MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

It's National Lightning Awareness Week and Wisconsin farmers, golfers, gardeners, joggers should all heed the warnings.  In Wisconsin, more people have died by lightning strikes since 2006, than by tornadoes since 1986.  Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager, Wisconet and Lightning Data Specialist, National Lightning Safety Counci, explains how people can protect themselves, and farmers can protect their livestock and assets. Rain starts moving back in by late Tuesday night.  Stu Muck says it won't really amount to much but sets up a change in pattern that will bring very hot weather to the state by the weekend. A record breaking price on a tractor has gotten a lot of attention for the Steffes Auction Group.  Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that live auctions are still drawing a crowd with money to spend.  He explains the record sale.  Paid for by Steffes Group. While Wisconsin communities continue to struggle with the data center question, Texas is now regretting some of their decisions.  Sid Miller, Texas Ag Commissioner, says he hears about it every day.  To date, Texas is home to about 575 data centers that consume about 430 million gallons of water daily.  Miller contends they're overbuilt and using water resources most of Texas just doesn't have. Wisconsin crops are matching up about equal with other Midwest states as far as development.  John Heinberg joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.  Heinberg, with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, says that there's really no weather threat to get the market to move.  At the same time, South America's harvest is moving along smoothly bringing more product to the marketplace.  While the crop may be moving, Heinberg also explains the financial strain that South American farmers are facing as bankruptcies there increase.

At this year's Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, held at Redetzkes' No-Joke Dairy in Stratford, Wisconsin, they're serious about farm safety. Melissa Ploeckelman-Brown joins us. She's the Outreach Specialist for the National Farm Medicine Center. They're bringing the "FRESH Area" to Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. FRESH stands for Farm Rescue, Education, Safety, and Health. She tells us what we can expect.

At Wisconsin's 97th FFA Convention, 4 Stars Over Wisconsin were named. This honor comes from an evaluation of student's SAE. The winners are: Agribusiness: Oscar Stowell Waupun FFA; Agriscience: Owen Hemling, Beaver Dam FFA;  Agricultural Placement: Katelyn Wunder, Waterford FFA; Farmer: Liv Lucas, Greenwood FFA Kiley Allan sat down with Owen Hemling moments after the acheivement.

We start our morning with Jill Welke in Eau Claire! She catches up with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's Brad Olson about roundtable conversations that could shape agricultural policy.   Stu says we may have to dodge a little rain for Father's Day, but otherwise looking to be a sunny weekend!  Traditionally, Father's Day means family outings and bbqs. A recent report from CoBank says the grill isn't the only place people are choosing protein. Abbi (Prins) Groves is a Livestock Economist who says that meat snacks are rising in popularity. She predicts whether it's a short-term fad or a long-term trend. Sarah Hagenow stops in with a quick recipe that pairs June Dairy Month and Father's Day nicely. Hands-on learning doesn't stop after school. There are many career education opportunities that benefit from acting out scenarios. Brad Zellner from the Luxemburg Fire Department says old farm houses being prepared for demolition make great training opportunities for local crews. 

Hunger Task Force, based in Milwaukee, received a $2.5 million grant from the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection to connect Wisconsin farms with individuals who need a little extra assistance putting food on their plates.  Pam Jahnke helps people understand the scope of work being done through the grant with Jonathan Hansen, chief strategy officer at Hunger Task Force.  He explains the 180 different locations they help coordinate statewide.  Hansen says they're also accumulating names and contact information for Wisconsin farms looking to partner with the Hunger Task Force.  Hansen estimates that the network serves approximately 180,000 people every month. Showers should've moved through Wisconsin for now.  Stu Muck recaps some of the rainfall amounts over the past 24 hours.  He says temperatures will stay mild into the weekend when another chance of rain redevelops. It was an evening of honors for students, teachers, and adult leaders at the 97th Wisconsin State FFA Convention.  Kiley Allan was there.  Four amazing high school students were named as the "Stars Over Wisconsin" elite.  They will represent the state at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis later this year.  Allan congratulates the following Stars: Star in Agribusiness: Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA; Star in Agriscience: Owen Hemling, Beaver Dam FFA; Star in Agricultural Placement: Katelyn Wunder, Waterford FFA and Star Farmer: Liv Lucas, Greenwood FFA.  Hemling explains how his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has led him to a collegiate career he hopes to pursue at MIT.   The evening also brought the announcement of the 2026-27 State Officer Team.  Pam Jahnke congratulates:  Suki Gatica, Amery FFA Eli Bell, New Richmond FFA Josie Bailey, Tomah FFA Alyvia Ruegsegger, Black Hawk FFA Owen Moore, Mischicot FFA Rylee Brattlie, Cambridge FFA Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA Jordan Berg, Granton FFA Natalie Rieth, Oconto Falls FFA Owen Bronecki, Mayville FFA Meanwhile, Wisconsin dairy operators are watching the nonfat dry milk price waste away.  Collin Aardema, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk about that.  Aardema says the U.S. is still above the international price on nonfat, so more adjustment is coming.  He also updates us on the milk capacity that's been built, and is coming online.    

