Wisconsin beef producers check-off dollars are at work with some fun and important activities.

Wisconsin has a new way to celebrate one of its most iconic dining traditions. The Wisconsin Beef Council, in partnership with Gather Wisconsin, has launched the Prime Rib Trail — a statewide guide to supper clubs and restaurants serving this timeless cut of beef. 

The trail highlights favorites across the state, from Northwoods classics to hidden gems in small towns, and was built with input from beef lovers who shared their go-to Prime Rib spots earlier this year.

Wisconsin is also welcoming a group of visitors from Central America to investigate all facets of the states beef production.  Funded in part by a grant through the WI Ag Export Council, the group will tour beef producers farms, beef harvesting and processing facilities, as well as food distribution partners during the adventure in northeast Wisconsin.

All of these activities are made through the beef check-off program.  Vaassen also explains the budget process just completed by the 22 member WBC board to give financial guidance for 2026.

Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council joins Pam Jahnke for the update.

Wisconsin beef producers check-off dollars are at work with some fun and important activities.
Wisconsin has a new way to celebrate one of its most iconic dining traditions. The Wisconsin Beef Council, in partnership with Gather Wisconsin, has launched the <a href="https://www.beeftips.com/resources/prime-rib-trail">Prime Rib Trail</a> &mdash; a statewide guide to supper clubs and restaurants serving this timeless cut of beef. The trail highlights favorites across the state, from Northwoods classics to hidden gems in small towns, and was built with input from beef lovers who shared their go-to Prime Rib spots earlier this year.
Wisconsin is also welcoming a group of visitors from Central America to investigate all facets of the states beef production.&nbsp; Funded in part by a grant through the WI Ag Export Council, the group will tour beef producers farms, beef harvesting and processing facilities, as well as food distribution partners during the adventure in northeast Wisconsin.
All of these activities are made through the beef check-off program.&nbsp; Vaassen also explains the budget process just completed by the 22 member <a href="https://www.beeftips.com/about-us/board-of-directors">WBC board</a> to give financial guidance for 2026.
Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council joins Pam Jahnke for the update.

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

Every time a Wisconsin farmer sells an animal, a portion of that sale is dedicated to that commodities check-off program.  The program directs those funds toward research, education and promotion.

The Wisconsin beef industry includes not only cow/calf producers, feedlot operations, and breeding operations - but it also includes the depth of Wisconsin's dairy industry since many of those cows, steers, and calves will ultimately become a part of the beef industry.

Checkoff Chat, sponsored by the Wisconsin Beef Council and Equity Livestock Sales Assocation, keeps producers and consumers aware of where money's being spent and how consumers are reacting to their product.

Checkoff Chat

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

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

Launching The Prime Rib Trail And Central American Guests Coming To WI

Wisconsin farms feature a lot of different crops and animals, but despite our diversity - it doesn't normally include reindeer.  Reindeer, otherwise known as caribou, take center stage for a lot of stories during the holiday season.  Ben Jarboe takes a fun adventure to find out more about what reindeer eat and need before their grand flight.  He gets the details from Jeff Phillips, owner of Reindeer Games in Erin, Wisconsin.  Phillips explains how the animals nutritional needs change from winter to summer, and how adapt they are to fit their conditions.

Winds have started to pick up around Wisconsin and that will be the story today.  Stu Muck says wind chills will be part of the conversation today with improving temperatures into next week.

There's a lot of conversations happening about buy local and knowing your farmer.  The Wisconsin Farmers Union committed to incorporating locally produced ingredients in their convention menu this year.  Not an easy feat!  Stephanie Hoff talks to Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects with the Wisconsin Farmers Union.  

The organization chose to "put their money where their mouth is" by reinvesting their convention budget directly into the hands of the family farmers they represent. For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. They fed 280 attendees seven meals each. The event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients from 40 farmer members. Rather than asking the hotel to change its entire menu, organizers worked with Chula Vista’s chefs to swap local ingredients—like beef, eggs, and cheese—into the resort’s existing recipes to make the transition easier for the kitchen staff. By using "procurement partners" (such as Organic Valley and the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative), the organization was able to aggregate products from many small farms into fewer deliveries, making large-scale local sourcing more efficient. Despite the convention taking place in December, the meals featured a wide variety of local products, including storage crops (potatoes and garlic), frozen roasted vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, and diverse dairy products. Seeing their farm names and logos on event signage and knowing their products were being served significantly boosted member morale. 

Wisconsin farms feature a lot of different crops and animals, but despite our diversity - it doesn't normally include reindeer.&nbsp; Reindeer, otherwise known as caribou, take center stage for a lot of stories during the holiday season.&nbsp; Ben Jarboe takes a fun adventure to find out more about what reindeer eat and need before their grand flight.&nbsp; He gets the details from Jeff Phillips, owner of Reindeer Games in Erin, Wisconsin.&nbsp; Phillips explains how the&nbsp;animals nutritional needs change from winter to summer, and how adapt they are to fit their conditions.
Winds have started to pick up around Wisconsin and that will be the story today.&nbsp; Stu Muck says wind chills will be part of the conversation today with improving temperatures into next week.
There's a lot of conversations happening about buy local and knowing your farmer.&nbsp; The Wisconsin Farmers Union committed to incorporating locally produced ingredients in their convention menu this year.&nbsp; Not an easy feat!&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff talks to Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects with the Wisconsin Farmers Union.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The organization chose to "put their money where their mouth is" by reinvesting their convention budget directly into the hands of the family farmers they represent. For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. They fed 280 attendees seven meals each. The event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients from 40 farmer members. Rather than asking the hotel to change its entire menu, organizers worked with Chula Vista&rsquo;s chefs to swap local ingredients&mdash;like beef, eggs, and cheese&mdash;into the resort&rsquo;s existing recipes to make the transition easier for the kitchen staff. By using "procurement partners" (such as Organic Valley and the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative), the organization was able to aggregate products from many small farms into fewer deliveries, making large-scale local sourcing more efficient. Despite the convention taking place in December, the meals featured a wide variety of local products, including storage crops (potatoes and garlic), frozen roasted vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, and diverse dairy products. Seeing their farm names and logos on event signage and knowing their products were being served significantly boosted member morale.&nbsp;

What's A Reindeer's Ration And By The Numbers - Feeding Local

"The number one issue that whenever I talk to farmers has always been labor," says Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. "We're not going to be able to survive if we do not have labor needs met."

Wenzlaff explains that the traditional model of family-run operations has been upended via economic pressure or lack of interest from younger generations. This has forced the industry to look toward comprehensive federal reform as the only path forward.

"The number one issue that whenever I talk to farmers has always been labor," says Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. "We're not going to be able to survive if we do not have labor needs met."
Wenzlaff explains that the traditional model of family-run operations has been upended via economic pressure or lack of interest from younger generations. This has forced the industry to look toward comprehensive federal reform as the only path forward.

WFBF Sounds Alarm Amid Labor Shortages

The Wisconsin Farmers Union concluded its 95th annual convention, celebrating a year defined by both legislative hurdles and significant internal growth. 

Executive Director Danielle Endvick, who took the helm in May, tells Mid-West Farm Report that despite a volatile federal and state landscape, the organization is "busting at the seams" with new energy.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union concluded its 95th annual convention, celebrating a year defined by both legislative hurdles and significant internal growth.&nbsp;
Executive Director Danielle Endvick, who took the helm in May, tells Mid-West Farm Report that despite a volatile federal and state landscape, the organization is "busting at the seams" with new energy.

Launching The Prime Rib Trail And Central American Guests Coming To WI

Checkoff Chat

In 2 playlist(s)

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips