MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

USDA Rural Development investment helps Westby Cooperative Creamery modernize facility, increase production and support rural prosperity.

We all know that yields can vary greatly depending on the conditions and circumstances of each growing season. Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration put together a program to help farmers dealing with these uncertainties. Sandy Chalmers is the State Executive Director at the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency. She tells us how we're seeing these dollars impact Wisconsin.

What value does a farmers market have for a community?  Is it just about the transactions, or is there more?  A study funded by a USDA grant and involving UW-Madison researchers focused on that question.  Kiley Allan finds out about the results from Bret Shaw, UW-Madison Communications Specialist.  Shaw says the researchers conducted a national study to provide market operators with actionable data to boost attendance, increase consumer spending, and better communicate the community value of farmers markets to stakeholders. The research identified six consumer categories, highlighting the three groups most likely to visit: the "highly engaged" (who love the social atmosphere and local experience), the "health-focused" (who prioritize organic, local, and non-GMO produce), and the "emerging interest" group. The newly identified "emerging interest" demographic consists of younger shoppers who are less focused on buying raw ingredients to cook at home and more interested in the social environment and ready-to-eat prepared foods. To accommodate changing consumer preferences, markets are increasingly featuring vendors that sell prepared foods and specialized items (such as hot breads, baked goods, and meats) rather than strictly traditional raw fruits and vegetables. With over 8,600 markets operating nationwide, farmers markets are increasingly recognized by community leaders as vital hubs that promote healthier eating habits, foster a sense of local belonging, and build resilient regional food systems. What are the 'dog days' all about?  That's the starter conversation with Stu Muck on a Monday morning.  The forecast isn't offering  much moisture this week to offset all the heat expected. Stu explains the cycle the states caught in. In June the White House announced that John Rich, or Big N Rich country duo fame, became a USDA envoy working with farmers and landowners nationwide.  Rich says he was personally caught in a land dispute with the state of Tennessee, so he understands the disadvantage farmers face when someone wants their land.  He'll report directly to USDA's Brooke Rollins and the President.  He explains what he's heard so far. Last week the WI State Fair Park announced that John Yingling would be retiring after 16 years of service, most recently as board chair.  Pam Jahnke visits with the fair veteran who started his relationship with the fair when he was a kid in the neighborhood.  Yingling says he never liked going to the fair with his mother.  He explains how that didn't stop him from making the WI State Fair, a big part of his life.

Wisconsin's state FFA officer team is fresh off a leadership conference in Washington, D.C..  While learning the ropes to policy development was part of their goal, honing how to advocate for ag education and agriculture in general was also a major point.  Cheryl Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Wisconsin FFA Association tells Pam Jahnke about the investment being made in these young leaders. No rain in sight.  Not what a lot of Wisconsin farmers or gardeners want to hear.  Stu Muck explains why we can't seem to wring a bit of moisture out of the atmosphere right now. Everybody likes to get a gift, and our Wisconsin agriculture teachers are no exception.  Teri Barr explains how saying thank you to agriculture instructors and helping them start the new school year prepared, inspired a Pennsylvania company.  Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow and the Dairy Excellence Foundation teamed up to offer anyone a chance to "gift" a box to an agriculture instructor anywhere. How much energy does the average 500 cow dairy operation use in a hot month like July?  You might be surprised!  Pam Jahnke talks with Matt Redetzke of No Joke Dairy in Stratford about that expense.  It's just one motivating point that encouraged the hosts of this year's WI Farm Technology Days to partner with Focus on Energy.  Kevin Weiler, one of four Focus on Energy advisors in the state says Marathon County has been taking advantage of the partnership!  Paid for by Focus on Energy.

As the Wisconsin State Fair gets ready to celebrate its 175th anniversary, part of its history is getting ready to end. John Yingling has served on the WI State Fair Board for 16 years.  This October, he's announced he'll step away. Listen in as Pam Jahnke finds out how it all started for Yingling, and what he sees today when he looks at the WI State Fair.

A surprise gift box full of appreciation delivers encouragement, classroom resources, and a reminder that educators in Wisconsin are valued as they shape agriculture's future. 