It's the gift that will keep giving!  Fox Valley Technical College just received a generous donation of land that they're already putting to work for students.  Kiley Allan gets the story from Paul Groell, Department Chair Natural Resources Program @ Fox Valley Technical College.  Fox Valley Technical College received an anonymous donation of a 160-acre plot of land, intended to preserve the habitat from development and serve as an educational tool for the school's two-year Natural Resources program. The property acts as a powerhouse of biodiversity, containing mixed forested areas, prairies, ponds, wetlands, and a navigable stream. This variety allows students to study forestry, soils, water and wildlife all in one location. Students are already utilizing the land as a safe place for practical coursework including chainsaw safety, tree limbing, trail maintenance, and wildlife data collection using camera traps. The program prepares students for versatile technician or wildland firefighting roles, and benefits from close partnerships with four-year institutions to offer an easy transfer path for students looking to continue their education after their associate degree. From hail to measurable rain - that's what Wisconsin saw on Tuesday.  There could be more of the same today!  Stu Muck shares the outlook on showers and thunderstorms that have already started moving into the state. Yes, Wisconsin FFA continues to grow, but finding teachers to execute the lesson plans connected to those chapters is tough.  Pam Jahnke visits with Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Association, about current worries going into the next school year.  She says they're already aware of 10 teacher retirements that will need to be filled.  While Zimmerman acknowledges that tools like experience based licensing have added some staff to schools, it doesn't negate the huge need for agriculture educators.  She says they currently have about 28,000 members statewide with 6 newly chartered chapters.  Zimmerman also says they're considering opening options to students as young as 5th grade to keep the pipeline full of potential members. From t-shirt designs to empowering women at the grill - the Wisconsin Beef Council is busy.  Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Director for the WI Beef Council takes a minute to recap some of the action so far this spring.  She explains how they enlisted top chefs to educate several female influencers about the finer points of using the grill.  Well the event was well received, however, she said they also learned that finding the right cuts of meat for the grill was a bit of a challenge for some of the women.  Fortunately, the chefs on hand and the resources at beeftips.com helped steer them in the right direction.  Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.

If you're taking the time, and spending the money to dine out, you want to know what you're getting.  Susan Quam, executive vice president of the WI Restaurant Association says information is power - even for restaurant menus.  Quam tells Pam Jahnke that today diners are looking for "clean labels" on menus.  The "buy local" mantra continues, and restaurants are complying.  Quam says heat and spice continue to be popular flavor profiles that attract shoppers, but there's other taste bud tempting options becoming popular in the state too.  Comfort foods and value menus are a magnet, and Quam says "smash burger" are showing up with many different options. Rain is back on the way to Wisconsin with some strong winds to boot.  Stu Muck says today you might actually feel a chill with winds that could gust up to 35 mph.  This cycle of weather continues for about the next 48 hours. I bet you never thought of an auctioneer as a partner in your estate plan.  It happens.  Ashly Huhn explains to Pam Jahnke how the Steffes Group many times gets involved in Section 1031 exchanges.  This helps land owners primarily avoid heavy taxes by finding other properties to invest in.  Paid for by Steffes Group. Monday was the "Day of Service" for approximately 700 Wisconsin FFA members in Madison before the 97th State FFA Convention.  Amanda Draxler, WI State FFA President, says that the hands on labor of those members, coupled with seeing the finished product gives them a real sense of accomplishment and giving back to their host community.  Draxler says there were about 11 different targeted activities within Dane County that mobilized the members.  From pulling weeds to building beds, it was an important staple for the convention attendees.  

New World Screw Worm.  It's all over agriculture headlines.  Could that worm ever make its way into Wisconsin and our livestock/pet population?  That's the question poised to P.J. Leisch, UW-Madison Extension Entomologist.  Leisch has been watching this worm for a while.  He tells Pam Jahnke that this insect has been around since at least the 60's in numbers that threatened livestock.  He says experience has taught researchers that trying to spray the insect away just isn't effective.  Bio controls like sterile male flies are the most successful way to manage this worm.  Leisch says Wisconsin's climate would be the ultimate demise of the worm if it did arrive.  It cannot survive below 40 degrees. Very mild temperatures start the week according to Stu Muck.  Winds will pick up and there is a chance of rain moving back in by Tuesday evening. We may be a little biased here in Wisconsin, but the best time of year is here. June Dairy Month is upon us. It's an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and honor the farmers, craftsmanship, and exceptional dairy products that make Wisconsin dairy truly special. Today, Kiley Allan catches up with 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Dairy isn't just something we produce here in Wisconsin. In fact, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin say it best: it's something we're born to do. We're Born to Dairy™. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Celebrating 250 years!  It's a major milestone that the United States is noting in many different ways.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's communication division is focused on highlighting their own milestones.  The Agriculture Department's Radio Service has served the public for one hundred years as of 2026 - almost as old as the medium itself. And over its century, USDA Radio has provided information about farming, ranching, and the Department in a variety of ways and formats. Rod Bain presents the second of a series of programs on USDA Radio over the years in this edition of "Agriculture USA".

Wisconsin's grape growers have been keeping a close eye on the changing weather.  Kiley Allan gets an early season forecast from Phillipe Coucard, owner/operator of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac.  With 70 acres of vines to manage, his staff mobilizes early to evaluate conditions.  He says so far things have been going well.  Insect pressure has been low and so has early disease concerns.  He already anticipates a smaller crop this year just because of the colder April temperatures the vines were exposed to. He emphasizes that sunlight is the critical factor for grape quality, as it directly drives sugar content, color, and flavor concentration. The optimal growing season for the vineyard consists of early spring rain followed by dry June and July, a single week of rain in August, and a completely dry stretch leading up to harvest. It looks like a nice weekend for developing in Wisconsin.  Stu Muck says there will likely be some showers popping up again Saturday afternoon - but then the faucet shuts off and temperatures moderate into next week. Northwest Wisconsin soybean grower, Andy Bensend, is focused on the weather right now.  He sits on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and knows that critical research, funded by soybean growers like him, is happening.  Bensend explains how the board members prioritize the "buckets" to which checkoff dollars are designated.  In-field research is critical.  Bensend says Wisconsin's reputation for it's top-notch research team is well known in the upper Midwest and nationally.  There's also the investment in new products and helping people understand what these products can do.  This is all part of what the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board works on every day.  Paid for by the WI Soybean Marketing Board. Grapes aren't the only unique Wisconsin crop watching the weather.  Nathan Bula at Spears R Us in Adams has an asparagus crop depending on it.  Bula says asparagus appeared earlier than he's ever seen - but then got delayed by April frost/freezes.  He waited 11 days without a harvest for the spears to develop. Another big June Dairy celebration weekend is ahead.  Dane county will welcome thousands of people to Swaindale Genetics in Deerfield on Saturday.  With just 25 milking cows, this farm looks different than previous hosts.  Gary Swain and his wife, Dana Kelly, explain why they're hosting and the story they want to share about family and community commitment.  

