It's Farm Safety And Health Week

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

It's never too early to start preparing for Christmas, when it comes to Wisconsin's Christmas tree producers. Stephanie Hoff visits with Dean Lemkey of Central Wisconsin Evergreens for an update on Wisconsin's tree crop. It takes months of preparation to produce the perfect tree for your home. The crop of trees for cutting is looking pretty good around the state, and wildfires and drought around the US is increasing demand for trees from Wisconsin this year.

This week is National and Wisconsin Farm Safety and Health Week and September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness month. Mental health is of main focus within the farming and agricultural community. Sue Springer of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Iowa County shares some of those challenges farmers may face, and what we can do to be there and support everyone's mental well-being.

Jeff Swenson, Livestock and Meat Specialist with Wisconsin DATCP gives a livestock and meat update for the state. We saw several disruptions in the cattle harvest last week, causing lower overall harvest numbers overall. Drought and low profitability continues to push beef cow herd numbers lower across the nation, which actually may have a positive impact on cow/calf and feedlot producers into the future. Lower inventory of calves and lower cattle on feed numbers will hopefully create more competition in the marketplace and drive prices higher.

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