You can't believe all the 'fine points' of harvesting hay until you talk to Tom Kilcer.  As a former ag agent in New York state, Kilcer now acts a researcher in Tennessee.  His book. "Hay in a Day" delivers on some of the details producers often overlook that can make a major impact on their finished hay product.  Bob Bosold finds out what those details are! Another really pleasant day in Wisconsin before heat starts to build back in.  Stu Muck says the smoke threat also seems to be lessening going into the weekend.  Don't get too comfortable though.  Stu says the heat returns next week. Whether it's heat or cold, wet or dry, our specialty crop providers face it all.  The state has an abundance of potato, vegetable, cranberry and other specialty crop growers that have been maneuvering through weather challenges, as well as global market access issues.  Kiley Allan visits about the terrain with Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of the WI Farm Service Agency offices through USDA.  Chalmers says there's about $1.6 billion that's been set aside for those specialty growers.  Now, the key is to apply by the August 7th deadline. Wow - big numbers in the June USDA Milk Production report.  Big cow numbers too.  Pam Jahnke visits with Katie Burgess, dairy analyst with EverAg, about the blow it brings to the dairy complex.  Burgess says Wisconsin has approximately 20,000 more milk cows this June compared to 2025.  Those cows are producing too.  The states June production was up 1.6%. 

Sustainability isn't just about the environment. Experts say carbon scores can help dairy farmers measure efficiency, improve management, and meet growing marketplace expectations. Teri Barr talks with Grace Moeller, manager of sustainability initiatives with the National Milk Producers Federation to learn how it could be an important management tool for your farm. 

The Junior National Hereford Expo is a week-long event that brings an opportunity for kids to showcase their cattle as well as their talents. The event itself rotates across the country every year, and this year, it's taking place in Madison. An event of this magnitude can't be pulled off without the generous support of many people. Jaclyn Bevans sat down with me. She's a board member of the National Hereford Women, as well as a mother, farmer, and a wife. National Hereford Women is one of the organizations that supports Junior Hereford activities both during the Junior Nationals, as well as all year long. She tells us what their mission is.

The hosts for the 2026 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, No Joke Dairy in Stratford, are examples of what a partnership with Focus on Energy can accomplish. Pam Jahnke visits with Matt Redetzke, one of the brothers farming, about their fifth-generation family farm in Marathon County.  Through careful planning with Focus on Energy, the farm has achieved considerable savings on several projects around the farm. Focus on Energy Advisor, Kevin Weiler, explains the amount of energy saved - and the money that was kept in the farm families pocket!   Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Focus on Energy No Joke Dairy has implemented a series of energy-saving improvements in partnership with Focus on Energy: • Livestock Waterers (Installed in 2022 and 2023) o Installed new waterers that use less electricity and keep water from freezing in winter. The cows always have clean water to drink, even during the colder months. These waterers save money on energy bills and keep the animals comfortable. • LED Exterior Lighting (2023) o Replaced exterior lights with LED lights. LEDs make outdoor areas safer for everyone and last longer, reducing the need to replace them as often. • Refrigeration Heat Recovery (RHR) System (2020) o Installed an RHR system that takes heat from the milk-cooling process and uses it to warm water for the farm. The farm needs less electricity or fuel to make hot water for cleaning. • Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Vacuum Pump (2019) o Upgraded to a vacuum pump with a VFD to allow the milking system to run at the power needed, instead of at full power all the time. This reduces electricity use and extends equipment life. • High-Bay LED Fixtures (2019) o Improved lighting inside the barn with high-bay LED fixtures to create a brighter, safer workspace while using less energy than traditional high-intensity lamps.

The mantra behind many of the most successful big events is "many hands make light work." The same is true for Farm Technology Days. I sat down and talked with one of the many volunteers, Maria Meyer. And she's not just a volunteer, her family is widely involved across the event. She tells us what brought her to sign up.