We may be a little biased here in Wisconsin, but the best time of year is here. June Dairy Month is upon us. It's an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and honor the farmers, craftsmanship, and exceptional dairy products that make Wisconsin dairy truly special. Today, we catch up with 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Dairy isn't just something we produce here in Wisconsin. In fact, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin say it best: it's something we're born to do. We're Born to Dairy™. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. 

An early start to this year's asparagus season brought a lot of excitement to the patch. But as the season progressed, the weather didn't pay any favors. Nathan Bula joins us, he's the owner of Spears-R-Us. Nathan, tells Kiley Allan about the 2026 asparagus season.

While we're still relatively early in this year's growing season, Dr. Emily Bick tells us we've already seen the first wave of pests. She's an Extension Specialist of Insects for Field and Forage Crops. Emily, explains what we're seeing right now in the fields. More information and tools: - https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/pest-management/insect-pest-alerts/ for signup for the Pest Text Alert service.  - Information on the slugNet: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/slugnet/ and the slugNet dashboard: https://connect.doit.wisc.edu/content/e2188e97-840c-49e1-842c-22a638bafe7a/

Hands-on educational opportunities are crucial for students going through their academic career. It can also play a crucial role in career-specific trainings. Luxemburg Fire Department is taking advantage of all hands-on opportunities they can get. Brad Zellner joins us. He's the safety and training officer for the fire department. He tells me about a recent hands-on training opportunity provided by a local farm.

Fair season in Wisconsin brings with it a few changes for livestock exhibitors.  Jill Welke chats with Dr. Meg Mueller about her engagement in the dialog.  Also, while New World Screw Worm may not make it to the state, Dr. Mueller says it could still deal a financial blow to local producers.  Her priorities include sourcing animals from outside the state and making pet owners who might adopt aware of the risks. Wow - severe weather on Wednesday is causing clean-up on Thursday.  Stu Muck explains some of the areas of impact, and what's on the radar already this morning.  He thinks it's going to be another 'alert day' with severe weather and high winds. Alzheimer's is a disease that does not discriminate.  It doesn't matter where you live, or what your financial situation is.  It's also random.  Dr. Bill Stork, a retired veterinarian in Lake Mills, watched his mother slip away from Alzheimer's.  Sunday, he's spearheading "Minds over Mountains" MOMs, in honor of his mother.  The event in Lake Mills helps connect people with others handling the disease, researchers investigating it, and fund raising mechanisms to help further research.  Stork says he's encouraged by the research progress he's seen in just the past few years.  He also reminds people that they can control some of their outcome by thinking about their health today.  Pam Jahnke visited with him. All eyes are on nonfat products in the marketplace.  Zach Bowers, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.  That non-fat complex has drawn Wisconsin's Class III prices higher, and is likely moving lower now.  Bowers says demand for U.S. dairy remains robust - especially cheese.  Keeping an eye on what type of dairy product catches the globes attention will be what drives us next.

Hot, sticky weather is conducive to insects, and Wisconsin's a perfect example.  Kiley Allan gets a quick update on what new arrivals have made Wisconsin home from Dr. Emily Bick.  Bick is a UW-Madison Extension Entomologist that tracks everything from armyworm to alfalfa weevil.  Both of those insects pop up in this conversation. It's an alert day for much of Wisconsin.  Warm, moist air and gusting winds will create some potentially severe weather statewide.  Stu Muck focuses in on specific areas of risk. Summer fun is just around the corner now that the kids are exiting school.  That fun can still pose safety risks.  Chris Schlechta, Safety and Loss Control Officer with Rural Mutual Insurance says those fun outdoor activites need to be approached cautiously.  Schlechta says when we're ready to go 4-wheeling, boating or building that campfire, our brains or in the "relaxed" mode.  That can expose us, our friends and family to unexpected incidents.  Schlechta presents some scenarios that make the point. New World Screw Worm is being found in more animal populations of the south.  Could it make it to Wisconsin.  PJ Leisch, UW-Madison Extension Entomologist says it's doubtful.  Leisch does explain how the worm could still cause disruption for Wisconsin farmers. Keeping the focus on New World Screw Worm.  Wisconsin's got a big heart when it comes to displaced pets.  That's why many cats and dogs from places like Texas routinely end up in Wisconsin.  What do we need to know about those rescue operations and the animals they're moving.  Rod Bain with the USDA communications department explains.

UW–Madison's Data Science Institute is a campus-wide research institute that focuses on data science and artificial intelligence. The group isn't just working with computer scientists, though. Rather, they work with researchers across campus to leverage artificial intelligence in their individual products. Kyle Cranmer is the director for the Data Science Institute. He gave Kiley Allan a closer look at the research they're doing to tie together artificial intelligence and the dairy industry.

Summer is a busy time on Wisconsin farms. While we're between planting and harvest, farmers are checking fields, monitoring crops, maintaining equipment, and preparing for the months ahead. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings safety risks that can have devastating consequences.  Pam Jahnke visits with Chris Schlechta, Safety and Loss Control Manager for Rural Mutual Insurance.   Together they have a quick conversation on the things we all look forward to in the summer.  Relax, grill out, ride and ATV/UTV - just have fun.  Schlechta is all for fun - but it comes with safety as one of the responsibilities. Schlechta says without thought and supervision, things like ATV/UTV's, bonfires, boating - can all turn "fun" into an incident you never wanted to have happen.  Around the farm, thinking through risks and making sure family, friends, visitors and yourself stay safe has to be a priority.  Are signs posted for guests?  Do you have your first aid kit and fire extinguisher available and clearly visible?  Those things don't take long to check, but can make a massive difference in an incidents outcome. Schlechta reminds anyone that wants to work through a safety review, or needs to have some information to help execute a safety plan, to head over to the Rural Mutual website.  There you'll find a complete toolbox with manuals, lists and resources to do just that.

