In 2025 many Wisconsin county fairs were focused on more than just carnival rides and cotton candy.  Jayme Buttke, executive secretary of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs says they were also focused on measuring their real worth to their communities, and strategizing how to engage the next group of volunteers.

Buttke says there's been an emphasis all year on a state economic impact study initiative that has fairs taking a deeper look at what they bring to their community.  Buttke says we've always known about the educational element that's obvious at fairs, but there's also other cultural benefits as well as financial rewards.

Buttke says the results of the year long initiative will be a focal point for the 2026 WI Association of Fairs annual convention in January.

In 2025 many Wisconsin county fairs were focused on more than just carnival rides and cotton candy.&nbsp; Jayme Buttke, executive secretary of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs says they were also focused on measuring their real worth to their communities, and strategizing how to engage the next group of volunteers.
Buttke says there's been an emphasis all year on a state economic impact study initiative that has fairs taking a deeper look at what they bring to their community.&nbsp; Buttke says we've always known about the educational element that's obvious at fairs, but there's also other cultural benefits as well as financial rewards.
Buttke says the results of the year long initiative will be a focal point for the <a href="https://www.wifairs.com/p/convention">2026 WI Association of Fairs annual convention in January.</a>

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!

County Fairs End On A High Note

The holidays are upon us and grocery carts are filling up with all the essentials for baking, cooking, and entertaining. One big winner this time of year? Dairy. Today, we’re talking about how dairy sales grow in November and December, and what Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is doing at retail to support our local farmers.

Jonathon Hallock is a Board Director with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin representing Buffalo, Pepin and Pierce Counties. His dairy is just outside of Mondovi.

Hallock says that this is an incredibly important time of year for all of the dairy complex. People are baking more, cooking holiday meals, hosting parties, and that all drives demand for products like butter, cream, cheese, and specialty cheeses.

Across the U.S., you typically see a 3–5% increase in milk and butter sales in the fall compared to summer, and a lot of that is driven by November and December holiday shopping. Wisconsin especially shines because of all the specialty cheeses our cheesemakers have crafted. Specialty and entertaining cheeses usually can see sales really spike. In the week leading up to Christmas, specialty cheese sales at retail can be around 50% higher than average, because people are building cheese boards, gifting cheese, and using it in their recipes.

How can you find that specialty cheese - and maybe the story behind it?  Simple.  Hallock says to look for the Proudly Wisconsin Cheese badge.  He says when you see that badge, you’re not just buying a product—you’re supporting a whole chain of people:
The dairy farm families who care for the cows
The cheesemakers crafting those specialty cheeses
The truck drivers, plant workers, and local communities built around dairy

Holiday sales help keep milk moving, plants busy, and paychecks flowing in rural communities across Wisconsin.

Remember, the Proudly Wisconsin Cheese message is rippling across the United States and around the world.  Hallock reminds everyone that 90% of our state’s milk is made into cheese. About 90% of that cheese is sold outside Wisconsin, so holiday demand across the country is a really big deal for our farmers back home.

If you'd like to find some of that specialty cheese for your cheese board or special event, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's making it easy on you.  Just click on WisconsinCheese.com and get ready to enjoy and share.

The holidays are upon us and grocery carts are filling up with all the essentials for baking, cooking, and entertaining. One big winner this time of year? Dairy. Today, we&rsquo;re talking about how dairy sales grow in November and December, and what Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is doing at retail to support our local farmers.
Jonathon Hallock is a Board Director with <a href="https://www.wisconsindairy.org/">Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin</a> representing Buffalo, Pepin and Pierce Counties. His dairy is just outside of Mondovi.
Hallock says that this is an incredibly important time of year for all of the dairy complex. People are baking more, cooking holiday meals, hosting parties, and that all drives demand for products like butter, cream, cheese, and specialty cheeses. Across the U.S., you typically see a 3&ndash;5% increase in milk and butter sales in the fall compared to summer, and a lot of that is driven by November and December holiday shopping. Wisconsin especially shines because of all the specialty cheeses our cheesemakers have crafted. Specialty and entertaining cheeses usually can see sales really spike. In the week leading up to Christmas, specialty cheese sales at retail can be&nbsp;around 50% higher than average, because people are building cheese boards, gifting cheese, and using it in their recipes.
How can you find that specialty cheese - and maybe the story behind it?&nbsp; Simple.&nbsp; Hallock says to look for the Proudly Wisconsin Cheese badge.&nbsp; He says when you see that badge, you&rsquo;re not just buying a product&mdash;you&rsquo;re supporting a whole chain of people:
<ul>
<li>The dairy farm families who care for the cows</li>
<li>The cheesemakers crafting those specialty cheeses</li>
<li>The truck drivers, plant workers, and local communities built around dairy</li>
</ul>
Holiday sales help keep milk moving, plants busy, and paychecks flowing in rural communities across Wisconsin.
Remember, the Proudly Wisconsin Cheese message is rippling across the United States and around the world.&nbsp; Hallock reminds everyone that 90% of our state&rsquo;s milk is made into cheese. About 90% of that cheese is sold outside Wisconsin, so holiday demand across the country is a really big deal for our farmers back home.
If you'd like to find some of that specialty cheese for your cheese board or special event, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's making it easy on you.&nbsp; Just click on <a href="https://www.wisconsincheese.com/our-cheese/order-online">WisconsinCheese.com</a> and get ready to enjoy and share.