The smoke that's been inundating Wisconsin is impacting everything that takes a breath - including plants.  Kiley Allan talks with Brent Elliot, Director at Stratford Area Fire Department EMS.  He says the area is experiencing thick, poor air quality due to Canadian wildfire smoke, which was forecasted by the National Weather Service alongside high heat and humidity. Individuals with respiratory illnesses (asthma, COPD, emphysema) and cardiovascular conditions are at high risk, as poor lung oxygenation directly strains the heart and body tissues. Individuals should immediately rest if they experience "the dangerous triad": feeling winded/struggling to breathe, feeling dizzy or lightheaded (signs of low oxygenation), or experiencing heavy chest tightness. Those at risk should stay in air-conditioned indoor spaces. If outdoors, it is advised to stay hydrated, spend 15–20 minutes of every hour in shaded shelter (such as a tent or an air-conditioned vehicle), and monitor companions. Event medical staff are equipped to handle respiratory distress early with roaming teams, air-conditioned facilities, and oxygen therapy, preventing minor symptoms from escalating into emergencies. Not much smoke in our forecast today!  Stu Muck says the cooler temperatures we're enjoying today also give us an air advisory break.  Muck says this pattern will stick around for about 36 hours, and then it's back to more heat and potentially more smoke. Ice cream provides a nice, cool treat to break the heat of July.  Teri Barr reports that it's also acting as a conversation starter for the 79th Alice in Dairyland, Anastasia Poull.  Poull is using ice cream as the platform to educate consumes about Wisconsin's roll in delivering the tasty treat. Beef cattle supplies will continue to be tight into 2027.  That's driving live animal prices even higher.  Pam Jahnke reports that the chair of the World Ag Outlook board is expecting those prices to keep ratcheting up into 2027. One of the elements that attracts people to Wisconsin is our green space, including our forests.  What you may not realize is that more than 56% of all our forests in the state are owned by private land owners. That's between 9-11 million acres.  If those land owners don't have a plan on how to maintain and manage those lands, there's a problem.  Kiley Allan introduces us to Tony Johnson, Forestry Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison.  He says only 25% of Wisconsin woodland owners have a written forest management plan.  His goal is to help others create a blueprint for getting what they want out of their woods.

Tony Johnson is a Forestry Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison, and when he thinks of woodlands, he describes a peaceful and serene scene, but a scene such as that can only be achieved with careful planning. He says that only 25% of Wisconsin woodland owners have a written forest management plan. It's the blueprint for getting what you want out of your woods. But if you don't know where to start, he has good news. UW-Madison's extension team is here to help.

Nobody ever schedules an accident, but they still happen. That's why resources like the Wisconsin Poison Center are so crucial. I sat down with Bri Campbell, she's the program coordinator, and Tammy Holzer, clinical educator for the Wisconsin Poison Center. They tell me they're trying to reach a broader, more rural audience.

The consumers, and therefore, the vendors that attend farmers' markets are rapidly evolving. Bret Shaw, an Extension Communications Specialist and a team at UW-Madison, recently received a grant that allowed them one of the first closer looks into this trend in nearly a decade. Brett sat down to explain what they discovered.

Holy smokes, Wisconsin! The sky has been so eerie that it looks straight off the set of a horror movie to me, and the air quality may actually be some people's worst nightmare. Brent Elliott is the director at the Stratford Area Fire Department EMS. He explains the severity of the smoky air quality that Wisconsin has been experiencing.

The Beef Quality Assurance program has been around for a while, but it's always evolving.  Jill Welke finds out from one of the best!  Dr. Sandy Stuttgen, Associate Professor and Ag Educator with UW-Madison Extension in Taylor County leads coordination of the states program.  She tells Welke that it's a serious responsibility, providing food for consumers.  Through the BQA program, beef producers can perform at the level that consumers and processors expect. Milder weather today gives Wisconsinites a break.  Stu Muck says what's missing is rain.  Although there were storms that moved through the state, it brought with it very little rain.  Muck says there's not much on the horizon either. Christmas in July may seem like excessive planning, but auction planning in July is not.  Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke to talk about it.  He says July has routinely turned out to be their busiest booking month.  Huhn says that kind of advance planning allows his team to work ahead on everything from pictures to descriptions.  Paid for by Steffes Group. The Wisconsin State FFA Officer team just returned from Washington, D.C. and the annual Leadership Conference.  Cheryl Zimmerman, state executive director of the WI FFA Association, says they had an accelerated course on advocacy before heading to "the hill" for conversations. It's all about weather and tariffs in the marketplace this morning.  John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing out of West Bend says heat and dry are the buzz words.  Crop quality ratings slipped a bit in some areas this week at a key time when some crops are at critical growth stages.  At the same time, the government has announced a 25% increase in tariffs against Brazilian soybeans/oil. That's caused the market to surge higher on domestic supplies.

