A drive for perfection fueled by hard work and a dedication to the craft has kept Smith Acres strong. Frank Smith of Vernon County now has 30 head of beef cattle. He tells us how the operation began over 100 years ago. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years. 

A drive for perfection fueled by hard work and a dedication to the craft has kept Smith Acres strong. Frank Smith of Vernon County now has 30 head of beef cattle. He tells us how the operation began over 100 years ago. With the help of Compeer Financial, the Mid-West Farm Report is recognizing farms that have been with families for over 100 years.&nbsp;

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!

Smith Acres - Vernon County Century Farm

There's more than meets the eye at June Dairy Celebrations around Wisconsin.  Helping to guide those activities and educational opportunities are farm families all across the state and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Pam Jahnke visits with Dan Hinz of Pickett.  Hinz is a fourth generation dairy operator that represents other dairy farms in Outagamie and Winnebago counties.  Hinz believes that "America's Dairyland" isn't just a phrase, it's something that's been built for generations. He's proud to help people understand that today's dairy operations are family-rooted: 99% of farms are family-owned with multi-generational legacy and first-generation passion.

Sharing the committment to care that dairy operators have is another reason Hinz enjoys June Dairy Month.  Telling the story of the deep care for cows farms have, and the professionals they enlist to help like nutritionists, for hands-on daily care.  The care doesn't end there.

Stewardship of land: protecting soil and water for future generations and working hard to blend tradition with the latest innovation makes dairy a dynamic industry.  A perfect example of that is the Master Cheesemaker program unique to Wisconsin.  ONLY Switzerland has another Master Cheesemaker program. Those cheesemakers are also a part of the multi-generational dairy story shared through June Dairy events.  Remember, 99% of the cheese proudly produced in Wisconsin ends up being consumed beyond our state borders, and well into the global marketplace.

As Dan Hinz put it, “Some places make dairy,  Wisconsin was Born to Dairy.”

To find all the June Dairy Celebrations happening across the state, go to June Dairy Month on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin website and follow all the stories and shares on social media too!

There's more than meets the eye at <a href="https://www.wisconsindairy.org/june-dairy-month/Dairy-Breakfasts">June Dairy Celebrations</a> around Wisconsin.&nbsp; Helping to guide those activities and educational opportunities are farm families all across the state and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Pam Jahnke visits with Dan Hinz of Pickett.&nbsp; Hinz is a fourth generation dairy operator that represents other dairy farms in Outagamie and Winnebago counties.&nbsp; Hinz believes that "America's Dairyland" isn't just a phrase, it's something that's been built for generations. He's proud to help people understand that today's dairy operations are family-rooted: 99% of farms are family-owned with multi-generational legacy and first-generation passion.
Sharing the committment to care that dairy operators have is another reason Hinz enjoys <a href="https://www.wisconsindairy.org/june-dairy-month/Dairy-Breakfasts">June Dairy Month.</a>&nbsp; Telling the story of the deep care for cows farms have, and the professionals they enlist to help like nutritionists, for hands-on daily care.&nbsp; The care doesn't end there.
Stewardship of land: protecting soil and water for future generations and working hard to blend tradition with the latest innovation makes dairy a dynamic industry.&nbsp; A perfect example of that is the Master Cheesemaker program unique to Wisconsin.&nbsp; ONLY Switzerland has another Master Cheesemaker program. Those cheesemakers are also a part of the multi-generational dairy story shared through <a href="https://www.wisconsindairy.org/june-dairy-month/Dairy-Breakfasts">June Dairy events</a>.&nbsp; Remember, 99% of the cheese proudly produced in Wisconsin ends up being consumed beyond our state borders, and well into the global marketplace.
As Dan Hinz put it, &ldquo;Some places make dairy,&nbsp; Wisconsin was Born to Dairy.&rdquo;
To find all the June Dairy Celebrations happening across the state, go to <a href="https://www.wisconsindairy.org/june-dairy-month/Dairy-Breakfasts">June Dairy Month</a> on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin website and follow all the stories and shares on social media too!

Get Ready For June Dairy Month - Dan Hinz - DFW Board of Director Member

Wisconsin farmers are dealing with a new pest familiar to gardeners.  Slugs!  Dane Elmquist tells Stephanie Hoff that slugs are becoming a bigger field pest because of conservation practices.  Elmquist is the conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension.  Slugs  thrive in no-till and cover crop systems because the heavy crop residue and lack of soil disturbance create a cool, moist microclimate where populations can build up year over year. While they feed on both corn and soybeans, slugs pose a greater economic threat to soybeans; corn is generally more resilient and can often outgrow the damage. Crops are most at risk early in the season as seedlings, particularly when a mild winter is followed by a wet spring that slows down initial plant growth. Recent heavy infestations have been reported in Northeast Wisconsin, specifically within the Fox-Wolf watershed area near Green Bay. To combat the lack of data on slug populations in Wisconsin, researchers launched SlugNet, a monitoring project where volunteers use simple roofing shingles as "traps" to track and report slug activity across the state. Be a part of it by searching SlugNet online! 


Frosty start to our Thursday morning, and that trends going to continue.  Stu Muck, ag weatherman, says overnight frost/freeze warnings will persist into the weekend.

