MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON Pam Jahnke

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just launched a federal order that says lactating cows must test negative for the bird flu before they are transported. Specifically, the cows will get tested for Influenza A viruses which include the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The federal order starts on Monday. Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation has the details. 
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In the world of sports, there are those who seek the thrill of competition, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to excel. For Brandy Von Holten, a former competitive martial artist with dreams of Olympic glory, the journey took an unexpected turn towards the art of mounted archery. 

“Mounted archery found me," she remarks, reflecting on the moment she first tried her hand at shooting from her mule and scored a bullseye. Unwilling to participate in sports with subjective judging, she was drawn to the exhilarating challenge of mounted archery.

Hailing from South Texas and later settling in Missouri, Von Holten’s diverse background and tenacious spirit equipped her for this new endeavor.

"Mounted archery is for the crazy people looking for something different," she explains. "It's about putting your reins down, running, and shooting." From ground-based competitions to specialty shots, mounted archery offers a range of challenges for enthusiasts.
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Shoes are fashionable, whether they're for humans or horses. And There was a time when every community had a blacksmith, and their work was focused on utility.  Today's blacksmith's still focus on utility and function, but there's also a certain art to what they do.  Farriers, the modern-day equivalent of historical blacksmiths, now focus primarily on the craft of horseshoeing. This transition from the all-encompassing role of the blacksmith to the specialized expertise of the farrier marks a significant shift in the industry.

Craig Turnka, a seasoned veteran with 40 years of experience in horse shoeing, sheds light on the evolution of blacksmithing.

 "The blacksmith was all-encompassing with agriculture, making plows and various tools essential for farming," says Turnka. "But with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the decline of horses as primary beasts of burden, ferriering emerged as a specialized art."
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Horses and chickens – it turns out that they complement each other well. So if you have one, you may consider getting the other, says Twain Lockhart. Lockhart is a poultry specialist with Nutrena and gives us insight on how to run your horses and chickens together. He’s also witnessed trends in the poultry industry over the years that he shares with us today. This knowledge has earned him the nickname Mr. Cluck. Lockhart finds himself at other animal agriculture events speaking about chickens. This is because he continues to see growing interest in raising chickens, and he says the birds can complement other farm animals extremely well. 
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How often should a farrier come over?

Should my horse be sore after a farrier visit?

What can I look for in my horse to stay ahead of any health problems?

These are some of the common questions that Dean Moshier can answer. Moshier is an accredited farrier with the International Association of Professional Farriers. He operates The Balanced Hoff and Horse, Inc. out of Ohio, but works with the equine industry across the country, including a long-time speaking engagement with the Midwest Horse Fair. He answers your questions in an interview with Mid-West Farm Report.
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This is the first episode of a new series that features farm destinations across Wisconsin and highlights the bounty of specialty crops that these farms produce. Over the next several months, we’ll go to strawberry patches, vineyards, cranberry bogs, fields of flowers, and more with the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. Executive Director Sheila Everhart joins us in-studio to remind us that Wisconsin is a powerhouse in producing specialty crops from fruits to vegetables and from evergreens to peonies. These producers have an opportunity to open their farms up to the public to provide a food, recreation, relaxation, or education experience. WATA was awarded a specialty crop block grant to promote these agricultural tourism destinations. This series that we are about to embark on is possible thanks to this funding. Learn more about how to engage with Wisconsin's agricultural tourism industry at https://gowiagtourism.com/.
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