Dr. Temple Grandin has spent her career observing the habits of animals.  Today she visits with Bob Bosold about the supporting structure on animal handling that really worries her.  People!  Grandin says she's worried about the skill set most graduates bring to the marketplace.  With escalating retirements, Grandin says there's no new candidates in the pipeline to fill these voids. Smoke's still around but temperatures are moderating.  Stu Muck says we get back to "normal" temperatures this week with a little rain added in. July is National Ice Cream month and Wisconsin will not be left out of the celebration.  Kiley Allan catches up with Carolyn Alsteen, who represents district 2 on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors and farms in Coleman.  She highlights some of the ice cream production consumers may not realize originates in Wisconsin.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Fairs continue around Wisconsin this week.  While you visit, keep your eyes open for informational plaquards that may be present.  It's part of a public education mission the WI Fair Association is on.  Pam Jahnke reviews with Jayme Butke, executive secretary of the WI Fair Association.  She says the financial footprint fairs have on the state is incredible.  Now they want to find out about the intrinsic value of fairs on communities.

While June is National Dairy Month, July is just as sweet. National Ice Cream Month brings us a great opportunity to celebrate the people and the cows who make the sweet treat possible. We're catching up with just one of those people today. Carolyn Alsteen is a dairy farmer who represents District 2 on Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors. She farms in Coleman, Wisconsin. She tells us how she's celebrating National Ice Cream Month. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. 

This week shows how important animal handling is.  With the weather element included, paying attention to what an animal sees in its surrounding is critical.  Bob Bosold talks with one of the industry leaders in that field.  Dr. Temple Grandin.  Grandin explains her focus when it comes to animal handling systems, and some of the simple things that can often be overlooked by farmers.   Temperatures may be a few degrees cooler today, but you won't notice much of a change with the smoke.  Stu Muck steers us through what the weekend has in store for with weather. Beginning on Tuesday, Wisconsin is implementing some new restrictions on animals coming into the state from areas affected by New World Screwworm.  Teri Barr listens to what WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, has to say about the plan. Dairy farmer Mitch Breunig is one of those that's been spending long hours trying to keep his cows comfortable.  Breunig owns/operates Mystic Valley Dairy in Roxbury.  He tells Pam Jahnke that every piece of technology from high capacity fans to sprinkler systems has been key.  He even has deployed "fitbits" for cows to monitor their respiration and feed intake. As the 2026 WI Farm Technology Days show drew to a close in Stratford, questions were already popping up on where the show will be in 2027.  Pam Jahnke talks with Janet Keller, show general manager, about that point and others.  Keller says they've got plenty of farms interested in hosting future shows, and she says the restructure they implemented three years ago is helping.ed

Wisconsin is tightening import requirements for livestock and other warm-blooded animals entering the state in an effort to keep the destructive New World screwworm (NWS) from reaching farms and rural communities. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced a temporary order which adds new health requirements for animals coming from states with active NWS-infested zones. The order takes effect on Tuesday, July 21, and will remain in place until it is lifted by the Wisconsin state veterinarian. Teri Barr explains some details with Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Randy Romanski.

 The state's 79th Alice in Dairyland is on the job!  Meet Anastasia Poull.  This native of Port Washington is excited to help educate consumers about all Wisconsin agriculture has to offer.  Pam Jahnke gets an update on "National Ice Cream Month" from Poull, and why it matters to many of the state's ice cream shops and manufacturers! Hot, sticky weather continues again today - coupled with noticeable smoke drifting in from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota.  Stu Muck explains what's happening and how long we can expect this combination in the state. Mel Pittman has been a long time supporter of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Today the retired dairy farmer from Plum City, WI is finding a new agriculture interest raising beef cattle.  Still, he's maintained an active presence on the WFTD Executive Board for over a decade.  Pittman talks with Pam Jahnke about the changes he's seen in the show, attendees, and the featured equipment.  Yes, he admits the show's facing some challenges, but he believes the combination of curious farmers and cutting edge technology still works. You've seen the headlines.  The U.S. is experiencing the smallest beef heard in over a half a century. That small cattle herd also impacts available funds for the WI Beef Council.  Tammy Vaassen, executive director of WBC is already making plans for precision use of available dollars for 2027.  That involves partnering with the Cattlemen's Beef Board and their contracting partners to make dollars go further. She explains.  Plus, they're visiting with folks at WI Farm Technology Days as well!

