You can donate to the cause at:  hungertaskforce.org/dairy

You can donate to the cause at:&nbsp; hungertaskforce.org/dairy

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!

Hunger Task Force Commits Up To $1 Million In WI Dairy Purchases

Christine Fossen-Rades, teacher at Menominee Indian School District,  is sparking something powerful in her classroom—curiosity, connection, and a deep respect for tradition. What started with students making tea has quietly grown into a much larger movement, one driven by a simple question and a strong desire to be more self-reliant. These students are taking the lead, planting the seeds—literally and figuratively—for a project that ties together culture, community, and sustainability. Rades shares more about how the project came together and what it means for the school and community.

Christine Fossen-Rades, teacher at Menominee Indian School District, &nbsp;is sparking something powerful in her classroom&mdash;curiosity, connection, and a deep respect for tradition. What started with students making tea has quietly grown into a much larger movement, one driven by a simple question and a strong desire to be more self-reliant. These students are taking the lead, planting the seeds&mdash;literally and figuratively&mdash;for a project that ties together culture, community, and sustainability. Rades shares more about how the project came together and what it means for the school and community.

A Garden for the Generations: Students Lead Medicinal Plant Project

Congress was supposed to write an updated Farm Bill in 2023, but it didn't happen. Two, one-year extensions later, and agricultural groups continue to push for the new legislation as farmers operate under a 2018 version.

Steve Etka, policy director for the Midwest Dairy Coalition, says there's a lot of talk about splitting the Farm Bill up, and doing some of the work through budget reconciliation -- a fast-track legislative procedure used to pass certain budget-related bills -- a process Congress is in right now.

"(It's) a big macro bill that deals with taxes, and deals with border security, and deals with energy, and they're talking about having it deal with some of the provisions of the Farm Bill as well," Etka explains.

"We're kind of waiting to see what unfolds there. Our main message is that the safety net for dairy needs to be updated."

He notes the farm economy has changed since 2018, including production and average herd size, requiring an updated structure to the Dairy Margin Coverage.

"We're hoping that, whether it's through reconciliation or a full-scale farm bill, those provisions can be included," Etka says.

House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson told farm broadcasters this week of his plan to include a "down payment" on the Farm Bill in budget reconciliation. While the text and details are not finalized, he implied that the skinnier version of the Farm Bill would include Title I provisions, such as an updated Dairy Margin Coverage program.

Congress was supposed to write an updated Farm Bill in 2023, but it didn't happen. Two, one-year extensions later, and agricultural groups continue to push for the new legislation as farmers operate under a 2018 version.
Steve Etka, policy director for the Midwest Dairy Coalition, says there's a lot of talk about splitting the Farm Bill up, and doing some of the work through budget reconciliation -- a fast-track legislative procedure used to pass certain budget-related bills -- a process Congress is in right now.
"(It's) a big macro bill that deals with taxes, and deals with border security, and deals with energy, and they're talking about having it deal with some of the provisions of the Farm Bill as well," Etka explains.
"We're kind of waiting to see what unfolds there. Our main message is that the safety net for dairy needs to be updated."
He notes the farm economy has changed since 2018, including production and average herd size, requiring an updated structure to the Dairy Margin Coverage.
"We're hoping that, whether it's through reconciliation or a full-scale farm bill, those provisions can be included," Etka says.
House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson told farm broadcasters this week of his plan to include a "down payment" on the Farm Bill in budget reconciliation. While the text and details are not finalized, he implied that the skinnier version of the Farm Bill would include Title I provisions, such as an updated Dairy Margin Coverage program.

A Farm Bill - In Pieces?

This week the National Farmers Union brought farmer members from across the U.S. to Washington to amplify the need for a 5 year Farm Bill.  Stephanie Hoff caught up with the President of the NFU, Rod Larew, and Wisconsin Farmers Union member. Larew says right now the volatility in the farm economy has him concerned. Larew is pushing for Congress to get a strong, five-year Farm Bill passed to provide some certainty for American farmers. This was the message echoed by Wisconsin Farmers Union. Government Relations Director Michelle Ramirez-White says the timing was perfect because Congress is marking up the Farm Bill during budget reconciliation. Rami Aburomia was among the delegation. He’s an apple grower outside of Madison. He recently joined Wisconsin Farmers Union to advocate for better safety nets for specialty crop growers. 

Chilly start to our Thursday but more sunshine on the way.  Stu Muck says the northwoods may still see a little frost even into Friday.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged during their May meeting.  While the U.S. economy as a whole may not be in a recession, some facets of Wisconsin agriculture are already there.  Sam Miller is a Principal with Fox Street Advisors in Appleton.  He believes that grain markets have been in a recession for a while.  He's watching the 10 year bond as an indicator of where the market's going.

While tariffs are what many are focused on, Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, is working on keeping relationships in place.  He explains that about a year ago the state invested in bringing trade partners from Indonesia to Wisconsin.  Now, they've asked Wisconsin to visit them, and Romanski did!

Jan Prins from EverAg joins Pam Jahnke.  Prins grew up on a family dairy in Washington state.  He says the market was surprised this week with huge sales of cheese to the export market.  Prins explains that right now the U.S. is at a price advantage over the EU as they wait for their milk production trend to improve.

This week the National Farmers Union brought farmer members from across the U.S. to Washington to amplify the need for a 5 year Farm Bill.&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff caught up with the President of the NFU, Rod Larew, and Wisconsin Farmers Union member. Larew says right now the volatility in the farm economy has him concerned. Larew is pushing for Congress to get a strong, five-year Farm Bill passed to provide some certainty for American farmers. This was the message echoed by Wisconsin Farmers Union. Government Relations Director Michelle Ramirez-White says the timing was perfect because Congress is marking up the Farm Bill during budget reconciliation.&nbsp;Rami Aburomia was among the delegation. He&rsquo;s an apple grower outside of Madison. He recently joined Wisconsin Farmers Union to advocate for better safety nets for specialty crop growers. Chilly start to our Thursday but more sunshine on the way.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the northwoods may still see a little frost even into Friday. The Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged during their May meeting.&nbsp; While the U.S. economy as a whole may not be in a recession, some facets of Wisconsin agriculture are already there.&nbsp; Sam Miller is a Principal with Fox Street Advisors in Appleton.&nbsp; He believes that grain markets have been in a recession for a while.&nbsp; He's watching the 10 year bond as an indicator of where the market's going. While tariffs are what many are focused on, Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, is working on keeping relationships in place.&nbsp; He explains that about a year ago the state invested in bringing trade partners from Indonesia to Wisconsin.&nbsp; Now, they've asked Wisconsin to visit them, and Romanski did!
Jan Prins from EverAg joins Pam Jahnke.&nbsp; Prins grew up on a family dairy in Washington state.&nbsp; He says the market was surprised this week with huge sales of cheese to the export market.&nbsp; Prins explains that right now the U.S. is at a price advantage over the EU as they wait for their milk production trend to improve.

Hunger Task Force Commits Up To $1 Million In WI Dairy Purchases

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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