Consumer habits have changed since the pandemic, and this includes how much we’ve all been snacking! Convenient, healthy snacks are trending, and it’s an opportunity for the dairy industry. This is according to Audrey Girard, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science at UW-Madison. She recently got a grant from the UW Dairy Innovation Hub to look at how to get some lower value, nutritional dairy components into snack foods. The goal would be to meet market demand while raising the value of those components.

Consumer habits have changed since the pandemic, and this includes how much we’ve all been snacking! Convenient, healthy snacks are trending, and it’s an opportunity for the dairy industry. This is according to Audrey Girard, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science at UW-Madison. She recently got a grant from the UW Dairy Innovation Hub to look at how to get some lower value, nutritional dairy components into snack foods. The goal would be to meet market demand while raising the value of those components.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Adding Value To Whey Via Snack Food

Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, discusses key policy priorities aimed at bringing economic stability to the state's agricultural sector. He highlights the urgent need for a production tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel and the creation of specialized health care plans to support the unique financial situations of farm families and sole proprietors. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the importance of long-term resilience through rural veterinary support, regulatory stability, and a focus on succession planning for the next generation of farmers.

Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, discusses key policy priorities aimed at bringing economic stability to the state's agricultural sector. He highlights the urgent need for a production tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel and the creation of specialized health care plans to support the unique financial situations of farm families and sole proprietors. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the importance of long-term resilience through rural veterinary support, regulatory stability, and a focus on succession planning for the next generation of farmers.

Roughly 300 Show Up To 'Ag Day At The Capitol'

Erin Tomasik, from Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association, highlights the critical need for farmers to engage with local government boards to counter the rising misinformation about agriculture. She explains that urban sprawl and activist-driven frameworks have led to a surge in local ordinances and restrictive regulations across western and central Wisconsin. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that showing up to town and county meetings is just as vital for a farm's survival as participating in state or federal advocacy.

Erin Tomasik, from Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association, highlights the critical need for farmers to engage with local government boards to counter the rising misinformation about agriculture. She explains that urban sprawl and activist-driven frameworks have led to a surge in local ordinances and restrictive regulations across western and central Wisconsin. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that showing up to town and county meetings is just as vital for a farm's survival as participating in state or federal advocacy.

Don't Underestimate The Power Of Attending A Town Board Meeting

Wisconsin agriculture is being briefed on potential changes to how they use their drones.  This technology has become very popular for specific field monitoring chores and watching for insect or disease outbreaks.  Ben Jarboe finds out where the disconnect is, and what's at stake for Wisconsin farmers.  He gets an update from Jeramy Williams, owner of American Drone, with insight on what a drone ban could mean.

Southern Wisconsin picked up a couple inches of snow overnight.  Stu Muck says it's not done yet.  He also warns us that temperatures are going to become brutally cold again by the end of the week.

It's been surprisingly busy for the folks at Steffes Auction Group.  Ashley Huhn says they've seen a real uptick in the number of auction items, and overall auction listings for 2026.  He says many of the retirement auctions they're scheduling have fantastic equipment with low hours.  Paid for by Steffes Group.


It's time for Ag Day at the Capitol.  Stephanie Hoff will be checking on policy progress.  WI Assembly Ag Chair, Travis Tranel, explains a little bit more about why the state is again discussing banning margarine, especially in schools.  It started with a group of dairy parents that found out their kids were being served margarine and school.

Supper clubs are a staple for Wisconsin dining out experiences.  Now, those supper club stories could help elevate the story of beef!  Kaitlyn Kessler with the WI Beef Council tells Pam Jahnke about the campaign looking for "Real People.  Real Stories" involving beef.  Kessler says the state's love of supper clubs, family experiences and beef play well into this campaign.  People are being asked to submit their real stories for the 2026 campaign.  Paid for by Equity Livestock Sales Cooperative.

Wisconsin agriculture is being briefed on potential changes to how they use their drones.&nbsp; This technology has become very popular for specific field monitoring chores and watching for insect or disease outbreaks.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe finds out where the disconnect is, and what's at stake for Wisconsin farmers.&nbsp; He gets an update from Jeramy Williams, owner of American Drone, with insight on what a drone ban could mean.
Southern Wisconsin picked up a couple inches of snow overnight.&nbsp; Stu Muck says it's not done yet.&nbsp; He also warns us that temperatures are going to become brutally cold again by the end of the week.
It's been surprisingly busy for the folks at Steffes Auction Group.&nbsp; Ashley Huhn says they've seen a real uptick in the number of auction items, and overall auction listings for 2026.&nbsp; He says many of the retirement auctions they're scheduling have fantastic equipment with low hours.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group.
 It's time for Ag Day at the Capitol.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff will be checking on policy progress.&nbsp; WI Assembly Ag Chair, Travis Tranel, explains a little bit more about why the state is again discussing banning margarine, especially in schools.&nbsp; It started with a group of dairy parents that found out their kids were being served margarine and school.
Supper clubs are a staple for Wisconsin dining out experiences.&nbsp; Now, those supper club stories could help elevate the story of beef!&nbsp; Kaitlyn Kessler with the WI Beef Council tells Pam Jahnke about the campaign looking for "Real People.&nbsp; Real Stories" involving beef.&nbsp; Kessler says the state's love of supper clubs, family experiences and beef play well into this campaign.&nbsp; People are being asked to submit their real stories for the 2026 campaign.&nbsp; Paid for by Equity Livestock Sales Cooperative.

Adding Value To Whey Via Snack Food

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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