Winter wheat harvest has begun around Wisconsin and it looks like the crop's pretty good.  That's the quick analysis from Anastasia Kurth, Regional Crops & Soils Educator at UW-Madison Extension.  She says Wisconsin corn and soybeans are generally in good-to-excellent condition. Unlike  last year, growing degree days are slightly ahead of schedule, allowing  crops to benefit well from the current heat and humidity. Farmers have recently applied side-dress nitrogen for a mid-season crop boost. While southern rust has not been reported, growers are urged to scout for tar spot, which has already been confirmed in five neighboring states to the south and west. Soybeans are hitting their five-year average for blooming. Farmers are reminded to closely check herbicide labels, as the flowering (R1) stage dictates whether certain post-emergence herbicides can still be legally applied. This hot weather may not be ideal for people, pets or livestock but it has suppressed the risk of white mold in soybeans (which prefers cool, wet conditions), but farmers should watch for emerging Japanese beetles and monitor Western bean cutworm trap data. Smoke is back in the forecast for all of Wisconsin to varying degrees. Stu Muck explains the drift today.  He also sees rain developing as soon as tonight. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days concludes today in Stratford.  The show simply could not happen without volunteers.  Kiley Allan visits with one of them.  Maria Meyer is a volunteer along with her son.  It's a tradition that started the last time the show was in the area and her uncle asked her to help.  She explains that the volunteers receive compensation that goes directly to their charitable organization.  In Maria's case it's the Loyal EMS Dept.  Her son is volunteering to benefit his football team. It's not just Wisconsin or the U.S. that's experiencing this heat.  Europe is as well.  Mike North, principal with EverAg out of Platteville, explains the milk loss we've already seen and how it's impacting the cheese market.

Marathon County is working hard to save energy. In 2025, more than 100 local businesses, manufacturers, schools, hospitals, and farms improved the efficiency of their facilities with support from Focus on Energy. Farming has played a major role in this achievement. Last year, 62 farms in Marathon County completed more than 180 energy-saving projects, resulting in $325,000 in total savings. These upgrades help family farms lower costs and stay strong for the future. No Joke Dairy is a fifth-generation family farm in Marathon County that has belonged to the Redetzke family since 1911. Otto and Ottelia Redetzke built the original barn, and the farm has remained in the family for over a hundred years. Although the family stopped milking cows in 2011, brothers Matt and Sam Redetzke chose to start the dairy again in 2015. They restored the herd and brought the farm back to life. Now, four generations work side by side, making it a family-run farm. The farm cares for 400 cattle in total, including young animals, and has a milking herd of around 200 Jersey cows. The Redetzke family also grows crops on 660 acres to feed their animals, keeping the farm self-sufficient. Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy advisor visits with Pam Jahnke and FTD host, Matt Redetzke, about their investments. Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Focus on Energy No Joke Dairy has implemented a series of energy-saving improvements in partnership with Focus on Energy: • Livestock Waterers (Installed in 2022 and 2023) • LED Exterior Lighting (2023) • Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Vacuum Pump (2019) • High-Bay LED Fixtures (2019) • Annual Energy Savings: 68,710 kWh • Annual Cost Savings: $8,671* • Environmental impact: Reduces 108,836 pounds of CO₂ each year. This is equal to taking 12 gas-powered cars off the road or powering 10 homes for a full year *Savings are estimated using average statewide rates and may vary by site.

Summer may mean a break from school room activities, but it's also a break from reliable meals for many Wisconsin kids. Hunger Task Force, headquartered in Milwaukee, works vigorously to try and make sure it's ready for the spike up in demand when those families need help.  Jonathan Hansen, chief strategy officer at Hunger Task Force, says they will be using a portion of a $2.5 million grant to help offset demands.  Hansen tells Pam Jahnke that the funding — part of a $10 million investment in Wisconsin’s 2025-27 state budget created by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin State Legislature — connects local nonprofit food assistance programs with local producers to keep pantry shelves stocked with nutritious and locally produced food.   Hansen notes that through Connecting Farms to Families, Hunger Task Force will use 100% of grant funds to support hunger relief programs across Wisconsin — uniquely providing all food absolutely free of charge — including food pantries, meal programs, nonprofit organizations, Tribal Nations and members of the Hunger Relief Federation of Wisconsin. All food purchased with the funding will come from small and mid-sized Wisconsin farmers and producers. This ensures producers have a reliable market for their crops and people across the state have consistent access to healthy food.

