from suppliers to consumers. Nick Lowe has been driving truck locally for over 20 years, mostly for agriculture businesses. Lowe shares some of the changes he has witnessed over his years behind the wheel and what the most pressing issues facing the trucking industry right now are. 

For a combined total of 100 years, a family business has been hauling milk all over Wisconsin. The business is now making its final rounds. Im charitee seebecker with the midwest farm report. Hauling milk has been a lifelong career for Tom Schwartz who started in 1974, just two months after graduating high school. His father asked him if he wanted to haul milk, and that was the beginning of his journey.  “I can still remember the first farm I picked up, which was also the last farm I picked up,” says Schwartz. “It's an everyday thing and the farmers are your second family." The milk industry has changed a lot over the years, with farms getting bigger and bigger. When he first started, Schwartz picked up 20 farms a day and 38,000 pounds of milk. Now at the time of his retirement, he was hauling 150,000 pounds of milk for 15 farms.

World Dairy Summit: The World Dairy Summit is being held in Chicago, Illinois, and brings together more than 1000 participants from dozens of countries.  This is the first time in the U.S since 1993, providing the U.S. dairy industry a prime opportunity to showcase the nation’s excellent dairy farming and manufacturing practices, while allowing guests to sample high-quality American dairy products. The Oct. 16-20 program will feature global and industry leaders, dairy experts, scientists, technical specialists, farmers and more, focusing on the most significant issues facing the global dairy sector today and tomorrow. We have several team members involved in the planning and we will be showcasing Wisconsin dairy products throughout the summit as well as working with key partners (DATCP) to include Wisconsin dairy within their tradeshow booths. Wisconsin is also included as one of 4 state tours. During the tour we will highlight Wisconsin’s multi-generational dairy farmers and processors working together to create innovative and nutritious foods, engineering new technology, and enhancing sustainability efforts. (Tour stops include Larsen Acres and Hinchley Farms, Klondike Cheese, ABS Global and CDR - topped off with an evening event). Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin visits with Pam Jahnke about the relationships and revenue that can come from this type of interaction.

This year's drought meant low disease pressure for Wisconsin's fruit crops, but it doesn't mean no disease pressure. UW-Madison Professor and Extension Fruit Crop Pathologist Leslie Holland made field calls to a few growers to diagnose powdery mildew in grapes and fire blight in apples. Most of the calls she got this summer are questioning if browning trees or vines are due to disease or drought. She says if you didn't have irrigation, you suffered. What does this mean for next year? Since less pathogens are overwintering, it could mean a slow start for disease next year.

As the harvest starts to unfold, state ag officials are reminding farmers and their families about available resources for their physical, mental and financial health.  Karen Endres from the Farmer Wellness Program administered through the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection, talks to Nate Zimdars about some of the elements that farmers might have missed. With that pending harvest, implement dealers are trying to get organized and coordinated for quick-turn service whether it's at the counter or in the field.  Charitee Seebecker visits with Caleb Latham, service manager at a local John Deere dealership, about how his team prepares and how they work through supply chain disruptions. Look at the cows move!!  Zach Bowers with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to recap the aggressive cattle movement we've been seeing in the southwest and west dairy sectors.  Bower says that milk production has been lackluster at best, due to the heat.  Now, with schools back in session - football underway and holiday buying on the horizon, it begs the question - will we have enough dairy cattle to keep the flow?

With the enhanced prices that producers have been seeing in the beef complex, dairy producers have started to lean in by cross their dairy breed cows with beef bulls.  That dairy X beef has been filling a void in the marketplace left by "native" beef breeds that were impacted by droughts and severe weather.  What do retailers think of that beef? Jessica Lancaster is the Director of Product Quality Research for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).  They just concluded a major research project that not only measure retail reaction to dairy X beef, but also quantified the yield offered by those dairy X beef carcasses. Ribeye size - beef color - just a few of the subtle details that showed up in their report.  Listen in as she talks with Pam Jahnke