Ho Ho Holy Cheese!  It's Go Time For Wisconsin Dairy - Jonathon Hallock

As the season for charitable giving arrives, the Wisconsin 4-H program is reassuring donors that their gifts will have a greater impact following a recent administrative change in its fundraising structure. The Wisconsin 4-H program has transitioned its fundraising to the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, also known as the UW Foundation, which will now serve as its official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner. This move replaces the previous arrangement with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.  Stephanie Hoff gets the detailsfrom Jessica Jens, the Wisconsin 4-H state program leader, explains that the primary benefit of this change is financial efficiency.

Hello wind chill values!  Stu Muck says despite the wind chills, there's relatively little wind across the state.  He says that we're looking at single digit temps today with more snow swinging back over the state before the end of the week.


What do cows, sauerkraut and glyphosate have in common?  Well, all three are part of the conversations happening at the 2025 EcoAg conference happening in Madison.  The conference emphasizes regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices.  Ben Jarboe visited with Dr. Don Huber, Professor Emeritus, Purdue University about his research looking at sauerkraut juice and its interaction with remnants of glyphosate left in soil residue. Huber says even at ½ ounce per acre, glyphosate can inhibit plant uptake of key micronutrients—manganese, zinc, iron, and copper—crucial for building strong cell walls.  The sauerkraut juice can change that! 


It's the holiday season.  So why is the dairy complex cratering when demand should be at a seasonal peak?  That's one of the questions addressed by Bryce Windecker, dairy analyst with EverAg.  Windecker joins Pam Jahnke from his New York state dairy and explains that demand is still there, but so are ample milk supplies.

As the season for charitable giving arrives, the Wisconsin 4-H program is reassuring donors that their gifts will have a greater impact following a recent administrative change in its fundraising structure. The Wisconsin 4-H program has transitioned its fundraising to the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, also known as the UW Foundation, which will now serve as its official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner. This move replaces the previous arrangement with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff gets the details from&nbsp;Jessica Jens, the Wisconsin 4-H state program leader, explains that the primary benefit of this change is financial efficiency.
Hello wind chill values!&nbsp; Stu Muck says despite the wind chills, there's relatively little wind across the state.&nbsp; He says that we're looking at single digit temps today with more snow swinging back over the state before the end of the week.
 What do cows, sauerkraut and glyphosate have in common?&nbsp; Well, all three are part of the conversations happening at the 2025 EcoAg conference happening in Madison.&nbsp; The conference emphasizes regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe visited with Dr. Don Huber, Professor Emeritus, Purdue University about his research looking at sauerkraut juice and its interaction with remnants&nbsp;of glyphosate left in soil residue. Huber says even at &frac12; ounce per acre, glyphosate can inhibit plant uptake of key micronutrients&mdash;manganese, zinc, iron, and copper&mdash;crucial for building strong cell walls.&nbsp; The sauerkraut juice can change that!&nbsp;
 It's the holiday season.&nbsp; So why is the dairy complex cratering when demand should be at a seasonal peak?&nbsp; That's one of the questions addressed by Bryce Windecker, dairy analyst with EverAg.&nbsp; Windecker joins Pam Jahnke from his New York state dairy and explains that demand is still there, but so are ample milk supplies.

It's The Holidays!  So Why Is The Dairy Complex Cratering?  Bryce Windecker

Wisconsin had a fairly successful harvest during the recent gun/deer season.  Ben Jarboe gets the details from DNR deer program specialist, Jeff Pritzl.  He says weather was an overriding factor to hunters' success again this year.  He also notes that it appears hunters donated more deer this year, helping local food pantries with increased demand.  He says high beef prices might have also encouraged more hunters to share.

The warmest temperatures we'll feel today may be early this morning.  Stu Muck says there's a chance for a few more flurries in the forecast and cold temps prevail.

Farm machinery is holding its value according to Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group.  He tells Pam Jahnke that some items may have retreated as far as prices, but things like tractors are still selling strong.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Not all honey producers were thrilled with their 2025 harvest.  Chris Hansen of Hansen Honey Farm in Rhinelander is one of them.  He tells Stephanie Hoff that weather had a big impact on his bee performance.  He said the winter of 2024 going into 2025 was devastating with widespread colony loss.  Beekeepers had to take aggressive action to try and rebuild their hives quickly.  That practice generally means production will take a hit.  Hanson estimates his harvest was down drastically.  He estimates he harvested about 5 pounds per hive when he'd normally expect 45-50 pounds on average.  He said he plans to work on diversifying his operation and focus on good fall management.

Wisconsin had a fairly successful harvest during the recent gun/deer season.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe gets the details from DNR deer program specialist, Jeff Pritzl.&nbsp; He says weather was an overriding factor to hunters' success again this year.&nbsp; He also notes that it appears hunters donated more deer this year, helping local food pantries&nbsp;with increased demand.&nbsp; He says high beef prices might have also encouraged more hunters to share.
The warmest temperatures we'll feel today may be early this morning.&nbsp; Stu Muck says there's a chance for a few more flurries in the forecast and cold temps prevail.
Farm machinery is holding its value according to Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group.&nbsp; He tells Pam Jahnke that some items may have retreated as far as prices, but things like tractors are still selling strong.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group.
Not all honey producers were thrilled with their 2025 harvest.&nbsp; Chris Hansen of Hansen Honey Farm in Rhinelander is one of them.&nbsp; He tells Stephanie Hoff that weather had a big impact on his bee performance.&nbsp; He said the winter of 2024 going into 2025 was devastating with widespread colony loss.&nbsp; Beekeepers had to take aggressive action to try and rebuild their hives quickly.&nbsp; That practice generally means production will take a hit.&nbsp; Hanson estimates his harvest was down drastically.&nbsp; He estimates he harvested about 5 pounds per hive when he'd normally expect 45-50 pounds on average.&nbsp; He said he plans to work on diversifying his operation and focus on good fall management.

County Fairs End On A High Note

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