Wisconsin dairy farmer Carolyn Alsteen joins the show to discuss the Born to Dairy campaign, a vibrant celebration of the grit, humor, and creativity that defines America’s Dairyland. Discover how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is putting checkoff dollars to work, using unique personas to bridge the gap with consumers, and highlighting the authentic stories behind your favorite milk, cheese, and butter. DFW is preparing to launch 24 new farmer personas in 2026, including Carolyn's: Churned & Burned Farm Fit Farmer!

Wisconsin dairy farmer Carolyn Alsteen joins the show to discuss the Born to Dairy campaign, a vibrant celebration of the grit, humor, and creativity that defines America&rsquo;s Dairyland. Discover how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is putting checkoff dollars to work, using unique personas to bridge the gap with consumers, and highlighting the authentic stories behind your favorite milk, cheese, and butter. DFW is preparing to launch 24 new farmer personas in 2026, including Carolyn's: Churned &amp; Burned Farm Fit Farmer!

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!

MacGyvers, Moomaws & Farm Fit Farmers Showcase Human Side Of Dairy

Stephanie Hoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety & Inspection Service Administrator Justin Ransom explore the reorganization within the USDA aimed at decentralizing leadership and empowering rural meat processors. Ransom discusses the potential redrawing of "small" and "very small" business designations and how these changes could unlock new federal resources for local entrepreneurs. In addition, there are new overtime fee reductions for processors.

Stephanie Hoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety &amp; Inspection Service Administrator Justin Ransom explore the reorganization within the USDA aimed at decentralizing leadership and empowering rural meat processors. Ransom discusses the potential redrawing of "small" and "very small" business designations and how these changes could unlock new federal resources for local entrepreneurs. In addition, there are new overtime fee reductions for processors.

USDA Shifts Focus To Field Leadership & Small Processors

Some Wisconsin farm workers are already active!  Stephanie Hoff finds out how the honeybee population has mobilized from Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, WI State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. During mid-to-late February, nearly every migratory commercial bee colony in the U.S. is located in California for almond pollination. Beyond the risk of "bee spills" (truck accidents), moving bees long distances can lead to hive suffocation or overheating due to improper ventilation. Placing bees in single-crop environments, like almond groves, can lead to nutritional deficiencies because the bees lack a diverse range of pollen and nectar. Much like wood ticks carry Lyme disease to humans, Varroa mites can vector over 20 different viruses to honeybees, including the virulent deformed wing virus. Exposure to pesticides—common near agriculture or golf courses—can lower a bee's immune system, making them more susceptible to viruses and mites. While small flowers are great, "big blooms" from trees and shrubs are particularly beneficial for honeybees because they provide a large amount of resources in one location. 

Wisconsin weather woes continue with more rain in the forecast, and cooling temperatures.  Stu Muck explains that there's even a chance of snow for the weekend in some areas of the state.

Gardeners are just as frustrated as farmers about the weather delay's we're working through.  Kiley Allan talks with Scott Trudell who staffs the Plant Desk for The Bruce Company. While spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are hardy enough to survive fluctuating temperatures, deciduous shrubs (such as lilacs and crab apples) are more vulnerable. If temperatures drop below the mid-20s, these should be covered with blankets or row covers to prevent damage.  Trudell says greenhouse inventory is arriving earlier than usual this year, featuring cold-tolerant flowers like pansies, sweet alyssum, and the increasingly popular hellebores.

Be patient.  That's the advice Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist is sharing with farmers.  Conley tells Pam Jahnke that with the high input costs operators are facing this year, the last thing you'll want to do is "mud in" the crop.

Some Wisconsin farm workers are already active!&nbsp; Stephanie Hoff finds out how the honeybee population has mobilized from Brooke Nikkila-Sommerfeldt, WI State Apiarist and Apiary Program Coordinator. During mid-to-late February, nearly every migratory commercial bee colony in the U.S. is located in California for almond pollination. Beyond the risk of "bee spills" (truck accidents), moving bees long distances can lead to hive suffocation or overheating due to improper ventilation. Placing bees in single-crop environments, like almond groves, can lead to nutritional deficiencies because the bees lack a diverse range of pollen and nectar. Much like wood ticks carry Lyme disease to humans, Varroa mites can vector over 20 different viruses to honeybees, including the virulent deformed wing virus. Exposure to pesticides&mdash;common near agriculture or golf courses&mdash;can lower a bee's immune system, making them more susceptible to viruses and mites. While small flowers are great, "big blooms" from trees and shrubs are particularly beneficial for honeybees because they provide a large amount of resources in one location.&nbsp;
Wisconsin weather woes continue with more rain in the forecast, and cooling temperatures.&nbsp; Stu Muck explains that there's even a chance of snow for the weekend in some areas of the state.
Gardeners are just as frustrated as farmers about the weather delay's we're working through.&nbsp; Kiley Allan talks with Scott Trudell who staffs the Plant Desk for The Bruce Company. While spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are hardy enough to survive fluctuating temperatures, deciduous shrubs (such as lilacs and crab apples) are more vulnerable. If temperatures drop below the mid-20s, these should be covered with blankets or row covers to prevent damage.&nbsp; Trudell says greenhouse inventory is arriving earlier than usual this year, featuring cold-tolerant flowers like pansies, sweet alyssum, and the increasingly popular hellebores.
Be patient.&nbsp; That's the advice Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist is sharing with farmers.&nbsp; Conley tells Pam Jahnke that with the high input costs operators are facing this year, the last thing you'll want to do is "mud in" the crop.

One Farm Worker Is Already Busy Plus Gardeners Are Flush With Questions

There may not be any seed in the ground (yet), but Wisconsin is looking at potentially more acres for soybeans this year!

Dr. Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist says it's a good time to consider entering the 2026 WI Soybean Marketing Board's Yield Contest.  Planning where you want to plant your contest field, the variety you select, seed treatment, fertilizer - are all in the works.  That's ideal if you want to maximize your yield potential.

Conley says every year there's more growers from different areas of the state that engage in the contest.  Of course there's cash prizes for the top winners in various categories, but there's also a treasure trove of information everyone wins.  He says in 2025 there were 3 growers that broke the 100 bushel to the acre average.  Sharing that information is another magnet for growers.

The contest is funded by farmer checkoff dollars through the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.

There may not be any seed in the ground (yet), but Wisconsin is looking at potentially more acres for soybeans this year!
<a href="https://badgercropnetwork.com/just-facts-jack-soybean-planting-date-seeding-rate-seed-treatment-recommendations/">Dr. Shawn Conley,</a> UW-Madison Extension Soybean Specialist says it's a good time to consider entering the 2026 <a href="https://wisoybean.org/wsa/yield-contest/">WI Soybean Marketing Board's Yield Contest</a>.&nbsp; Planning where you want to plant your contest field, the variety you select, seed treatment, fertilizer - are all in the works.&nbsp; That's ideal if you want to maximize your yield potential.
Conley says every year there's more growers from different areas of the state that engage in the contest.&nbsp; Of course there's cash prizes for the top winners in various categories, but there's also a treasure trove of information everyone wins.&nbsp; He says in 2025 there were 3 growers that broke the 100 bushel to the acre average.&nbsp; Sharing that information is another magnet for growers.
The contest is funded by farmer checkoff dollars through the <a href="https://wisoybean.org/wsmb/">Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.</a>

MacGyvers, Moomaws & Farm Fit Farmers Showcase Human Side Of Dairy

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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