Wheels are turning to administer the USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Pam Jahnke's joined by Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of USDA's Farm Service Agency offices. Chalmers says the staff is working on generating pre-filled paperwork that should land in producers mailboxes by the end of February. Growers will simply need to certify the information is correct, and return the paperwork. The funds will be directly distributed to the farms account. She's also asking dairy operators to get the new updates on the Dairy Margin Coverage Program. Chalmers says there's been some updates through the Big Beautiful Bill that could help dairy's cover more of their production.
Sunshine today - but plenty of wind too. Stu Muck says the temperatures will continue to be above average, but today the wind chills will still be noticeable.
Entrepreneurial spirit and inspiration helped a partnership in Westby launch a Wisconsin vodka brand, with a twist. Ben Jarboe talks with Scott Kring, one of the partners behind Birch Point Distillery. They leaned on their neighbors at Hidden Springs Creamery for advice and suggestions. In the end, they decided to focus on producing vodka made from sheep milk whey. It's a unique process that requires special handling. Kring explains how a grant from the Dairy Business Innovation Association(DBIA) helped them acquire some of the equipment they needed to get rolling. Now production has been so well received, they're pulling milk from another sheep dairy!
If you struggle for unique Valentine's ideas - worry no more. Wisconsin's cheesemakers are suggesting a cooperative cheese board might do the trick. Pam Jahnke shares suggestions from Crave Brothers Cheese in Waterloo who collaborated with other Wisconsin cheesemakers for unique flavor combinations to satisfy any couple, at any level of the relationship stage.
Markets on Wall Street and Chicago have been hit with erratic trading. John Heinberg breaks down some of the fundamentals rocking the boat. It started with Trump asking China for more bean sales. Is it happening? With algorithms driving daily trade, farms need tools in place. You're not as fast as a computer executing sales.

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