Wisconsin is home now to 79 weather stations that dot the state.  These stations are generating real time information that farmers and outdoor enthusiasts can tap into.  Pam Jahnke visit with Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet.  Vagasky says one new element they've added to these stations are soil sensors.  The 400 soil sensors provide "plant available water" readings at multiple depths in the soil profile.   Heat and humidity are building in Wisconsin today with some severe weather that could develop.  Stu Muck hones in on what areas need to be alert.   The lull in auction action is over.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke that they're already seeing a surg on auctions being booked for later this fall.  Huhn says by being proactive, clients get the benefit of solid preplanning, preparation and advance promotion.  Paid for by Steffes Group. The market's continuing to watch development of New World Screw Worm.  Now a total of four cases have been detected, including a dog in New Mexico.  While it's not a food risk, it is a market disrupter.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss the chatter online.  He's also watching certain regions in the latest crop progress report.

The small community of Ashippun in Dodge County is using farmland preservation tools to keep consistency as a part of land transition.  Robert Guenther, dairy farmer and member of the Town of Ashippun Planning Commission says the community  is facing increasing growth pressures, including recent applications for a private golf course and a solar energy farm. Ashippun's growth is largely driven by its location directly north of the rapidly growing village of Oconomowoc. Geunther says the community is learning just how expensive that growth can be.  He  says local studies have shown that every dollar collected in taxes on farmland costs the town about 75 cents in services, whereas every dollar collected from development land costs about $1.25 in municipal expenses.  Ashippun currently operates under A1 and A2 zoning. A1 is prime farmland with highly restrictive  rules, while A2 is less restrictive and includes over 70 different  conditional use opportunities. Because the town of Ashippun is under Dodge County zoning, the local planning commission can only make recommendations while the county holds final approval power. A major point of contention regarding the incoming private golf course is its location directly across the street from a 400-cow dairy farm, which local leaders view as a conflicting land use. A conditional use permit for a proposed solar operation on A1 prime farmland was rejected by Dodge County after unanimous denial recommendations from both the Ashippun planning commission and the town board. Local leaders note that farmland preservation zoning is simply a different zoning district that controls land use. It is often confused with a 15-year state farmland preservation agreement, which is much more restrictive on landowner rights. We've got a hot, sticky week ahead with some measurable rain.  Stu Muck spells out what to plan for. Weather did not deter the crowd from showing up Friday in Chippewa County for President Donald Trump and U.S. Ag Secretary, Brooke Rollins.  Mid-West Farm Report's Bob Bosold was there.  A round table was arranged so the president could hear directly from farmers on the issues they believe matter.  One farmer that testified was Steve Rooney, owner/operator of Rooney Grain.  He says the situation agriculture finds itself with monopolies is untenable.  Rooney implored the president to look at ways to invest in producing things like fertilizer, seed and ag chem in more than one company. Multiple farms hosted throngs of visitors for June Dairy events over the weekend.  That included Jody Miller from Miller Time Farms in Avoca.  She talks with Pam Jahnke about why that kind of face-to-face interaction with consumers is so meaningful and important.  Miller sits on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board.  She's also one of the persona that's been amplified through the "Born to Dairy" campaign.  Miller is a "Barnyard Beautifier" who enjoys featuring flowers everywhere around her farmstead.  She says portraying the proper visual message to consumers is important to her.  Miller notes that a clean, well-kept farmstead lets consumers know that farmers care about their land, water and animals.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Fox Valley Technical College is the only place in the state of Wisconsin where students can explore a two-year natural resources education program. It's recently received an addition that has campus buzzing with excitement. A 160-acre anonymous donation was made by a community member who wanted their land to stay in habitat and not be developed. A priority in education made the program the right fit for the donation. Paul Groell is the chair of the Natural Resources Department at Fox Valley Technical College. He says they were very surprised but very pleased with the donation.

 As agriculture's ever-changing landscape sees high input costs and changes in the marketplace, Dan Schaefer of Schaefer Beef Consulting has been getting a lot of phone calls. We started our conversation with one of the two most common question he's been receiving. How can anyone make any money when calves are valued at $1,500 at just three days old? 

The loss of a crop is awful.  The loss of a tradition, even more painful.  This year's erratic weather has caused some Wisconsin strawberry growers to rethink their plan.  Kiley Allan gets the story from Danielle Clark of Mayberry Farms in Mayville.  Their strawberry harvest is over before it started. They have pick-your-own strawberries, honeybees, row crops, and a newly planted apple orchard, backyard livestock collection of chickens and show lambs, makes skincare with farm grown ingredients such as strawberries, beeswax, tallow and lard. Agronomist believes Phytophthora attacked their plants - putting an end to their season before it started.  Clark says they had a little last year, but removed diseased plants but because soil doesn't drain well and the spring was cool and wet it accelerated it to a  total loss. One of their brand pillars is authenticity, so Danielle felt it was important to give the community an open and honest announcement that they would not have pick your own strawberries this year. She felt it was important to give enough time to digest the information and determine where they will go instead. The farm was met with an overwhelming amount of support from the community. The farm will convert the affected soil to an apple orchard expansion. Rain is just starting to move into Wisconsin this morning.  Stu Muck says it'll hang around through the day Friday, but allow for a beautiful weekend of drier weather. What do Wisconsin livestock owners need to think about regarding New World Screw Worm?  Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Livestock Sales Association in Baraboo feels confident that Texas has the insect under control.  Larson says market disruption so far has been minimal.  He also says the chances of the insect making it to Wisconsin are thin.  Still, for Wisconsin livestock operators that house/grow/breed their animals in other states, thinking through possible quarantine restrictions is not a bad plan.  Pam Jahnke visits with Larson. The state's largest outdoor agriculture event depends on volunteers, weather and commercial exhibitors.  How's the 2026 show coming together?  Stephanie Hoff gets a preview from Janet Keller, general manager, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.  Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is currently managing a "critical mass" of calls from potential exhibitors and sponsors to build the schedule and finalize the official program. The organization recently expanded its small staff by hiring Kate Borren as program coordinator and Abby George to handle financial bookkeeping. Unlike most other agricultural shows, this event moves to a different site within the state. Reorganized in 2023 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the show’s mission focuses on education and  resources for agriculture, health, safety, and food sourcing for both  farmers and consumers. The event requires a minimum of 200 acres to host—ideally on a modern dairy farm—and must be booked several years in advance so host farms can properly adjust their crop rotation schedules. The event logo changes every year to reflect the host county's unique identity. For 2026, the logo features the outline of Marathon County, the town of Stratford, and dairy cows representing the host farm, No Joke Dairy.

