Stephanie Hoff visits with Jesse Wagner, a third-generation maple syrup producer from Inthewoods Sugarbush, to discuss the delicate "freeze-thaw" balance required for a perfect harvest. Jesse explains why snow in the woods is a producer's best friend and how he uses long-range forecasts to time his tapping in Manitowoc.

Stephanie Hoff visits with Jesse Wagner, a third-generation maple syrup producer from Inthewoods Sugarbush, to discuss the delicate "freeze-thaw" balance required for a perfect harvest. Jesse explains why snow in the woods is a producer's best friend and how he uses long-range forecasts to time his tapping in Manitowoc.

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!

The Science Of The Sugarbush

As traditional pesticides lose their effectiveness due to regulatory changes and increasing pest resistance, growers are searching for a new way forward. GreenLight Biosciences’ Jonathan Adamson tells Stephanie Hoff that RNA technology can control the pests that potato growers and other specialty crop farmers deal with regularly. Using RNA-based foliar pesticides, Greenlight Biosciences' products "send the wrong message" to invasive pests. In turn, these pests, like the Colorado potato beetle, will starve themselves.

As traditional pesticides lose their effectiveness due to regulatory changes and increasing pest resistance, growers are searching for a new way forward. GreenLight Biosciences&rsquo; Jonathan Adamson tells Stephanie Hoff that RNA technology can control the pests that potato growers and other specialty crop farmers deal with regularly. Using RNA-based foliar pesticides, Greenlight Biosciences' products "send the wrong message" to invasive pests. In turn, these pests, like the Colorado potato beetle, will starve themselves.

A New "Message" For Crop Protection

So you're happy to see your business in a rural community expanding, BUT, where will your new employees live?  For many rural communities it's not just about the cost or quality, it's about availability at all.  Stephanie Hoff finds out about how some communities are approaching the challenge.  John W. Miller, president and CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. says they're rethinking rural housing.  Miller says  Wisconsin is facing significant demographic shifts and a labor shortage that hits rural areas particularly hard. Workforce development fails without a three-legged stool: a willing business, a trained employee, and a place for that employee to live. Affordable housing is identified as the single biggest hurdle to attracting and retaining residents in rural Wisconsin. Private developers struggle to get commercial loans for small-scale, low-margin projects, making state support a necessary vessel. Communities have a strong emotional attachment to old schools, banks, and libraries, making them prime targets for redevelopment and a source of pride for the town. WEDC promotes "second-story housing" to keep downtowns vital and businesses supported by nearby foot traffic. Building downtown is often more efficient because the water, sewer, and road systems are already in place, but older buildings often have "hidden surprises" and code compliance issues that make them more expensive to renovate than building new. WEDC grants provide that final push to get the projects moving. Moving seniors into smaller, accessible downtown dwellings frees up larger family homes for the incoming workforce.

Winter weather advisories are back in our forecast.  Stu Muck says there is a good chance we'll see an accumulation of snow by the time we get midway through the weekend.

The third annual "Wisconsin Best Burger" contest is underway.  Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the WI Beef Council tells Pam Jahnke that she's already been fielding calls from people ready to offer up their favorites.  Meanwhile her staff's organizing 4 regional direct marketing workshops for producers that want to work directly with consumers.  All of the details on both events are found at beeftips.com.  Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock.

A Wisconsin farm equipment manufacturer is sharing mini versions of their real thing.  Troy Meyer, from Meyer Manufacturing, said they started making toy versions of their livestock equipment in 3-D printing.  Now they've moved to die-cast and he explains why they did it.

Friday is the next USDA milk production report and the market is ready for some big numbers.  Cody Koster, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.  While there's been a little uptick in cheese prices, it's been largely driven by this week's global dairy trade.  Koster says with the USDA report slated to be released on Friday after the close, Monday's open could be bloody red.  

