MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON Pam Jahnke

Kenneth Mendez is the president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This is a nonprofit that represents Americans with allergic diseases in the policy and research spaces. He says if you end up feeling miserable during the first nice week of the year and in waves throughout the summer, you're not alone. About 26 percent of adults and 19 percent of children suffer every year.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Underneath 50 million-plus acres across the nation are miles of tile quietly keeping fields in prime condition for growing crops. This innovative approach to managing soil moisture is proving to be a game-changer in modern agriculture, providing numerous benefits to farmers and the environment alike.

Drain tile systems play a crucial role in controlling soil moisture levels. "It helps control the moisture in the dirt profile of the soil,” says Troy Aalsma, Sales Representative for Kartechner Brothers LLC. “We're not trying to dry out the soil 100 percent; all we're doing is taking the excess moisture that the soil can't handle. It prepares the ground for when there is heavy rainfall."

This not only prevents surface runoff and erosion but also keeps valuable topsoil in place. Farmers are reporting remarkable changes in their planting schedules and crop health due to drain tile systems. "Some of their farms that were always the latest to plant are now sometimes their first to plant. Being able to get out there is a huge convenience," says Aalsma.

 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Wisconsin State FFA President hails from western Wisconsin.  Jescey Thompson is a member of the Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau FFA chapter.  He had served as the 2023-2024 Wisconsin State FFA Reporter. Thompson is very engaged in policy advocacy for agriculture and intends to make that a part of his career. Aubrey Schlimgen chats with the new leader.Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA, says that training for the new state officer team begins next week with an eye on expanding membership and activities even further.

We're looking at a warmer, drier weekend around Wisconsin.  Welcome news for struggling farmers trying to finish up planting.  There's other areas of concern too.  Stephanie Hoff gets a field update from certified crop consultant, Pat Herbst from Darlington.

Veterans have a lot of resources available to them, but sometimes finding those resources and working through the process can be difficult.  Pam Jahnke visits with veteran, Stu Martell.  This Dane County native served in the Air Force for 4 years, and today acts as a volunteer outreach person through AARP.  Martell says finding your county veteran supervisor is the first step in helping veterans, their families and caretakers access the benefits they've got coming.  Paid for by AARP.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making sure farmers know where their checkoff dollars are being invested is a critical responsibility for board members.  Shane Goplin, corn grower and board member, visits with Jill Welke to explain where the latest investments have been made and what returns are expected.Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union explains the sticking points over "Right to Repair" involving agriculture.Heat and humidity cost livestock owners in multiple ways.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Dr. Scott Pertzborn from the Lodi Vet Clinic, about how high producing milk cows respond or react to heat and humidity and how technology is helping farms deal with it.

It may feel like the Bahamas in Wisconsin today, but students from the Fox Valley Technical College(FVTC) found out how that weather year-round impacts agriculture there.  Charitee Seebecker gets the story from Sarah Lloyd-Mills, instructor at FVTC.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're feeling uncomfortable in the summer heat, so are the cattle. Dr. Scott Pertzborn is one of the owners at the Lodi Veterinary Clinic specializing in livestock. He says heat can be problematic for dairy and beef production, and he's got strategies to help you keep everyone cool.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a wet spring, expect flies. Dr. Scott Pertzborn is one of the owners at Lodi Veterinary Care, specializing in livestock. He says flies need moisture to breed. He has strategies to mitigate the fly population on the farm. He says it starts by examining where they’re coming from.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.