The states weather network keeps getting upgrades that help Wisconsin farmers, and anybody that enjoys the outdoors.  One of the latest tools added is Plant Available Water readings.  Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet, the states mesonet of weather stations, says they now have 400 soil sensors to tip off farmers when things are too dry, or too wet. Vagasky says the soil sensors measure moisture at 2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 inches of depth.  It compares the values to the maximum amount of water a plant can extract from the soil.  This blanket of sensors puts Wisconsin near the top as one of the most comprehensive soil moisture networks in the United States. All information is accessible real-time at wisconet.wisc.edu's dashboard.

This year, Wisconsin's spring weather was good for a lot of different crops. The same is true for the rhubarb crop. Kathy Burrs is the owner and operator of Burrs Berry Patch in Barneveld, Wisconsin. She tells us about this year's crop growth.

Field demonstrations are a core attraction at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Ron Zygarlicke, field demonstration chairman, tells Stephanie Hoff about the firsthand look at machinery and techniques in action showgoers can expect.

The loss of a crop is awful.  The loss of a tradition, even more painful.  This year's erratic weather has caused some Wisconsin strawberry growers to rethink their plan.  Kiley Allan gets the story from Danielle Clark of Mayberry Farms in Mayville.  Their strawberry harvest is over before it started. They have pick-your-own strawberries, honeybees, row crops, and a newly planted apple orchard, backyard livestock collection of chickens and show lambs, makes skincare with farm grown ingredients such as strawberries, beeswax, tallow and lard. Agronomist believes Phytophthora attacked their plants - putting an end to their season before it started.  Clark says they had a little last year, but removed diseased plants but because soil doesn't drain well and the spring was cool and wet it accelerated it to a  total loss. One of their brand pillars is authenticity, so Danielle felt it was important to give the community an open and honest announcement that they would not have pick your own strawberries this year. She felt it was important to give enough time to digest the information and determine where they will go instead. The farm was met with an overwhelming amount of support from the community. The farm will convert the affected soil to an apple orchard expansion. Rain is just starting to move into Wisconsin this morning.  Stu Muck says it'll hang around through the day Friday, but allow for a beautiful weekend of drier weather. What do Wisconsin livestock owners need to think about regarding New World Screw Worm?  Curt Larson, president and CEO of Equity Livestock Sales Association in Baraboo feels confident that Texas has the insect under control.  Larson says market disruption so far has been minimal.  He also says the chances of the insect making it to Wisconsin are thin.  Still, for Wisconsin livestock operators that house/grow/breed their animals in other states, thinking through possible quarantine restrictions is not a bad plan.  Pam Jahnke visits with Larson. The state's largest outdoor agriculture event depends on volunteers, weather and commercial exhibitors.  How's the 2026 show coming together?  Stephanie Hoff gets a preview from Janet Keller, general manager, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.  Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is currently managing a "critical mass" of calls from potential exhibitors and sponsors to build the schedule and finalize the official program. The organization recently expanded its small staff by hiring Kate Borren as program coordinator and Abby George to handle financial bookkeeping. Unlike most other agricultural shows, this event moves to a different site within the state. Reorganized in 2023 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the show’s mission focuses on education and  resources for agriculture, health, safety, and food sourcing for both  farmers and consumers. The event requires a minimum of 200 acres to host—ideally on a modern dairy farm—and must be booked several years in advance so host farms can properly adjust their crop rotation schedules. The event logo changes every year to reflect the host county's unique identity. For 2026, the logo features the outline of Marathon County, the town of Stratford, and dairy cows representing the host farm, No Joke Dairy.

Throughout the month of June, farms across Wisconsin are opening their doors for visitors. Most of those farms are dairy farms because, after all, June is dairy month. But there's another farm, an herbal farm, opening their doors to visitors. Jane Hawley Stevens joins us. She's the owner of Four Elements Organic Herbals. They're 130 acres in Baraboo Bluffs. There, her and her husband, both former horticulture grads from the UW-Madison, have been certified organic since 1987. She grows herbs that go into their herbal wellness line. They make functional creams, lip balms, soaps, tea, and more with the herbs that they grow. She tells us about the event they're hosting on Saturday.

Stephanie Hoff is looking at what it takes to bring the community together for one of the most anticipated ag events of the season: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Vicki Halupka is the chair of the volunteer committee for the show. Sign up for a shift today: https://www.wifarmtechdays.org/

Janet Keller, general manager of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, gives Stephanie Hoff a behind-the-scenes look at the massive undertaking that is this unique show. The event is July 14-16 at No Joke Dairy in Stratford.

