Wisconsin dairy farmer and DFW Board Member Annaliese Wegner shares how everyday farm management translates into impactful industry leadership. She explores how the farmer-led checkoff creates unity among over 5,000 diverse operations to build global demand and protect consumer trust. Whether milking 30 cows or 3,000, Annaliese encourages all producers to lend their perspective to ensure a strong future for the next generation.

Wisconsin dairy farmer and DFW Board Member Annaliese Wegner shares how everyday farm management translates into impactful industry leadership. She explores how the farmer-led checkoff creates unity among over 5,000 diverse operations to build global demand and protect consumer trust. Whether milking 30 cows or 3,000, Annaliese encourages all producers to lend their perspective to ensure a strong future for the next generation.

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

More than $32 million in dairy farmer generated funds are managed by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW).  Headquartered in Madison, DFW focuses on enhancing the value of all Wisconsin produced dairy products.

Ultimately the goal is to return those dairy invested dollars back to the farm gate.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin connects with farmers and consumers to take them behind the curtain of marketing, analytics, and consumer trends to try and show them the value generated on their behalf.

This program is sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

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

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

From The Parlor To The Boardroom -- Dairy Farmers Are Leaders

Wisconsin farmers are dealing with a new pest familiar to gardeners.  Slugs!  Dane Elmquist tells Stephanie Hoff that slugs are becoming a bigger field pest because of conservation practices.  Elmquist is the conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension.  Slugs  thrive in no-till and cover crop systems because the heavy crop residue and lack of soil disturbance create a cool, moist microclimate where populations can build up year over year. While they feed on both corn and soybeans, slugs pose a greater economic threat to soybeans; corn is generally more resilient and can often outgrow the damage. Crops are most at risk early in the season as seedlings, particularly when a mild winter is followed by a wet spring that slows down initial plant growth. Recent heavy infestations have been reported in Northeast Wisconsin, specifically within the Fox-Wolf watershed area near Green Bay. To combat the lack of data on slug populations in Wisconsin, researchers launched SlugNet, a monitoring project where volunteers use simple roofing shingles as "traps" to track and report slug activity across the state. Be a part of it by searching SlugNet online! 


Frosty start to our Thursday morning, and that trends going to continue.  Stu Muck, ag weatherman, says overnight frost/freeze warnings will persist into the weekend.

No go on the 2026 Farm Bill yesterday.  Between worries about SNAP budget constraints and E-15 additions, it's headed back to the House Rules Committee for negotiation.  Pam Jahnke shares comments from Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

Nonfat dry milk is at 10 year highs in pricing.  Why?  Collin Aardema, dairy advisor for EverAg, explains that nonfat dry milk is an ideal ingredient in a lot of foods - especially those high in protein. What's different about this rally he says - China's missing.

Wisconsin farmers are dealing with a new pest familiar to gardeners.&nbsp; Slugs!&nbsp; Dane Elmquist tells Stephanie Hoff that slugs are becoming a bigger field pest because of conservation practices.&nbsp; Elmquist is the conservation cropping specialist with the Division of Extension.&nbsp;&nbsp;Slugs&nbsp; thrive in no-till and cover crop systems because the heavy crop residue and lack of soil disturbance create a cool, moist microclimate where populations can build up year over year. While they feed on both corn and soybeans, slugs pose a greater economic threat to soybeans; corn is generally more resilient and can often outgrow the damage. Crops are most at risk early in the season as seedlings, particularly when a mild winter is followed by a wet spring that slows down initial plant growth. Recent heavy infestations have been reported in Northeast Wisconsin, specifically within the Fox-Wolf watershed area near Green Bay. To combat the lack of data on slug populations in Wisconsin, researchers launched SlugNet, a monitoring project where volunteers use simple roofing shingles as "traps" to track and report slug activity across the state. Be a part of it by searching SlugNet online!&nbsp;
 Frosty start to our Thursday morning, and that trends going to continue.&nbsp; Stu Muck, ag weatherman, says overnight frost/freeze warnings will persist into the weekend.
No go on the 2026 Farm Bill yesterday.&nbsp; Between worries about SNAP budget constraints and E-15 additions, it's headed back to the House Rules Committee for negotiation.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke shares comments from Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
Nonfat dry milk is at 10 year highs in pricing.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Collin Aardema, dairy advisor for EverAg, explains that nonfat dry milk is an ideal ingredient in a lot of foods - especially those high in protein. What's different about this rally he says - China's missing.

