The Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee will likely begin this Legislative session with what it knows works – expanding ag exports, promoting dairy and investing in meat processing, for example. This is the word from Sen. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, who chairs the committee. She also talks about the makeup of the committee and what's been brought to their attention by ag groups.

The Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee will likely begin this Legislative session with what it knows works – expanding ag exports, promoting dairy and investing in meat processing, for example. This is the word from Sen. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, who chairs the committee. She also talks about the makeup of the committee and what's been brought to their attention by ag groups.

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!

Senate Ag Committee To Focus On What Works

Have you ever wondered how plants would grow when they’re not on Earth? In space, growing plants could be important for food, oxygen and even astronauts' psychological well-being – but growing anything beyond Earth is more difficult than it might seem.

Science departments in Wisconsin have been sending tomatoes, lettuce and cotton into orbit for a few years now. And UW-Madison Professor and botanist Simon Gilroy says there's plans to use plants to sustain astronauts on long-term missions. But before that, scientists need to know how to do space farming.

Gilroy's laboratory focuses on how plants sense and respond to their environment and how these signals regulate plant development. What better way to test that out than by removing gravity, Gilroy says. The space station allows scientists to manipulate plants in ways that can't be done on Earth. His lab looks at these reactions at the cellular level.

“Most of our research is funded through NASA,” he explains. “Most of our research team is made up of students.”

Have you ever wondered how plants would grow when they’re not on Earth? In space, growing plants could be important for food, oxygen and even astronauts' psychological well-being – but growing anything beyond Earth is more difficult than it might seem.
Science departments in Wisconsin have been sending tomatoes, lettuce and cotton into orbit for a few years now. And UW-Madison Professor and botanist Simon Gilroy says there's plans to use plants to sustain astronauts on long-term missions. But before that, scientists need to know how to do space farming.
Gilroy's laboratory focuses on how plants sense and respond to their environment and how these signals regulate plant development. What better way to test that out than by removing gravity, Gilroy says. The space station allows scientists to manipulate plants in ways that can't be done on Earth. His lab looks at these reactions at the cellular level.
“Most of our research is funded through NASA,” he explains. “Most of our research team is made up of students.”

Growing Plants in Zero Gravity

Tastier salad greens and heat-resistant cattle. These are products of genetic engineering that can help our food system be more efficient and sustainable, says Beth Ellikidis, vice president of agriculture and environment with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents about 1,000 stakeholders in genetic engineering, including companies, states, and colleges that dabble in everything from pharmaceuticals to seeds. She says the exact science of GE can bring a lot of value to the food sector. Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs, says the benefits aren't always embraced by U.S. trade partners. Mexico, for example, is turning away from biotech corn. The EU has also been hesitant. However, Finnerty sees optimism ahead.

Tastier salad greens and heat-resistant cattle. These are products of genetic engineering that can help our food system be more efficient and sustainable, says Beth Ellikidis, vice president of agriculture and environment with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. BIO represents about 1,000 stakeholders in genetic engineering, including companies, states, and colleges that dabble in everything from pharmaceuticals to seeds. She says the exact science of GE can bring a lot of value to the food sector. Lynn Finnerty, senior director of public affairs, says the benefits aren't always embraced by U.S. trade partners. Mexico, for example, is turning away from biotech corn. The EU has also been hesitant. However, Finnerty sees optimism ahead.

Endless Opportunities With Biotech -- Need Trade Partners To Agree

Wisconsin county fairs may look vibrant from the outside, but they're struggling to find carnivals for entertainment.  Jayke Buttke, Executive Director of the WI Fair Association says that between 2016-2023 50% of the carnival companies closed.  Now they're working on legislation to try and help that segment of entertainment find the employees they need.  Jill Welke visits with Buttke.

Labor's a big issue for the Natural Resource and Conservation Service too.  Terry Cosby, Chief NRCS Director, tells us that there's just not enough graduates for available jobs.  Cosby says the shortage is compounded by applicants not having farm experience.

WI farmers made good progress on spring planting, and 2026 is the year of the Farm Woman.  David Geiger talks to USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small about the international designation.

John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend is encouraging crop producers to get busy with risk management this week.  Heinberg says with flooding in Brazil, bugs in Argentina and more rain in the U.S. forecast, Friday's first look at expected planted acreage is creating volatility.

Wisconsin county fairs may look vibrant from the outside, but they're struggling to find carnivals for entertainment.  Jayke Buttke, Executive Director of the WI Fair Association says that between 2016-2023 50% of the carnival companies closed.  Now they're working on legislation to try and help that segment of entertainment find the employees they need.  Jill Welke visits with Buttke.
Labor's a big issue for the Natural Resource and Conservation Service too.  Terry Cosby, Chief NRCS Director, tells us that there's just not enough graduates for available jobs.  Cosby says the shortage is compounded by applicants not having farm experience. WI farmers made good progress on spring planting, and 2026 is the year of the Farm Woman.  David Geiger talks to USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small about the international designation. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend is encouraging crop producers to get busy with risk management this week.  Heinberg says with flooding in Brazil, bugs in Argentina and more rain in the U.S. forecast, Friday's first look at expected planted acreage is creating volatility.

Senate Ag Committee To Focus On What Works

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