Deans from Wisconsin's schools of agriculture are standing is support of the Dairy Innovation Hub.  The Hub acts as a collaborative "nexus," uniting the unique strengths of UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls to benefit Wisconsin's broader  agricultural and education landscape. For example at UW-Platteville, faculty members from the chemistry and mechanical engineering departments successfully patented a method to turn spoiled milk into 3D printing material.  Researchers at UW-River Falls developed a more affordable lactose-free ice cream, which is currently being sold to the public at the campus’s Freddy’s Dairy Bar. UW-Madison is utilizing high-level science, such as SNAP plus modeling, to create new nutrient strategies that help farmers contain phosphorus and nitrogen. The deans say despite the rising "cost of doing business," state funding for the Hub has not been adjusted for inflation since it was established around 2019 or 2020. To ensure the Hub’s value is understood during budget cycles, the universities host major public events—ranging from Lafayette County Dairy Breakfasts to field days at Madison’s 12 regional ag research stations—where lawmakers can see the impact firsthand. Heat will be noticeable today in Wisconsin and so will the wind.  Stu Muck says that wind will be bringing with it a chance of rain and thunderstorms beginning overnight. On Wednesday evening, USDA confirmed the first case of New World Screw Worm in Texas.  USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, says they've mobilized APHIS staff and are implementing a 20 km quarantine radius to monitor and contain livestock movement.  She stresses this is NOT a food safety issue. Dairy will be keeping an eye on the New World Screw Worm situation.  Collin Aardema, dairy analyst with EverAg tells Pam Jahnke that the impacted geography right now isn't a heavy dairy populus, but if the quarantine expands - it could impact milk flow.  Right now Idaho IS catching some attention because of a few outbreaks of HPAI in dairy.  Aardema says the curious piece is that it's impacting calves more than cows.

St. Mary's School educator Mary Cooper shares with Stephanie Hoff how she blends her deep-rooted background in the dairy industry with innovative STEM education. As a member of the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Ambassador Team, Mary discusses how she uses free, standards-aligned resources and multi-grade school challenges to make agricultural literacy accessible to all students.

As commercial fertilizer prices have farmers rethinking their nutrient strategies, real-time sensor technology is turning highly variable manure into a precise economic asset. Stephanie Hoff interviews Joe Sanford about his UW Dairy Innovation Hub research exploring how near-infrared spectroscopy tools can help large-scale dairies and custom operators track nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on the fly.

To date, the hilarious campaign from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin - "Born to Dairy" - has already racked up more than 10.5 million views, and counting!  Today we’re joined by one of the stars of the campaign! Welcome, Jody Miller — also known as The Barnyard Beautifier! Jody and her family farm in Avoca at Miller Time Dairy.  Currently they're planning to host the Iowa County Breakfast on the Farm, which is a perfect example of how Jody works to add beauty to the barnyard. Pam Jahnke visits with Miller about the excitement she feels with the "Born to Dairy" persona's and the messages they relay.  Miller also believes that this platform is a wonderful way for dairy farmers to connect with consumers on a "real" level.  For Miller, there's a lot of truth behind her "Barnyard Beautifer" persona.  She cares deeply about the image her dairy operation portrays to the general public.  She believes that it's a visual example of how much the family cares about what they do.  Their devotion to taking care of their animals.  Their focus on improving the soil and water they depend on today for the next generation. Miller is also proud of the other personalities involved in "Born to Dairy".  She says the campaign shows that dairy farmers are real people with humor, creativity, traditions, and passions outside of the work itself. Dairy operators work incredibly hard, but she adds that they also know how to laugh at themselves a little. Which persona do you match with?  Where's your next June Dairy Adventure?  You can find all the answers at Wisconsin Dairy!

Horses and horse owners from across North America will make their way to the MN State Fairgrounds in St. Paul for the Percheron World Congress.  Bob Bosold explains the elements of the horse, and the show components with Jim Day, co-chair of the event.  Day says this horse was initially bred for battle in the Middle Ages, but has advanced to being great in the harness, or saddle.  He also explains the different colors that the breed can feature. Get your outdoor plans and tasks wrapped up today and tomorrow.  Stu Muck says the rain and thunderstorms begin popping up in Wisconsin's forecast on Thursday evening. Chickens offer more than just bug eating abilities and eggs.  Kiley Allan gets a whole new appreciation for the creature from  Nelle Kempfer, Park Administrator at Schumaher Farm Park in Waunakee.  Chickens are a magnet for kids, and also adults interested in starting their own flock.  They've turned into a great recruiting tool to bring visitors to the living history farm site. Wisconsin's latest crop progress report bears out that warm dry weather has elevated the crop.  Pam Jahnke runs down the latest ratings from the WI Ag Statistical Service. With the high cost of fertilizer causing concern from Wisconsin farmers, researchers are looking at ways for them to maximize their local grown fertilizers - manure.  Joe Sanford, assistant professor at UW-Platteville and affiliated with the UW Dairy Innovation Hub says. Sanborn's working with industry leaders on developing sensor data to make immediate adjustments from the tractor cab to hit specific nutrient targets (e.g., 150 lbs of nitrogen per acre). Alternatively, they can empty their storages by volume, analyze the collected map data later, and use precise commercial supplements to fill in the gaps.The primary end-users for this expensive technology are large-scale farms with massive storages and high agitation costs, as well as custom operators who pump millions of gallons for hundreds of different clients annually and want to add a premium service. Currently, the sensor functions purely as an internal data collection system; it does not yet satisfy state regulatory requirements for annual laboratory manure analysis. Additionally, some farmers hesitate to adopt the technology due to lingering concerns over data ownership and how potential over-application data might be used.  

Schumacher Farm Park invites visitors to take a step into history. When this Dane County Park was created, the goal was to preserve the land and create a living history museum that accurately depicted life on the farm in the 1920s and 1930s. At that time, many Wisconsin farms had chickens. Nelle Kempfer, Park Administrator, tells Kiley Allan that the chickens took a year-long hiatus, but they're back. 

Every year, when it comes time for us to get a growing update about the state of Wisconsin's diverse and many agricultural crops, we have to check in on grapes. Today's conversation takes us to Prairie du Sac, that's the town that Wollersheim Winery calls home. Philippe Coquard operates the winery alongside his family. He tells me they have 27 acres of grapes with about 700 vines per acre. He sat down to give Kiley Allan an update about how the grapes are growing this season. 