No go on the 2026 Farm Bill yesterday.  Between worries about SNAP budget constraints and E-15 additions, it's headed back to the House Rules Committee for negotiation.  Pam Jahnke shares comments from Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

Nonfat dry milk is at 10 year highs in pricing.  Why?  Collin Aardema, dairy advisor for EverAg, explains that nonfat dry milk is an ideal ingredient in a lot of foods - especially those high in protein. What's different about this rally he says - China's missing.

Wisconsin farmers are dealing with a new pest familiar to gardeners.&nbsp; Slugs!&nbsp; Dane Elmquist tells Stephanie Hoff that slugs are becoming a bigger field pest because of conservation practices.&nbsp; Elmquist is the conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension.&nbsp;&nbsp;Slugs&nbsp; thrive in no-till and cover crop systems because the heavy crop residue and lack of soil disturbance create a cool, moist microclimate where populations can build up year over year. While they feed on both corn and soybeans, slugs pose a greater economic threat to soybeans; corn is generally more resilient and can often outgrow the damage. Crops are most at risk early in the season as seedlings, particularly when a mild winter is followed by a wet spring that slows down initial plant growth. Recent heavy infestations have been reported in Northeast Wisconsin, specifically within the Fox-Wolf watershed area near Green Bay. To combat the lack of data on slug populations in Wisconsin, researchers launched SlugNet, a monitoring project where volunteers use simple roofing shingles as "traps" to track and report slug activity across the state. Be a part of it by searching SlugNet online!&nbsp;
 Frosty start to our Thursday morning, and that trends going to continue.&nbsp; Stu Muck, ag weatherman, says overnight frost/freeze warnings will persist into the weekend.
No go on the 2026 Farm Bill yesterday.&nbsp; Between worries about SNAP budget constraints and E-15 additions, it's headed back to the House Rules Committee for negotiation.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke shares comments from Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
Nonfat dry milk is at 10 year highs in pricing.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Collin Aardema, dairy advisor for EverAg, explains that nonfat dry milk is an ideal ingredient in a lot of foods - especially those high in protein. What's different about this rally he says - China's missing.

Slugs Become A New WI Farm Problem Plus Nonfat Milk Continues Climb - Aardema

It's the right time of the year to be focused on the bee population in Wisconsin.  Jill Welke catches up with Wisconsin's Honey Queen,  Emily Skala.  She explains the training she's gone through to make sure she's properly educating the general public about everything bees can do.  She says most people don't realize the different types of honey you can enjoy based just on what the bee is consuming!

Weather calms down a bit beginning today.  Stu Muck says that this next weather front should help farm fields dry out.

As Wyffels Hybrids celebrates its 80th anniversary as an independent, family-owned company, Regional Sales Manager Steve Quade joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss current spring planting progress in the region. We explore the latest digital tools available to farmers, including a GDU calculator and planting progress maps, designed to assist with critical hybrid and timing decisions. Additionally, Steve highlights the release of 16 new corn hybrids and the company's commitment to extensive research and on-farm trials for the 2026 season. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids.The Wisconsin State Fair has announced the 2026 Sporky and Drinkie finalists. Pam Jahnke highlights a few of the new offerings.


Graduation is right around the corner for college of ag students, but the job market might be a little dim.  Ben Jarboe takes the temperature of job demand with Tammy Jensen, President of AgriCareers Inc.  She says there's always a need for "farm kids" graduating with some hands-on skills.  She advises that you may need to adjust your expectations in the current job market.  Jensen says there's an emphasis on what you can bring to the business.  Sometimes that may mean being willing to take on multiple responsibilities.

It's the right time of the year to be focused on the bee population in Wisconsin.&nbsp; Jill Welke catches up with Wisconsin's Honey Queen,&nbsp; Emily Skala.&nbsp; She explains the training she's gone through to make sure she's properly educating the general public about everything bees can do.&nbsp; She says most people don't realize the different types of honey you can enjoy based just on what the bee is consuming!
Weather calms down a bit beginning today.&nbsp; Stu Muck says that this next weather front should help farm fields dry out.
As Wyffels Hybrids celebrates its 80th anniversary as an independent, family-owned company, Regional Sales Manager Steve Quade joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss current spring planting progress in the region. We explore the latest digital tools available to farmers, including a GDU calculator and planting progress maps, designed to assist with critical hybrid and timing decisions. Additionally, Steve highlights the release of 16 new corn hybrids and the company's commitment to extensive research and on-farm trials for the 2026 season. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids.The Wisconsin State Fair has announced the 2026 Sporky and Drinkie finalists. Pam Jahnke highlights a few of the new offerings.
 Graduation is right around the corner for college of ag students, but the job market might be a little dim.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe takes the temperature of job demand with&nbsp;Tammy Jensen,&nbsp;President of AgriCareers Inc.&nbsp; She says there's always a need for "farm kids" graduating with some hands-on skills.&nbsp; She advises that you may need to adjust your expectations in the current job market.&nbsp; Jensen says there's an emphasis on what you can bring to the business.&nbsp; Sometimes that may mean being&nbsp;willing to take on multiple responsibilities.

Smith Acres - Vernon County Century Farm

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