Wisconsin has gotten its first confirmed case of HPAI in a dairy herd in Dodge County, and that may leave a lot of you wondering, what does this mean for our cheese? Grace Atherton, the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association Communications Director, is here to share what these processing plants are doing to make sure our dairy foods remain safe. She says that all dairy products are safe to consume and prior history shows the demand will not waver.

Wisconsin has gotten its first confirmed case of HPAI in a dairy herd in Dodge County, and that may leave a lot of you wondering, what does this mean for our cheese? Grace Atherton, the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association Communications Director, is here to share what these processing plants are doing to make sure our dairy foods remain safe. She says that all dairy products are safe to consume and prior history shows the demand will not waver.

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!

Pasteurization Keeps Dairy Products Safe After HPAI Detection

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment.

Higher-than-average temperatures mid-week may bring some precipitation, only to freeze later, says ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

Grace Atherton with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association emphasizes that pasteurization effectively inactivates the bird flu virus, ensuring that commercially sold milk and cheese remain safe for consumption. Dairy processors are prioritizing food and employee safety with strict procedures.

The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program has a deadline this week. Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, says the first thing farmers need to do is submit an acreage report by Dec. 19.

Market advisor John Heinberg discussed the minimal market reaction to Wisconsin's first dairy cattle bird flu case, while noting that grain markets are entering a seasonal window that typically offers price support and rally opportunities for corn and soybean farmers. He emphasized that current rallies should be used to protect against downward pressure ahead of the South American crop forecast.

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment.
Higher-than-average temperatures mid-week may bring some precipitation, only to freeze later, says ag meteorologist Stu Muck.
Grace Atherton with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association emphasizes that pasteurization effectively inactivates the bird flu virus, ensuring that commercially sold milk and cheese remain safe for consumption. Dairy processors are prioritizing food and employee safety with strict procedures.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program has a deadline this week. Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, says the first thing farmers need to do is submit an acreage report by Dec. 19.
Market advisor John Heinberg discussed the minimal market reaction to Wisconsin's first dairy cattle bird flu case, while noting that grain markets are entering a seasonal window that typically offers price support and rally opportunities for corn and soybean farmers. He emphasized that current rallies should be used to protect against downward pressure ahead of the South American crop forecast.

Assessing Cheese Market, Bird Flu Impact & Grain Outlook

It's not just soybeans caught in the crosshairs of tariffs. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is battling against tariffs and phytosanitary challenges on the global scene, too. Dan Halstrom is the CEO of USMEF. He visits with Bob Bosold about the challenges and opportunities he sees. Halstrom notes that while some markets like China are still throwing up obstacles, there are still areas like Central America and regions of Africa that hold tremendous promise for U.S. meat products.

Warmer weather is on its way, but it brings gusty winds. Stu Muck says the warmer weather will put a dent in the snowpack around the state by later this week.

Wisconsin detected its first case of H5N1 and announced the findings on Sunday. Pam Jahnke gets the details on what consumers should know from Adam Brock, administrator of the Food Safety and Recreation Dept. at DATCP. Brock says with the rigid system Wisconsin put in place earlier this year, the impacted cow/herd was detected before milk left the farm. Brock also reiterates that even milk impacted by H5N1 is safe for human consumption once pasteurized.

It's a different dairy story from the current Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. She visits with Stephanie Hoff about how real Wisconsin butter adds a delicious element to the holiday season. Hagenow reminds consumers that if they want to know their dairy comes from Wisconsin, look for the "Proudly Wisconsin" badge or the number 55 on the dairy packaging. That tells you the product is Wisconsin-based. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

It's not just soybeans caught in the crosshairs of tariffs. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is battling against tariffs and phytosanitary challenges on the global scene, too. Dan Halstrom is the CEO of USMEF. He visits with Bob Bosold about the challenges and opportunities he sees. Halstrom notes that while some markets like China are still throwing up obstacles, there are still areas like Central America and regions of Africa that hold tremendous promise for U.S. meat products. Warmer weather is on its way, but it brings gusty winds. Stu Muck says the warmer weather will put a dent in the snowpack around the state by later this week.
Wisconsin detected its first case of H5N1 and announced the findings on Sunday. Pam Jahnke gets the details on what consumers should know from Adam Brock, administrator of the Food Safety and Recreation Dept. at DATCP. Brock says with the rigid system Wisconsin put in place earlier this year, the impacted cow/herd was detected before milk left the farm. Brock also reiterates that even milk impacted by H5N1 is safe for human consumption once pasteurized.
It's a different dairy story from the current Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. She visits with Stephanie Hoff about how real Wisconsin butter adds a delicious element to the holiday season. Hagenow reminds consumers that if they want to know their dairy comes from Wisconsin, look for the "Proudly Wisconsin" badge or the number 55 on the dairy packaging. That tells you the product is Wisconsin-based. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Gets A Handle On First Bird Flu Case In Dairy Herd

Sarah Hagenow, the 78th Alice in Dairyland, stamped her passport when she went to Shanghai, China with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Kiley Allan catches up with Sarah and learns about her favorite parts of the trip.


It's about to get colder. Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck walks us through our forecast. He reminds us to bundle up if you're going outside this weekend.


The intricacies of war can leave soil unhealthy, and action must be taken to ensure agriculture production is restored. Ben Jarboe talks to Mike McNeill, a soil scientist, who is helping farmers in Ukraine build soil health amid the war with Russia.


The iconic Wisconsin Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition since the early 1900s. Darrin Smith is the Superintendent of the Building Grounds at the State Capitol. He told Stephanie Hoff about the journey of this year's tree.


It's time again for another Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along.  This ride along focuses on the technology and advancements today's Wisconsin farmers are using going into 2026. Today Pam Jahnke travels to Malta, IL to find out what's happening at the Syngenta Seeds Research & Development Innovation Center.  Matt Dolch is the Corn Product Manager for Syngenta.  While he started as an intern years ago, today Dolch is excited about the new technology Syngenta's bringing to the market by fall of 2026 in combating corn rootworm.  Paid for by Syngenta.

Sarah Hagenow, the 78th Alice in Dairyland, stamped her passport when she went to&nbsp;Shanghai,&nbsp;China with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Kiley Allan catches up with Sarah and learns about her favorite parts of the trip.
 It's about to get colder. Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck walks us through our forecast. He reminds us to bundle up if you're going outside this weekend.
 The intricacies&nbsp;of war can leave soil unhealthy, and action must be taken to ensure agriculture production is restored. Ben Jarboe talks to Mike McNeill, a soil scientist, who is helping farmers in Ukraine build soil health amid the war with Russia.
 The iconic Wisconsin Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition since the early 1900s. Darrin Smith is the Superintendent of the Building Grounds at the State Capitol. He told Stephanie Hoff about the journey of this year's tree.
 It's time again for another Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along.&nbsp; This ride along focuses on the technology and advancements today's Wisconsin farmers are using going into 2026. Today Pam Jahnke travels to Malta, IL to find out what's happening at the Syngenta Seeds Research &amp; Development Innovation Center.&nbsp; Matt Dolch is the Corn Product Manager for Syngenta.&nbsp; While he started as an intern years ago, today Dolch is excited about the new technology Syngenta's bringing to the market by fall of 2026 in combating corn rootworm.&nbsp; Paid for by Syngenta.

Pasteurization Keeps Dairy Products Safe After HPAI Detection

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