Stephanie Hoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety & Inspection Service Administrator Justin Ransom explore the reorganization within the USDA aimed at decentralizing leadership and empowering rural meat processors. Ransom discusses the potential redrawing of "small" and "very small" business designations and how these changes could unlock new federal resources for local entrepreneurs. In addition, there are new overtime fee reductions for processors.

Stephanie Hoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety &amp; Inspection Service Administrator Justin Ransom explore the reorganization within the USDA aimed at decentralizing leadership and empowering rural meat processors. Ransom discusses the potential redrawing of "small" and "very small" business designations and how these changes could unlock new federal resources for local entrepreneurs. In addition, there are new overtime fee reductions for processors.

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!

USDA Shifts Focus To Field Leadership & Small Processors

Some Wisconsin farm workers are already active!  Stephanie Hoff finds out how the honeybee population has mobilized from Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, WI State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. During mid-to-late February, nearly every migratory commercial bee colony in the U.S. is located in California for almond pollination. Beyond the risk of "bee spills" (truck accidents), moving bees long distances can lead to hive suffocation or overheating due to improper ventilation. Placing bees in single-crop environments, like almond groves, can lead to nutritional deficiencies because the bees lack a diverse range of pollen and nectar. Much like wood ticks carry Lyme disease to humans, Varroa mites can vector over 20 different viruses to honeybees, including the virulent deformed wing virus. Exposure to pesticides—common near agriculture or golf courses—can lower a bee's immune system, making them more susceptible to viruses and mites. While small flowers are great, "big blooms" from trees and shrubs are particularly beneficial for honeybees because they provide a large amount of resources in one location. 

Wisconsin weather woes continue with more rain in the forecast, and cooling temperatures.  Stu Muck explains that there's even a chance of snow for the weekend in some areas of the state.

Gardeners are just as frustrated as farmers about the weather delay's we're working through.  Kiley Allan talks with Scott Trudell who staffs the Plant Desk for The Bruce Company. While spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are hardy enough to survive fluctuating temperatures, deciduous shrubs (such as lilacs and crab apples) are more vulnerable. If temperatures drop below the mid-20s, these should be covered with blankets or row covers to prevent damage.  Trudell says greenhouse inventory is arriving earlier than usual this year, featuring cold-tolerant flowers like pansies, sweet alyssum, and the increasingly popular hellebores.

Be patient.  That's the advice Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist is sharing with farmers.  Conley tells Pam Jahnke that with the high input costs operators are facing this year, the last thing you'll want to do is "mud in" the crop.

Some Wisconsin farm workers are already active!&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff finds out how the honeybee population has mobilized from Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, WI State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. During mid-to-late February, nearly every migratory commercial bee colony in the U.S. is located in California for almond pollination. Beyond the risk of "bee spills" (truck accidents), moving bees long distances can lead to hive suffocation or overheating due to improper ventilation. Placing bees in single-crop environments, like almond groves, can lead to nutritional deficiencies because the bees lack a diverse range of pollen and nectar. Much like wood ticks carry Lyme disease to humans, Varroa mites can vector over 20 different viruses to honeybees, including the virulent deformed wing virus. Exposure to pesticides&mdash;common near agriculture or golf courses&mdash;can lower a bee's immune system, making them more susceptible to viruses and mites. While small flowers are great, "big blooms" from trees and shrubs are particularly beneficial for honeybees because they provide a large amount of resources in one location.&nbsp;
Wisconsin weather woes continue with more rain in the forecast, and cooling temperatures.&nbsp; Stu Muck explains that there's even a chance of snow for the weekend in some areas of the state.
Gardeners are just as frustrated as farmers about the weather delay's we're working through.&nbsp; Kiley Allan talks with Scott Trudell who staffs the Plant Desk for The Bruce Company. While spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are hardy enough to survive fluctuating temperatures, deciduous shrubs (such as lilacs and crab apples) are more vulnerable. If temperatures drop below the mid-20s, these should be covered with blankets or row covers to prevent damage.&nbsp; Trudell says greenhouse inventory is arriving earlier than usual this year, featuring cold-tolerant flowers like pansies, sweet alyssum, and the increasingly popular hellebores.
Be patient.&nbsp; That's the advice Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist is sharing with farmers.&nbsp; Conley tells Pam Jahnke that with the high input costs operators are facing this year, the last thing you'll want to do is "mud in" the crop.

One Farm Worker Is Already Busy Plus Gardeners Are Flush With Questions

There may not be any seed in the ground (yet), but Wisconsin is looking at potentially more acres for soybeans this year!

Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist says it's a good time to consider entering the 2026 WI Soybean Marketing Board's Yield Contest.  Planning where you want to plant your contest field, the variety you select, seed treatment, fertilizer - are all in the works.  That's ideal if you want to maximize your yield potential.

Conley says every year there's more growers from different areas of the state that engage in the contest.  Of course there's cash prizes for the top winners in various categories, but there's also a treasure trove of information everyone wins.  He says in 2025 there were 3 growers that broke the 100 bushel to the acre average.  Sharing that information is another magnet for growers.

The contest is funded by farmer checkoff dollars through the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.

There may not be any seed in the ground (yet), but Wisconsin is looking at potentially more acres for soybeans this year!
<a href="https://badgercropnetwork.com/just-facts-jack-soybean-planting-date-seeding-rate-seed-treatment-recommendations/">Dr. Shawn Conley,</a> UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist says it's a good time to consider entering the 2026 <a href="https://wisoybean.org/wsa/yield-contest/">WI Soybean Marketing Board's Yield Contest</a>.&nbsp; Planning where you want to plant your contest field, the variety you select, seed treatment, fertilizer - are all in the works.&nbsp; That's ideal if you want to maximize your yield potential.
Conley says every year there's more growers from different areas of the state that engage in the contest.&nbsp; Of course there's cash prizes for the top winners in various categories, but there's also a treasure trove of information everyone wins.&nbsp; He says in 2025 there were 3 growers that broke the 100 bushel to the acre average.&nbsp; Sharing that information is another magnet for growers.
The contest is funded by farmer checkoff dollars through the <a href="https://wisoybean.org/wsmb/">Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.</a>

WI Soybean Yield Contest Returns For 2026 - Conley

Madison, Wisconsin becomes the center of the equine world.  The Midwest Horse Fair returns to the Alliant Energy Center this weekend.  Bob Bosold visits with executive director, Terri Giannetti, talks about the varied horse breeds that will be featured, and some of the hands-on learning opportunities they'll offer.  Giannetti says they're using every available inch of space on the grounds for the show.

Wisconsin's picking itself up after a nasty set of storms overnight.  Stu Muck recaps some of the reports, and tells us about more wet weather on the way.

It's a Wyffels Wednesday with Brent Tharp, technical products manager for Wyffels Hybrids.  Ben Jarboe discusses planting progress so far in the corn belt, and the wet conditions being faced.  Tharp says patience will pay off.  He's advising not to make any missteps this spring given the cost of seed and fertilizer.  Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids.

The American Farm Bureau has released a nationwide survey on fertilizer prices and how farms are dealing with the expense.  Pam Jahnke reports that 70% of the more than 5,000 respondents said they won't be able to afford all the fertilizer they need for this growing season.

The Wisconsin Beef Council sponsored the Best Beef Entree award at the recent Wisconsin ProStart Invitational, inspiring the next generation of culinary leaders. Brady Weiland, a beef and dairy producer from Columbus, tells Stephanie Hoff about the experience as a judge, and tasting the creative ways that students prepared decadent beef dishes. He also gives us a firsthand look at why representing the dairy perspective on the state checkoff board is vital for the entire beef industry's success. Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.

Madison, Wisconsin becomes the center of the equine world.&nbsp; The Midwest Horse Fair returns to the Alliant Energy Center this weekend.&nbsp; Bob Bosold visits with executive director, Terri Giannetti, talks about the varied horse breeds that will be featured, and some of the hands-on learning opportunities they'll offer.&nbsp; Giannetti says they're using every available inch of space on the grounds for the show.
Wisconsin's picking itself up after a nasty set of storms overnight.&nbsp; Stu Muck recaps some of the reports, and tells us about more wet weather on the way.
It's a Wyffels Wednesday with Brent Tharp, technical products manager for Wyffels Hybrids.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe discusses planting progress so far in the corn belt, and the wet conditions being faced.&nbsp; Tharp says patience will pay off.&nbsp; He's advising not to make any missteps this spring given the cost of seed and fertilizer.&nbsp; Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids.
The American Farm Bureau has released a nationwide survey on fertilizer prices and how farms are dealing with the expense.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke reports that 70% of the more than 5,000 respondents said they won't be able to afford all the fertilizer they need for this growing season.
The Wisconsin Beef Council sponsored the Best Beef Entree award at the recent Wisconsin ProStart Invitational, inspiring the next generation of culinary leaders. Brady Weiland, a beef and dairy producer from Columbus, tells Stephanie Hoff about the experience as a judge, and tasting the creative ways that students prepared decadent beef dishes. He also gives us a firsthand look at why representing the dairy perspective on the state checkoff board is vital for the entire beef industry's success. Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.

USDA Shifts Focus To Field Leadership & Small Processors

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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