Slugs Become A New WI Farm Problem Plus Nonfat Milk Continues Climb - Aardema

It's the right time of the year to be focused on the bee population in Wisconsin.  Jill Welke catches up with Wisconsin's Honey Queen,  Emily Skala.  She explains the training she's gone through to make sure she's properly educating the general public about everything bees can do.  She says most people don't realize the different types of honey you can enjoy based just on what the bee is consuming!

Weather calms down a bit beginning today.  Stu Muck says that this next weather front should help farm fields dry out.

As Wyffels Hybrids celebrates its 80th anniversary as an independent, family-owned company, Regional Sales Manager Steve Quade joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss current spring planting progress in the region. We explore the latest digital tools available to farmers, including a GDU calculator and planting progress maps, designed to assist with critical hybrid and timing decisions. Additionally, Steve highlights the release of 16 new corn hybrids and the company's commitment to extensive research and on-farm trials for the 2026 season. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids.The Wisconsin State Fair has announced the 2026 Sporky and Drinkie finalists. Pam Jahnke highlights a few of the new offerings.


Graduation is right around the corner for college of ag students, but the job market might be a little dim.  Ben Jarboe takes the temperature of job demand with Tammy Jensen, President of AgriCareers Inc.  She says there's always a need for "farm kids" graduating with some hands-on skills.  She advises that you may need to adjust your expectations in the current job market.  Jensen says there's an emphasis on what you can bring to the business.  Sometimes that may mean being willing to take on multiple responsibilities.

It's the right time of the year to be focused on the bee population in Wisconsin.&nbsp; Jill Welke catches up with Wisconsin's Honey Queen,&nbsp; Emily Skala.&nbsp; She explains the training she's gone through to make sure she's properly educating the general public about everything bees can do.&nbsp; She says most people don't realize the different types of honey you can enjoy based just on what the bee is consuming!
Weather calms down a bit beginning today.&nbsp; Stu Muck says that this next weather front should help farm fields dry out.
As Wyffels Hybrids celebrates its 80th anniversary as an independent, family-owned company, Regional Sales Manager Steve Quade joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss current spring planting progress in the region. We explore the latest digital tools available to farmers, including a GDU calculator and planting progress maps, designed to assist with critical hybrid and timing decisions. Additionally, Steve highlights the release of 16 new corn hybrids and the company's commitment to extensive research and on-farm trials for the 2026 season. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids.The Wisconsin State Fair has announced the 2026 Sporky and Drinkie finalists. Pam Jahnke highlights a few of the new offerings.
 Graduation is right around the corner for college of ag students, but the job market might be a little dim.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe takes the temperature of job demand with&nbsp;Tammy Jensen,&nbsp;President of AgriCareers Inc.&nbsp; She says there's always a need for "farm kids" graduating with some hands-on skills.&nbsp; She advises that you may need to adjust your expectations in the current job market.&nbsp; Jensen says there's an emphasis on what you can bring to the business.&nbsp; Sometimes that may mean being&nbsp;willing to take on multiple responsibilities.

Bees Are Getting Busy And So Are Ag College Grads

Dairy farmers and Wisconsin agriculture stakeholders got a seat at the table when Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the trip to Wisconsin this week. From exclusive roundtables to new proposals for the national labor crisis, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson tells Stephanie Hoff about how the day went at Morning Star Dairy in Onalaska.

Photo courtesy of Rep. Travis Tranel's office.

Dairy farmers and Wisconsin agriculture stakeholders got a seat at the table when Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the trip to Wisconsin this week. From exclusive roundtables to new proposals for the national labor crisis, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson tells Stephanie Hoff about how the day went at Morning Star Dairy in Onalaska.
Photo courtesy of Rep. Travis Tranel's office.

From The Parlor To The Boardroom -- Dairy Farmers Are Leaders

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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