Despite the drought, there has still been a lot of insect activity. For some it even helped them.  PJ Liesch, the director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab and state entomologist, also known as the Wisconsin Bug guy, says several insects stand out at the moment including Asian lady beetles, box elder bugs, and grasshoppers. But first he talks about another busy insect. Yellowjackets.

“It's important to note that these insects are often mistaken for ground bees, but they are actually ground-nesting yellow jackets,” explains Liesch.

Despite the drought, there has still been a lot of insect activity. For some it even helped them.  PJ Liesch, the director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab and state entomologist, also known as the Wisconsin Bug guy, says several insects stand out at the moment including Asian lady beetles, box elder bugs, and grasshoppers. But first he talks about another busy insect. Yellowjackets.
“It's important to note that these insects are often mistaken for ground bees, but they are actually ground-nesting yellow jackets,” explains Liesch.

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!

What's Making Their Way Into Your Home This Fall?

Railroads have long been a staple for Wisconsin agriculture and 2026 is no exception. Brad Peot is the commercial sales manager with WATCO railroad.   Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions company. They provide rail, transloading, terminal and port, and logistics services. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas.  Ben Jarboe learns that right now railroads face unique challenges  during winter when rivers freeze and barge traffic stops.  Extremely cold temperatures slow rail operations because trains rely on air brake systems that work less efficiently in dry, cold conditions. In very cold weather, trains may need to run with fewer railcars to meet air pressure requirements for braking systems. Let's not forget about the crews!  They're working in the outdoors to connect and disconnect railcars, creating safety risks like frostbite during extreme cold.  Peot says that WATCO is responsible for most of the grain movement in Wisconsin today.

Snow piles are starting to disappear thanks to warming temperatures.  Stu Muck says today that means a little early morning for.  For southern WI, temps will sneak back toward 60 by the weekend.

Warmer weather means farms can resume manure management plans in certain areas.  Safety has to be a priority.  That's the message from Kevin Erb, Conservation and Nutrient Specialist with UW Extension.  He tells Kiley Allan that over half of manure-handling accidents occur on the road, with 55% of those happening at intersections due to speed, taking corners too sharply, or failing to account for the sloshing of the liquid in the tank. Approximately 20% of incidents occur when turning into field driveways; many existing culverts and entrances are too narrow for modern, larger farm equipment, requiring infrastructure updates or more cautious maneuvering.  It's not just farmers that need to pay attention.  Erb says civilian drivers share the responsibility for safety. Motorists are encouraged to practice patience, as attempting to pass wide farm machinery in a hurry often leads to preventable collisions.

State senate leaders have wrapped up their work.  Pam Jahnke gives a brief rundown on some of the agribusiness and rural related items that are off the governor's desk.

Wild winter weather undid the first meeting of the WI Agriculture Youth Council this week.  Stephanie Hoff has accepted a board position with WAYC.  Others that have been involved with the council include Mary Schreiber, past National FFA Officer from East Troy.  She explains the unique human connections she made on the council that turned into friendships on the collegiate level.  Likewise, Jersey Thompson from Ettrick is currently a student at Iowa State.  He also served as a past WI State FFA President.  He says the exposure to people already in key positions for agriculture help inspire the desire for hands on experiences.

Railroads have long been a staple for Wisconsin agriculture and 2026 is no exception. Brad Peot is the commercial sales manager with WATCO railroad.&nbsp;&nbsp; Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions company. They provide rail, transloading, terminal and port, and logistics services. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe learns that right now railroads face unique challenges&nbsp; during winter when rivers freeze and barge traffic stops.&nbsp; Extremely&nbsp;cold temperatures slow rail operations because trains rely on air brake systems that work less efficiently in dry, cold conditions. In very cold weather, trains may need to run with fewer railcars to meet air pressure requirements for braking systems. Let's not forget about the crews!&nbsp; They're working in the outdoors to connect and disconnect railcars, creating safety risks like frostbite during extreme cold.&nbsp; Peot says that WATCO is responsible for most of the grain movement in Wisconsin today.
Snow piles are starting to disappear thanks to warming temperatures.&nbsp; Stu Muck says today that means a little early morning for.&nbsp; For southern WI, temps will sneak back toward 60 by the weekend.
Warmer weather means farms can resume manure management plans in certain areas.&nbsp; Safety has to be a priority.&nbsp; That's the message from Kevin Erb, Conservation and Nutrient Specialist with UW Extension.&nbsp; He tells Kiley Allan that over half of manure-handling accidents occur on the road, with 55% of those happening at intersections due to speed, taking corners too sharply, or failing to account for the sloshing of the liquid in the tank. Approximately 20% of incidents occur when turning into field driveways; many existing culverts and entrances are too narrow for modern, larger farm equipment, requiring infrastructure updates or more cautious maneuvering.&nbsp; It's not just farmers that need to pay attention.&nbsp; Erb says civilian drivers share the responsibility for safety. Motorists are encouraged to practice patience, as attempting to pass wide farm machinery in a hurry often leads to preventable collisions.
State senate leaders have wrapped up their work.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke gives a brief rundown on some of the agribusiness and rural related items that are off the governor's desk.
Wild winter weather undid the first meeting of the WI Agriculture Youth Council this week.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff has accepted a board position with WAYC.&nbsp; Others that have been involved with the council include Mary Schreiber, past National FFA Officer from East Troy.&nbsp; She explains the unique human connections she made on the council that turned into friendships on the collegiate level.&nbsp; Likewise, Jersey Thompson from Ettrick is currently a student at Iowa State.&nbsp; He also served as a past WI State FFA President.&nbsp; He says the exposure to people already in key positions for agriculture help inspire the desire for hands on experiences.

