Brownfield » Wisconsin Farm Technology Days

Rain brings WFTD to an early close

Bob Meyer — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:07:00 +0000

What started out as a light rain in Pierce County intensified as the morning continued prompting officials to cancel the remainder of the final day of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.

See it all at the beef tent

Bob Meyer — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:06:49 +0000

One of the more popular displays at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days each year is the “Beef Tent”. A joint effort of a number of beef interests in the state, Nancy Thomas says this year’s tent features 13 different breeds plus representatives from the Wisconsin Cattlemen Association, NCBA, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Wisconsin Beef Council and others. New this year is a large photo display compiled by University of Wisconsin students which depicts beef from conception to consumption. “There are even pictures of the birth of a calf.”

AUDIO: Thomas talks about this year’s display

“Harmony between Horse and Human”

Bob Meyer — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:04:06 +0000

One of the features at the Mills Fleet Farm display this year is horse trainer Michael Richardson. He was an active horseman for as long as he can remember but things changed dramatically at age 20 when an automobile accident left his lower extremities paralyzed. He says that experience caused him to gravitate toward the horse as one of his early goals in rehabilitation was to regain enough strength to participate in an equine therapy program. Today he travels the country promoting harmony between horse and human.

AUDIO:Richardson talks about his experience

“Alice” is a very busy lady

Bob Meyer — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:56:23 +0000

It just wouldn’t be Wisconsin Farm Technology Days without the state’s ambassador for agriculture, Alice in Dairyland. Christine Lindner acts as an emcee in the Family Living Tent and the Youth Tent each day. This is certainly not Christine’s first experience with Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, in the past she has worked the show as a State FFA officer and last year she was a member of the media & public relations committee but she says working the show as “Alice” is the best.

In a couple of weeks she will be participating in another big event, the Wisconsin State Fair.

AUDIO: Christine Lindner talks about her duties

Marathon County ready for 2011

Bob Meyer — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:52:15 +0000

As the curtain comes down on this year’s show, the folks in Marathon County are ready to step up to the plate. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days 2011 will be July 12, 13 & 14 at Seehafer Acres just north of Marshfield. Keith Langenhahn is Chairman of the Marathon County Executive Committee; he says their crew is ready to take the reins.

AUDIO: Langenhahn talks about next year’s show

Communicating with consumers

Bob Meyer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:53:56 +0000

Matt Joyce with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board talks about the ever-changing consumer and the ever-changing way to communicate with those consumers.

AUDIO: Matt Joyce (4:30 mp3)

The future of dairy

Bob Meyer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:24:33 +0000

Accelerated Genetics is a mainstay at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, not only does the company participate in the show every year but Janet Keller serves on the Board of Directors for WFTD. She talks about the show, the company and what lies ahead for the dairy industry.

AUDIO: Janet Keller (3:50 mp3)

Busy time for new General Manager

Bob Meyer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:40:29 +0000

One of those “behind-the-scenes” changes at the show this year is the General Manager. Glen Thompson has retired and Ron Schuler has stepped up. The job has Schuler working with at least three different shows in various stages of development, from this show under way to the folks in Marathon County just one year away and Outagamie County just getting thing started. He took time on the first day of his first show to talk about his job.

AUDIO: Ron Schuler (5:50 mp3)

Advancements in technology help many areas

Bob Meyer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:19:49 +0000

Tom Gillis is a corn and soybean producer at Roberts, Wisconsin and serves on the Corn Promotion Board. He talks about technical advancements, the export market and the importance of upgrading the lock and dam system on the upper Mississippi River.

AUDIO: Tom Gillis (5:00 mp3)

Changes with SRA and crop insurance

Bob Meyer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:42:12 +0000

Tom Odeen handles crop insurance for M & I Bank, he says that new Standard Reinsurance Agreement with USDA will mean some changes but most producers will not really notice any difference. He also talks about some deadlines coming up and the need to utilize crop insurance.

AUDIO: Tom Odeen (3:40 mp3)