The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is looking for orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more to showcase on a new app dedicated to connecting consumers with agritourism venues. The American Farm Trail app, created by the Foundation and sponsored by Corteva, allows farmers, ranchers and farm attraction managers to sign up for free to showcase their agritourism venues. Farms and attractions can create a profile promoting their business, history, available products and more. Farm assistant, Aaron Zimmerman catches up with Julie Recko, Director of Education Outreach for the American Farm Bureau Federation for more info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

App Will Feature Agritourism Destinations

Ag economist Paul Mitchell says supply chain issues plaguing the ag industry are not going away anytime soon. For example, fertilizer prices are going up, and Mitchell says come spring, fertilizer supply will be tight. This goes for tractor and machine parts, too. And it could change how farmers manage their inventory.  If you want a smaller turkey for Thanksgiving, get it now, according to Pete Klaphake of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council.  The DATCP Farm Center was awarded $500,000 from the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to promote, develop, and increase stress management and mental health resources for Wisconsin farmers. Secretary Randy Romanski says how that money will be spent. The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association has launched FarmersForCleanWater.com, a new website that showcases the industry’s work to safeguard Wisconsin’s water resources. Executive Director Tamas Houlihan shares more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supply Chain Problems Will Linger

All week, dairy farmers have begun to see a rapid decline in cheese prices. ever.ag Vice President Ryan Yonkman says this is a perfect example of a time to showcase the type of risk farmers have been experiencing for a while.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheese Prices Fall

There was a sales trend last year of consumers wanting smaller birds for Thanksgiving. And that trend is continuing this year. Pete Klaphake is the president of Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council. He says turkey will not be hard to get this year, but if you want a particular size of bird, you’ll want to get that turkey order in now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get Your Turkey Now

Dialog and discussion continues to focus on reforming federal milk order mandates across the United States.  It's a complicated and confusing process.  Dr. Marin Bozic from the University of Minnesota tries to break down when discussion stands to date. In this week's Alcivia Coop Talk, paid for by Alcivia, Pam talks to Lee Parker, VP of Energy & Retail, about propane supplies going into the winter. Ryan Yonkman with EverAg says the price decline in cheese we've witnessed is an excellent example of the volatility today's dairy farm has to expect and strategically plan for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheese Price Drop A Sign Of The Times

Some farmers may be thinking twice this year about harvesting all their field debris for bedding, considering the price of fertilizer.  Aaron Zimmerman talks to UW-Extension Specialist, Jerry Clark, about thinking through the process. Ashley Huhn updates us on the auction prices and activity for used equipment in the Steffes Auction update. Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, says the Wisconsin bear hunt this year was successful!  3,800 bears were harvested. Wyffels Wednesday goes to Dane County for an update with Lucas Clayton - who says we're about 60% complete with the harvest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is It Worth Leaving Stalks In The Field

A new feed mill in Allenton will be doing 400 percent more than its old location with the same amount of employees -- that’s how highly automated the facility is. Tim Kreilkamp is the president of Farmers Grain & Feed based in Allenton. He says they made the decision to rebuild because the old facility is more than 100 years old, which had its challenges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highly Automated Feed Mill Comes Online

2020 was a great year for growing wine grapes... 2021 not so much. The growing season proved tough for the vines at Wollersheim Winery and Distillery in Prairie Du Sac. The harvest is wrapped up, starting with brandy grapes in mid-August. Only the Ice Wine grapes remain on the vines. Winemaker and owner Philippe Coquard says the majority of the harvest happens between August and September. In a season review of the summer and the harvest with the Mid-West Farm Report, Coquard explains the extremely wet and extremely dry weather throughout the 2021 growing season was an issue for grapes. But the good news is, the winery was spared from the late spring frost that had done damage in the northern part of the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winery Reflects On Harvest & Preps For Winter

DATCP's Farm Center was awarded $500,000 from the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to promote, develop, and increase stress management and mental health resources for Wisconsin farmers. DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski shares more details in an interview with the Mid-West Farm Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DATCP To Help Farmers Manage Stress

Concerns about protecting health doesn't end at humans when it comes to the pandemic.  Stephanie Hoff visits with the zookeeper at the Henry Vilas Zoo about measures they've taken to protect zoo animals from contracting the virus. Wisconsin's launched it Meat Processor Grant program, making available up to $50,000 for improvement and expansion of facilities.  Pam talks to WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, about what they hope to accomplish. Wisconsin's Biofuels Industry's a big influence of farms and communities across the state.  In this paid program, Pam talks to Micah Jensen from Didion Milling about all the components biofuels plants use, generate and influence.  Paid for by the WI Biofuels Association. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biofuels Boost Corn Value During Harvest

The hay market across the U.S. is red hot and being watched by members of the National Hay Association.  Bob Bosold talks to their executive director/member about hay prices and overall production trends. Cortney Zimmerman from Spencer has been selected for the National FFA Officer team.  That's only the 8th time it's happened to a Wisconsinite.  Aaron Zimmerman visits with Cortney, his sister, about the announcement and what's ahead. The 94th National FFA Convention has concluded and was an amazing success.  Aaron Zimmerman visits with National FFA CEO, Scott Stump, about how they managed through the pandemic and protocols for a successful event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's Got A National FFA Officer

Milk production in the United States has plateaued and it looks like that's a world trend.  At the same time, consumption remains strong.  Dr. Mark Stephenson with the Center for Dairy Profitability discusses the outlook for Wisconsin dairy farmers with Pam. Monday letters were mailed to eligible farms across the state for the next round of financial aid in the Farm Support Program.  Stephanie Hoff talks about details with WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski. John Hineberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam that investors are piling on wheat!  Nine year highs and it may not be the end. Speculators are largely where monies coming from - so it's very unpredictable.  He joins her for a live conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm Support Letters Going Out

DATCP and the Department of Revenue are providing another round of the Farm Support Program -- direct aid payments to Wisconsin farmers who have experienced economic loss due to the pandemic. Today, DOR began sending letters to eligible applicants. DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski explains farmers will obtain information about the program and a Letter ID, which is required to complete the application. These letters will be sent to farmers with at least $10,000 but less than $5 million in gross income. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm Support Coming Via Post

Farmers and forest landowners will want to plan ahead and sign up early for USDA conservation funding. Angela Biggs, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist in Wisconsin, announced farmers and forest landowners interested in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) producer contracts need to apply by Nov. 19, 2021, for funding in fiscal year 2022. Farm assistant Aaron Zimmerman caught up with Melissa Bartz of NRCS for more details about the EQIP program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apply For EQIP Funding

Financing options for 2022 are being evaluated today.  Hans Pflieger, Vice President of Credit Operations for Alcivia, discusses their Verity program opportunities for finances in 2022.  Knowing all your options is key, and getting discussions started early is important. Find out about Verity and all financing programs through Alcivia! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where's Your Credit Coming From In 2022 - Hans Pflieger

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 106.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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