Warmer Weather Means Watch Manure Mangement Plus Youth Council Benefits

Every voice counts when it comes to speaking up for agriculture.  Kim Bremmer is the current President of American Agri-Women, and also serves as Executive Director of Venture Dairy Co-op.  Bremmer also holds board positions with the American Dairy Coalition and the Farm Bureau. Her  career is rooted in a childhood on a dairy farm and a degree in dairy science from UW-Madison, followed by 15 years as an on-farm ruminant nutritionist. A major driver for her advocacy is closing the gap between the average consumer and the farm, helping farmers find the confidence to share their stories and represent American agriculture. Through her national leadership, Brummer emphasizes that despite regional differences, farmers share the same challenges and are stronger when they amplify their voices together. She encourages others to get involved by choosing one thing they love, whether it's social media, writing, or school programs,rather than trying to do everything.  Kiley Allan listens in.

A little more snow overnight for some of Wisconsin.  Stu Muck says the precipitation will be changing form overnight and temperatures will start to rise.  That means a muddy Wisconsin is on the way by the end of the week.

Four wheel drive tractors remain a hot commodity in the auction world.  Pam Jahnke visits with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group.  Huhn says selection is still good and prices are moderate.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Can you imagine your food as a prescription.  No pills, just focus on eating exact vitamins and elements in certainf foods.  That's happening in conversation now with physicians and dieticians nationwide.  The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is a part of that conversation.  Pam Jahnke learns about the direction of those talks from Shalene McNeil.  McNeil is a registered dietician herself who is currently the executive director of  nutrition, health and wellness at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.  She says research done by the beef checkoff shows what lean beef's protein and vitamins bring to the table.  Paid for by WI Beef Council and Equity Livestock Sales Cooperative.

Every voice counts when&nbsp;it comes to&nbsp;speaking up for agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kim Bremmer is the current&nbsp;President of American Agri-Women, and also serves as Executive Director of Venture Dairy Co-op.&nbsp; Bremmer also holds board positions with the American Dairy Coalition and the Farm Bureau.&nbsp;Her&nbsp; career is rooted in a childhood on a dairy farm and a degree in dairy science from UW-Madison, followed by 15 years as an on-farm ruminant nutritionist.&nbsp;A major driver for her advocacy is closing the gap between the average consumer and the farm, helping farmers find the confidence to share their stories and represent American agriculture.&nbsp;Through her national leadership, Brummer emphasizes that despite regional differences, farmers share the same challenges and are stronger when they amplify their voices together.&nbsp;She encourages others to get involved by choosing one thing they love, whether it's social media, writing, or school programs,rather than trying to do everything.&nbsp; Kiley Allan listens in. A little more snow overnight for some of Wisconsin.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the precipitation will be changing form overnight and temperatures will start to rise.&nbsp; That means a muddy Wisconsin is on the way by the end of the week. Four wheel drive tractors remain a hot commodity in the auction world.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group.&nbsp; Huhn says selection is still good and prices are moderate.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group. Can you imagine your food as a prescription.&nbsp; No pills, just focus on eating exact vitamins and elements in certainf foods.&nbsp; That's happening in conversation now with physicians and dieticians nationwide.&nbsp; The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is a part of that conversation.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke learns about the direction of those talks from Shalene McNeil.&nbsp; McNeil is a registered dietician herself who is currently the executive director of&nbsp; nutrition, health and wellness at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.&nbsp; She says research done by the beef checkoff shows what lean beef's protein and vitamins bring to the table.&nbsp; Paid for by WI Beef Council and Equity Livestock Sales Cooperative.

Your Food Versus Pills Plus Communications Have Never Been More Key For Farms

At the intersection of cutting-edge science and agricultural industry improvement is a company called C-Lock. Don Zimmerman is the Precision Livestock Advisor with the company. Boasting accurate data that easily translates to action steps for producers, he explains some of the company’s technology that producers can easily integrate into their operations.

At the intersection of cutting-edge science and agricultural industry improvement is a company called C-Lock. Don Zimmerman is the Precision Livestock Advisor with the company. Boasting accurate data that easily translates to action steps for producers, he explains some of the company&rsquo;s technology that producers can easily integrate into their operations.

What's Making Their Way Into Your Home This Fall?

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