So you're happy to see your business in a rural community expanding, BUT, where will your new employees live?&nbsp; For many rural communities it's not just about the cost or quality, it's about availability at all.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff finds out about how some&nbsp;communities are approaching the challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;John W. Miller, president and CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. says they're rethinking rural housing.&nbsp; Miller says&nbsp; Wisconsin is facing significant demographic shifts and a labor shortage that hits rural areas particularly hard. Workforce development fails without a three-legged stool: a willing business, a trained employee, and a place for that employee to live. Affordable housing is identified as the single biggest hurdle to attracting and retaining residents in rural Wisconsin. Private developers struggle to get commercial loans for small-scale, low-margin projects, making state support a necessary vessel. Communities have a strong emotional attachment to old schools, banks, and libraries, making them prime targets for redevelopment and a source of pride for the town. WEDC promotes "second-story housing" to keep downtowns vital and businesses supported by nearby foot traffic. Building downtown is often more efficient because the water, sewer, and road systems are already in place, but older buildings often have "hidden surprises" and code compliance issues that make them more expensive to renovate than building new. WEDC grants provide that final push to get the projects moving.&nbsp;Moving seniors into smaller, accessible downtown dwellings frees up larger family homes for the incoming workforce.
Winter weather advisories are back in our forecast.&nbsp; Stu Muck says there is a good chance we'll see an accumulation of snow by the time we get midway through the weekend.
The third annual "Wisconsin Best Burger" contest is underway.&nbsp; Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the WI Beef Council tells Pam Jahnke that she's already been fielding calls from people ready to offer up their favorites.&nbsp; Meanwhile her staff's organizing 4 regional direct marketing workshops for producers that want to work directly with consumers.&nbsp; All of the details on both events are found at beeftips.com.&nbsp; Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock.
A Wisconsin farm equipment manufacturer is sharing mini versions of their real thing.&nbsp; Troy Meyer, from Meyer Manufacturing, said they started making toy versions of their livestock equipment in 3-D printing.&nbsp; Now they've moved to die-cast and he explains why they did it.
Friday is the next USDA milk production report and the market is ready for some big numbers.&nbsp; Cody Koster, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.&nbsp; While there's been a little uptick in cheese prices, it's been largely driven by this week's global dairy trade.&nbsp; Koster says with the USDA report slated to be released on Friday after the close, Monday's open could be bloody red.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Creativity Helps In Rural Housing And Markets Brace For Big USDA Milk Report - Koster

Consumer demand for protein continues to fuel a lot of agricultural markets.  From beef to dairy - more protein is popping up on all kinds of labels.  That's carried over to the bison industry too.  Jill Welke finds out about how growers are dealing with the demand, and the lack of a skilled workforce to help harvest the animals.  Lee Graese from Northstar Bison in Haugen, WI shares his challenges.

Rain gauges are back in action across Wisconsin this morning, with some lightning along for the entertainment.  Stu Muck says those showers won't stick around though.  Sunshines back on the way later this morning.

Improving weather has farmers starting to move some of their equipment around in the shed and yard.  Maybe you've decided it's time to replace a piece or let go of something.  Steffes Group Auction is helping move those pieces with consignment auctions all across the U.S. and Canada.  Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that their ability to collect information piece by piece and feature it in their sales has led to great interest and super prices.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

The Wisconsin FFA Alumni is heading to Middleton for its annual convention Friday and Saturday.  Pam Jahnke highlights some of the auction items that will be presented, all  created by the state FFA officers.

Been there - done that.  It's a phrase that applies to Wisconsin's ginseng industry.  Will Hsu, president, Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises and Hsu Ginseng Farms, Wausau tells Stephanie Hoff about the market devastation the industry faced during the first Trump administration.  Now, with more tariffs back in play, Wisconsin's ginseng industry has become a little brittle.  He says they've turned to elements like agrotourism to try and fill the gaps they're missing in global trade.

Consumer demand for protein continues to fuel a lot of agricultural markets.&nbsp; From beef to dairy - more protein is popping up on all kinds of labels.&nbsp; That's carried over to the bison industry too.&nbsp; Jill Welke finds out about how growers are dealing with the demand, and the lack of a skilled workforce to help harvest the animals.&nbsp; Lee Graese from Northstar Bison in Haugen, WI shares his challenges. Rain gauges are back in action across Wisconsin this morning, with some lightning along for the entertainment.&nbsp; Stu Muck says those showers won't stick around though.&nbsp; Sunshines back on the way later this morning. Improving weather has farmers starting to move some of their equipment around in the shed and yard.&nbsp; Maybe you've decided it's time to replace a piece or let go of something.&nbsp; Steffes Group Auction is helping move those pieces with consignment auctions all across the U.S. and Canada.&nbsp; Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that their ability to collect information piece by piece and feature it in their sales has led to great interest and super prices.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group. The Wisconsin FFA Alumni is heading to Middleton for its annual convention Friday and Saturday.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke highlights some of the auction items that will be presented, all&nbsp; created by the state FFA officers. Been there - done that.&nbsp; It's a phrase that applies to Wisconsin's ginseng industry.&nbsp; Will Hsu,&nbsp;president, Hsu&rsquo;s Ginseng Enterprises and Hsu Ginseng Farms, Wausau tells Stephanie Hoff about the market devastation the industry faced during the first Trump administration.&nbsp; Now, with more tariffs back in play, Wisconsin's ginseng industry has become a little brittle.&nbsp; He says they've turned to elements like agrotourism to try and fill the gaps they're missing in global trade.

The Science Of The Sugarbush

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