When the cold weather hits, and football is on TV, the holiday gatherings kick into high gear… that’s when consumers are smothering everything in cheese, making it a busy time of year for cheese processors. Pine River Pre-Pack President Ian Behm says between the FFA fruit boxes, flavor innovation, and the holidays… the cheese plant in Newton is in its prime time. They are also celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. And what a way to wrap up the year with record production and growing demand across their markets. They’re hoping to secure a win at the World Championship Cheese Competition in March here in Madison. You can also look forward to a new line of bold flavors coming out in 2024.

When the cold weather hits, and football is on TV, the holiday gatherings kick into high gear… that’s when consumers are smothering everything in cheese, making it a busy time of year for cheese processors. Pine River Pre-Pack President Ian Behm says between the FFA fruit boxes, flavor innovation, and the holidays… the cheese plant in Newton is in its prime time. They are also celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. And what a way to wrap up the year with record production and growing demand across their markets. They’re hoping to secure a win at the World Championship Cheese Competition in March here in Madison. You can also look forward to a new line of bold flavors coming out in 2024.

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!

It's Prime Time For Pine River Cheese

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has released a long-awaited final decision with reforms to pricing formulas used by the Federal Milk Marketing Order system.

“While not all of our proposals were included in the final decision, and we believe more could have been done to enhance the pricing formula, we are satisfied that the changes do not negatively impact our dairy farmer members," says Edge CEO Tim Trotter. "In aggregate, we believe the proposed reform would slightly decrease the minimum regulated price private milk buyers have to pay to pooled milk producers in the Upper Midwest order and would slightly increase the price to producers in the Central and Mideast orders. In all cases, we expect the impact on milk checks, after accounting for impact to over-order premiums, to be neutral or positive.”

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has released a long-awaited final decision with reforms to pricing formulas used by the Federal Milk Marketing Order system.
“While not all of our proposals were included in the final decision, and we believe more could have been done to enhance the pricing formula, we are satisfied that the changes do not negatively impact our dairy farmer members," says Edge CEO Tim Trotter. "In aggregate, we believe the proposed reform would slightly decrease the minimum regulated price private milk buyers have to pay to pooled milk producers in the Upper Midwest order and would slightly increase the price to producers in the Central and Mideast orders. In all cases, we expect the impact on milk checks, after accounting for impact to over-order premiums, to be neutral or positive.”

Edge Reacts To FMMO Final Decision

There's no doubt about it - Wisconsin has a lot of manure to manage year round.  Keeping track of where it goes is not only good fertilizer management, it's necessary nutrient management accountability.  Stephanie Hoff talks to a UW-Extension Specialist, Chris Clark, who's introducing a new app that makes it easier.  Manure Tracker App can advise applicators when they're in an area of a field that shouldn't have nutrients, as well as generate reports for NRCS and land conservation partners that elaborates on where nutrients did get applied and at what rates.

Warm in Kansas City where Pam Jahnke's at for the National Farm Broadcasting Convention.  Stu Muck says Wisconsin will be looking for a little rain within the next 24 hours.

With the early wrap to this year's harvest, used equipment of all types are starting to appear on auctions all across the country. Ashley Huhn joins Pam Jahnke from the Steffes Group to highlight a new partner they've acquired in Canada - and to amplify some of the equipment currently listed. Paid for by the Steffes Group.

Cooler weather has critters seeking shelter indoors.  Charitee Seebecker gets some tips on keeping them outside with Marcus Mueller, owner and operator of Skeedadle Critter Control.

There's no doubt about it - Wisconsin has a lot of manure to manage year round.  Keeping track of where it goes is not only good fertilizer management, it's necessary nutrient management accountability.  Stephanie Hoff talks to a UW-Extension Specialist, Chris Clark, who's introducing a new app that makes it easier.  Manure Tracker App can advise applicators when they're in an area of a field that shouldn't have nutrients, as well as generate reports for NRCS and land conservation partners that elaborates on where nutrients did get applied and at what rates.
Warm in Kansas City where Pam Jahnke's at for the National Farm Broadcasting Convention.  Stu Muck says Wisconsin will be looking for a little rain within the next 24 hours.
With the early wrap to this year's harvest, used equipment of all types are starting to appear on auctions all across the country. Ashley Huhn joins Pam Jahnke from the Steffes Group to highlight a new partner they've acquired in Canada - and to amplify some of the equipment currently listed. Paid for by the Steffes Group.
Cooler weather has critters seeking shelter indoors.  Charitee Seebecker gets some tips on keeping them outside with Marcus Mueller, owner and operator of Skeedadle Critter Control.

Keeping Critters Out And Making Sure Manure Goes Where It Should

Aztalan Bio, a leading ethanol producer, has made significant strides in refining its processes, according to CEO Jeff Oestmann. As the corn harvest comes in early this year, Oestmann notes that the crop's dry quality is beneficial. "Corn is coming out of the field very dry, which is great for maintaining the quality of the harvested grain," he says.

One of the key innovations at Aztalan Bio is their use of front-end dry fractionation, which sets them apart from other ethanol facilities. Oestmann explains, "This method allows us to separate all the constituents of the corn before it enters the distillation process, which results in a high-protein, low-fat product that is perfect for dairy rations." This process also allows them to produce corn germ, a byproduct that is valuable in poultry and livestock feed.

Additionally, the facility produces a wet distiller’s grain that also has high protein and low fat, beneficial for dairy and beef rations. "Farmers have responded positively to the quality of our dry distillers grains and other byproducts," Oestmann shares. "We've been in operation for about a year now, and the feedback has been great. The high fiber aspect of our product feeds well, and we are expanding our reach to areas further from our facility."

Aztalan Bio, a leading ethanol producer, has made significant strides in refining its processes, according to CEO Jeff Oestmann. As the corn harvest comes in early this year, Oestmann notes that the crop's dry quality is beneficial. "Corn is coming out of the field very dry, which is great for maintaining the quality of the harvested grain," he says.
One of the key innovations at Aztalan Bio is their use of front-end dry fractionation, which sets them apart from other ethanol facilities. Oestmann explains, "This method allows us to separate all the constituents of the corn before it enters the distillation process, which results in a high-protein, low-fat product that is perfect for dairy rations." This process also allows them to produce corn germ, a byproduct that is valuable in poultry and livestock feed.
Additionally, the facility produces a wet distiller’s grain that also has high protein and low fat, beneficial for dairy and beef rations. "Farmers have responded positively to the quality of our dry distillers grains and other byproducts," Oestmann shares. "We've been in operation for about a year now, and the feedback has been great. The high fiber aspect of our product feeds well, and we are expanding our reach to areas further from our facility."

It's Prime Time For Pine River Cheese

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