As the agricultural landscape faces shifting federal priorities, the Grassland 2.0 project is pivoting toward private partnerships and innovative tools to demonstrate that grazing is a profitable practice.

Central to this effort is the Heifer Grazing Compass, a digital tool designed to help dairy producers calculate the benefits of transition. By keeping heifers on pasture rather than shipping them out of state to feedlots, farmers can significantly reduce overhead, explains Sarah Lloyd, value chain coordinator for the Grassland 2.0 project at UW-Madison. She sat down with Stephanie Hoff at Dairy Strong. 

As the agricultural landscape faces shifting federal priorities, the Grassland 2.0 project is pivoting toward private partnerships and innovative tools to demonstrate that grazing is a profitable practice.
Central to this effort is the Heifer Grazing Compass, a digital tool designed to help dairy producers calculate the benefits of transition. By keeping heifers on pasture rather than shipping them out of state to feedlots, farmers can significantly reduce overhead, explains Sarah Lloyd, value chain coordinator for the Grassland 2.0 project at UW-Madison. She sat down with Stephanie Hoff at Dairy Strong.&nbsp;

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!

Grazing The Way To Profitability

Coming off the success at the World Championship Cheese Contest, Dave Buholzer of Klondike Cheese tells Stephanie Hoff about his family's 100-year journey. From milk cans in 1925 to its current status as a world-class, multi-generational powerhouse, Klondike is an example of how cheesemaking has evolved. Buholzer discusses the evolution of dairy technology, the strategic shifts in cheesemaking to meet modern consumer demands, and the unique dynamics of running a successful business with siblings and cousins.

Coming off the success at the World Championship Cheese Contest, Dave Buholzer of Klondike Cheese tells Stephanie Hoff about his family's 100-year journey. From milk cans in 1925 to its current status as a world-class, multi-generational powerhouse, Klondike is an example of how cheesemaking has evolved. Buholzer discusses the evolution of dairy technology, the strategic shifts in cheesemaking to meet modern consumer demands, and the unique dynamics of running a successful business with siblings and cousins.

After Contest Success, Klondike Reflects On A Century Of Heritage

Wisconsin has adopted a waiver suspension on testing for Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome(PRRS) as well as Porcine Epidemic Virus (PEDv) in the states hog population.

The waiver brings some relief to the states pork producers after uncertainty on how far a proposed rule revision would advance.  The draft rule was approved by the DATCP Board on January 29th, and by the Governor on February 6th. It was submitted to the Legislative Reference Bureau on February 19 for further action. However, before the rule can become final, it must complete a legislative review and be published in the register. That process can take several weeks, sometimes months.  That's where the state's pork industry got nervous about not seeing the measure adopted.


“With spring movements and show pig exhibitions coming up quickly, WPA’s ask to WDATCP was to waive the current PRRS and PEDv testing requirements while we wait for final publication of the rule in order to reduce the economic burden associated with the testing,” stated Keri Retallick, Executive Vice President.

Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association tells Pam Jahnke that it will make marketing of hogs in the state much less complicated.  Larson said that because of the requirement, they were forced to create two separate auction systems.  One for hogs that were going to the meat market, and the other for hogs that were going back to the farm as replacements or for further feeding.  

Larson says that the rule also put Wisconsin pork producers at a disadvantage since surrounding states never implemented testing requirements for their producers.
“Our thanks to State Veterinarian Dr. Konkle for her willingness to accept the waiver and listen to our producers in an effort to reduce burdensome testing that did not advance the intent of the rule to enhance swine health,” said Retallick. “WPA will continue to work closely with producers, veterinarians, and industry partners to safeguard herd health while supporting Wisconsin’s agricultural industry.”
The waiver, effective immediately, will remain in effect until the final rule is published. Wisconsin’s pork producers are encouraged to maintain strong biosecurity measures and promptly report any suspected cases of PRRS or PEDv to their herd veterinarian.

Wisconsin has adopted a waiver suspension on testing for Porcine Reproductive &amp; Respiratory Syndrome(PRRS) as well as Porcine Epidemic Virus (PEDv) in the states hog population.
The waiver brings some relief to the states pork producers after uncertainty on how far a proposed rule revision would advance.&nbsp; The draft rule was approved by the DATCP Board on January 29th, and by the Governor on February 6th. It was submitted to the Legislative Reference Bureau on February 19 for further action. However, before the rule can become final, it must complete a legislative review and be published in the register. That process can take several weeks, sometimes months.&nbsp; That's where the state's pork industry got nervous about not seeing the measure adopted.
 &ldquo;With spring movements and show pig exhibitions coming up quickly, WPA&rsquo;s ask to WDATCP was to waive the current PRRS and PEDv testing requirements while we wait for final publication of the rule in order to reduce the economic burden associated with the testing,&rdquo; stated Keri Retallick, Executive Vice President.
Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association tells Pam Jahnke that it will make marketing of hogs in the state much less complicated.&nbsp; Larson said that because of the requirement, they were forced to create two separate auction systems.&nbsp; One for hogs that were going to the meat market, and the other for hogs that were going back to the farm as replacements or for further feeding.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Larson says that the rule also put Wisconsin pork producers at a disadvantage since surrounding states never implemented testing requirements for their producers. &ldquo;Our thanks to State Veterinarian Dr. Konkle for her willingness to accept the waiver and listen to our producers in an effort to reduce burdensome testing that did not advance the intent of the rule to enhance swine health,&rdquo; said Retallick. &ldquo;WPA will continue to work closely with producers, veterinarians, and industry partners to safeguard herd health while supporting Wisconsin&rsquo;s agricultural industry.&rdquo; The waiver, effective immediately, will remain in effect until the final rule is published. Wisconsin&rsquo;s pork producers are encouraged to maintain strong biosecurity measures and promptly report any suspected cases of PRRS or PEDv to their herd veterinarian.

What Does DATCP Waiver On PRRS/PEDv Testing Mean For WI Pork?

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance or DBIA gives out grants every year to businesses within the dairy industry to help them start, grow, and renovate. One of the more unique recipients makes vodka using sheep whey. Scott Kring, a co-owner of Birch Point Distillery in Westby, shares how this process works and what the grant was used for at their facility.

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance or DBIA gives out grants every year to businesses within the dairy industry to help them start, grow, and renovate. One of the more unique recipients makes vodka using sheep whey. Scott Kring, a co-owner of Birch Point Distillery in Westby, shares how this process works and what the grant was used for at their facility.

Grazing The Way To Profitability

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