Dan Schaefer of Schaefer Beef Consulting tells Kiley Allan about common mistakes producers make when transitioning from dairy to beef. Stu Muck outlines a beautiful day in the Revolution Plastics Ag Weather Update. Is manure feeding your crops like it used to? Division of Extension Specialist Chris Clark tells Stephanie Hoff about her latest research out of the UW Dairy Innovation Hub looking at manure micronutrients and where farms are falling short. Ashley Huhn and Pam Jahnke discuss The Steffes Group's auction calendar and resources for both buyers and sellers. Market advisor John Heinberg of Total Farm Marketing walks Stephanie Hoff through the first USDA crop condition ratings and the recent loss of bullish momentum in the grain markets. Heinberg explains that while early corn and soybean ratings landed slightly below market expectations, the primary downward pressure on prices stems from a typical seasonal peak and heavy global competition from South American harvests. Ultimately, he advises producers to look past early-season weather anxieties and implement defensive risk management strategies before the market historically runs out of steam in mid-June.

There's no question.  Margins are tight for Wisconsin soybean growers.  Andy Bensend from Dallas, WI is one of those looking at those margins.  He also sits on the WI Soybean Marketing Board where decisions are made on how to invest hard earned farmer dollars. Bensend says the investments made by the WI Soybean Marketing Board are calculated, researched and designed for a return on investment.  Even if that return will take some time to develop.  Bensend notes that they're challenged from a number of fronts.  Growing conditions in Wisconsin.  How can they be managed for maximum output?  Developing markets both here and abroad.  What is the world looking for?  Of course education connects all those lines.  Making growers aware of the research findings and how it can help them is a must to keep moving forward.  

Did you know keeping your lawn mower blades sharp is a critical key to a great lawn?  Many people don't!  Ben Jarboe finds out about some of the other ingredients that make up a lush, green lawn from Doug Soldat, UW-Madison Extension Turf Specialist. After a few showers this morning, dry moderate weather moves into WI.  Stu Muck says rain shouldn't redevelop until later this week. Traditionally lard was thought of as a key ingredient to flaky pie crusts.  Today - thanks to social media - lard is being used as a moisturizer for skin!  Kiley Allan finds out about it from  Julie Schroeder, Owner of Open Road Ranch.  Schroeder says lard is highly effective for skincare because its pH and lipid profile closely mimic human skin, allowing it to absorb easily. Naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants, lard serves as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment for conditions like eczema, rosacea, and minor wounds. An agriculture instructor from Viroqua has been named the 2026 Miss Wisconsin USA!  Olivia Lulich, originally from Lyndon Station, was selected from the field on Saturday evening in Des Moines.  Lulich says her platform of helping people understand where their food comes from will be part of her Miss Wisconsin USA conversations. It's officially June Dairy month in Wisconsin, and farms are ready for visitors.  Stephanie Hoff introduces us to the hosts for the Sauk Co Breakfast on the Farm, the Luxton family from Hillpoint.  Tom and Kay Luxton at Windi Ridge Farm say the breakfast has prompted them on some projects they wanted to get done like installing a new driveway and painting the parlor.  They remind visitors that it's about more than just the breakfast.

Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to host a community dairy breakfast as we tour a family farm in the hilly Driftless region. Stephanie Hoff visits Windi Ridge Farm as part of her Leaders of the Land tour with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. The 35th annual Sauk County Breakfast on the Farm is bringing together more than 75 local businesses to spotlight the Luxton family's dedication to the community, the animals, and the land. This interview also explores how these "leaders of the land" use contour strips and expert-approved nutrient management plans to preserve soil health for generations to come.

The U.S. Senate has yet to take action on allowing E-15 use year round across the nation.  It's a frustrating spot for Wisconsin biofuels facilities to be in.  Erik Huschitt, General Manager at Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, and current President of the WI Biofuels Association feels it.  He tells Pam Jahnke that "big oil" is actually on E-15's side in this debate.  The problem, he says, is a small group of midsized refiners that have been getting a lot of benefits from the current system.  Huschitt notes that consumers are on board, big oil is in support, but the lobbying arm of those midsized refiners is stopping any forward progress in D.C. Gorgeous weekend on the way for Wisconsin.  The only thing missing is a little rain to keep coaxing crops along.  Stu Muck gives us the warm, dry details through Monday. The weather this spring has come in fits and spurts for livestock owners.  Kiley Allan finds out that horse owners need to exercise a little caution introducing horses to the spring grass that has accelerated in growth lately.  Dr. Lisa Neeson, equine vet at Irongate Equine Clinic, says that horse with Cushing's, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, or those carrying extra weight could be at risk.  She says putting horses out on pasture for just 30-60 minutes at time is smart.  She also suggested those visits happen between 10 a.m. - and 3 p.m. when sugar levels in grasses are lower. When consumers pick up a package of beef at the store, they may not understand everything that influences the price shown on that package.  Stephanie Hoff introduces labor strikes as an unnoticed influence on some of those prices.  Jeff Hadachek, UW Ag Economist explains how these strikes occur and how they can quickly skew the price consumers pay for the products they want.

Chris Clark, a soil and nutrient management outreach specialist with the Division of Extension, tells Stephanie Hoff about her latest research looking into the micronutrients in manure. She explains that due to EPA air quality improvements, sulfur contributions from acid rain have dropped from 10 pounds per year to less than one pound. Long-term data comparison shows that while several nutrients were tracked, boron and sulfur are the two showing the most significant downward trends in manure. While farmers focus on N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), this research highlights the importance of secondary nutrients like calcium and magnesium, and micronutrients like copper, zinc, and manganese. Many agronomists have already begun instinctively supplementing sulfur between hay cuttings because they noticed deficiencies in plant tissue and soil analyses years ago.

This time of year is extremely busy time of year in the equine world. Dr. Lisa Nesson joins us, she's an equine veterinarian at Irongate Equine Clinic. She tells me that this time of year she's doing all kinds of preventative health care. That includes vaccinations, travel preparation, routine dental care, deworming and more. On top of that, because horses are seasonal breeders, she spends a lot of time caring for mares and foals this time of year. Spring also means that we're beginning to see paddocks full of luscious new grass. Dr. Nesson tells us a few things that we need to consider before turning our horses out.

The agriculture road improvement program has been in place for over a year.  The goal - improving the states rural infrastructure.  How's it doing?  Kiley Allan follows up with John DesRivieres, Director of Communications at the WI Dept. of Transportation.  He says the program has been overwhelmingly popular with farmers and their community leaders.  DesRivieres says while some projects are complete, many more are underway.  DesRivieres also says they're accepting more applications for the next round of funding. A little less heat today, but dry weather remains.  Stu Muck says there's not much rain on the horizon for those fields freshly planted. While America celebrates its 250th anniversary, USDA is also celebrating about 100 years of providing news content focused on farming and rural America.  Rod Bain kicks of a series that takes a look back at how communicating with the nation's farmers and rural residents has changed. April milk production figures came in a little stronger than initially expected according to Ryan Yonkman with EverAg.  Yonkman tells Pam Jahnke that one story getting a little attention is how much dairy might be consumed connect to FIFA World Cup games in the East.

The Wisconsin State FFA Convention is just around the corner, and the state officer team is pulling together the final details.  Jill Welke finds out about theme's and projects from Amanda Draxler.  Draxler is the current President of the WI FFA State Officer team.  She says there day of service this year will involve around 1,000 members from across the state the come to Madison early to help others.  Draxler says a couple components include packaging meals for those in need and helping with community projects around Wisconsin. Hot and sticky - in May!  The weather gyrations in Wisconsin continue.  Stu Muck says the heat will break a bit tomorrow, but overall we'll stay dry and warm. That heat has helped the state's corn crop advance pretty quickly.  In this week's Wyffels Wednesday, Kiley Allan chats with Brant Smith, District Sales Manager @ Wyffels about plant development and any issues growers should monitor.  Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids. Getting the general public to recognize those efforts isn't always easy.  Stephanie Hoff finds out what some of the deans from our state's colleges of agriculture are doing to highlight these researchers.  They note that the Dairy Innovation Hub has acted as a collaborative "nexus," uniting the unique strengths of UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls to benefit Wisconsin's broader agricultural and education landscape. UW-Platteville faculty members from the chemistry and mechanical engineering departments successfully patented a method to turn spoiled milk into 3D printing material. Researchers at UW-River Falls developed a more affordable lactose-free ice cream, which is currently being sold to the public at the campus’s Freddy’s Dairy Bar. UW-Madison is utilizing high-level science, such as SNAP plus modeling, to create new nutrient strategies that help farmers contain phosphorus and nitrogen. Despite the rising "cost of doing business," state funding for the Hub has not been adjusted for inflation since it was established around 2019 or 2020. The initiative has proven to be a massive financial win for the state; last year, Hub researchers brought in more external grant dollars than the total amount of funding provided by the state. To ensure the Hub’s value is understood during budget cycles, the universities host major public events—ranging from Lafayette County Dairy Breakfasts to field days at Madison’s 12 regional ag research stations—where lawmakers can see the impact firsthand.

As the dust begins to settle on a busy and exciting planting season, the team at Wyffels Hybrids sat down with us for one more conversation. District Sales Manager, Brant Smith reflects on this year’s season. He explains some agronomy tools found at wyffels.com that support producers through the growing season.

"The dairy industry is a lot more than a cow herself." Wise words from Megan Lauber. She's a PhD candidate at the UW-Madison. Her focus is on dairy youth programming. She tells me how she's working to encourage students to pursue a career in the dairy industry in its entirety. Information about the camp can be found at https://andysci.wisc.edu/badger-dairy-camp/.

Wisconsin continues to move forward with the goal of connecting everyone to the internet.  Ben Jarboe finds out that the path has been rife with challenges.  Alyssa Kenney, State Broadband and Digital Equity Director for Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says the goal remains to achieve full broadband access statewide by 2030.  The state has had a broadband expansion grant program in place since 2014. Early funding was modest, but investments increased significantly starting in 2019 and surged during the pandemic. State and federal funding (including the American Rescue Plan Act) have driven major broadband expansion. Over $365 million has been invested, supporting more than 400 broadband projects. Nearly 1 million people (about 300,000 locations) have gained improved broadband access in the last five years. Heat has returned to Wisconsin!  Stu Muck says now everyone needs to stay aware of the possibility for severe weather as the week unfolds. Career opportunities abound with the Steffes Group.  Ashley Huhn visits with Pam Jahnke about some of the areas they need staff that may not first come to mind for people.  Paid for by Steffes Group. The fertilizer industry is as anxious as consumers to find out what damage has been caused in the Strait of Hormuz.  Corey Rosenbush, President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute says about a third of the world’s urea, 20 percent of the phosphate, and more than half of the sulfur moves through the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked by Iran since March 2nd. Unfortunately, says Rosenbusch, there are no simple or quick answers to bringing those prices back down. Oil prices did take a break over the holiday weekend.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing our of West Bend says traders will watch that today.  He also notes that China has told Brazil they're not accepting their beef until after detecting hormones in some packages, but thinks there's some gamesmanship there.  He also recaps Friday's April Milk Production figures.  Big cow numbers and big production.  That'll keep the pressure on Wisconsin dairy operations.

Host Ben Jarboe shares his fishing update which includes bass and walleye. Davion Freeman joins the show and they get into the weeds on spring fishing and bait and gear considerations.

As summer approaches, and people plan road trips, there is a palpable excitement in the air. Sheila Everhart is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association. She sits down with Kiley Allan to talk about a tool that helps people find the ideal stops for their road trips.