Jill Welke joins us from Eau Claire to talk about the FRESH area being offered by the Marshfield Clinic.Stu Muck says warm weather is going to continue. Pam Jahnke gets the scoop from Ashely Huhn. Their team will be at Farm Technology Days. She learns where we can find them! Paid for by Steffes. Michelle Paul is the Equine Chair of this year’s event. She’s lined up an agenda that features a lot of horsepower! Their new trainer even and Belgian hitches are sure to amaze spectators. John Heinberg, Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing talks the impact of heat, volatile wheat prices and the latest impact of the Iran/US war on the marketplace.

This year's Farm Technology Days is featuring all the horsepower. While some of the most impressive machinery Wisconsin has to offer will be on display, so will the original form of horsepower. Michelle Paul is the Equine Chair for this year's event. She walks through everything the Equine exhibits have to offer.

Making our way through the month of July in Wisconsin also means that we're starting to get harvesting on that winter wheat crop. Dr. Shawn Conley sat down with Kiley Allan. He's the state Soybean and Small Grain Specialist for UW-Madison. He explains where we're at with this year's crop.

Technology is always bringing something new to production agriculture.  Drones are a great example.  This technology continues to be refined and innovated into multiple tasks on today's farm.  Bob Bosold visits with Jeremy Jones from American Drone in Marshfield.  He explains how new tools are always being added to what these machines can do. Dangerous heat this week across Wisconsin. Stu Muck says unlike other fronts, this one will stay dry and miserable for man and beast. It's board meeting time for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  Janet Clark, board chair and dairy farmer from Eldorado says that it's good when the board can pause and take a look back at what's been accomplished.  Some of the highlights that Clark points to are all the personal interactions during June Dairy Month activities, and the success they've found with trade missions.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Miss Wisconsin USA is using agriculture as her platform for interaction with the public.  Olivia Lulich is an agriculture instructor in Viroqua and the current Miss Wisconsin USA.  Through her appearances and social media, she's keeping the conversations going. A new tool's available to try and help the state's dairy operators manage the heat this week.  Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager with WISCONET, the state's weather network, says the "Cow Comfort Index" should help.  It takes several weather elements together to give farmers a "real feel" of what the animal is experiencing.  It's customized by geography and available on the wisconet.wisc.edu website free of charge.

No one in Wisconsin enjoys the heat and humidity that seem to be circling back.  Now, Wisconsin dairy operators have a new tool to help them establish the "real feel" of that weather on cattle. Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet, says the state now has 79 weather stations dotting the state.  Each generates real-time weather data that can give guidance on animal handling and care.  Wisconsin is following models from other states and global systems, but uniquely creating tools specifically for the state.   The "Cattle Comfort" tool available on the Wisconet website is the result of collaboration with dairy scientists in Wisconsin, and partnerships with dairy operations in Brillion, Darlington, De Pere, Durand, Marshfield, Montana, Rice Lake, and Wittenberg. 

America's Dairyland has had a problem.  It's estimated that dairy operations have an estimated 5,000-10,000 year-round immigrant laborers, rather than temporary seasonal visa holders, that help keep cows milked and fed.  There's no federal work program that applies to that unique situation.  Recently the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced some clarification on H2A governance and how it can be used.  It clarified that dairies should qualify for that tool.  Sam Moheban, immigration attorney at Ruder Ware law firm in Wausau, says that's good news but shouldn't lull dairies into a false sense of security.  Pam Jahnke finds out what he means. Over 2 inches of rain reported in places like Belgium, Valders and the Green Bay area yesterday.  Stu Muck says that moisture is leaving after today, but heat is right behind it.  Muck say we'll easily be back in the 90's by the weekend. Over 700 youth from 44 states and Canada, plus around 2,000 head of cattle are making the Junior National Hereford Show a success in Madison.  A mom and Hereford enthusiast from Lancast, WI, is keeping things rolling.  Kiley Allan talks with Jaclyn Bevans, board member of National Hereford Women, about the benefits exhibitors see beyond the ribbons and trophy's.  Bevans puts the accents on the family time spent preparing animals, and the skills youth participants are picking up in the 1400 skill based contests they've held this week too. HoHum.  That sums up the dairy market story lately.  Why won't if budge?  Ryan Yonkman, vice president of EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk it through.  Yonkman says consumer demand is flat at best.  Pizza sales have continued to slip, and the European Union is giving the U.S. plenty of price competition.  The good news is that U.S. dairy product continues to move in the export space, but will it continue.  Yonkman says a lot will depend on how the "holiday" buying season ramps up in the next few weeks.  He notes that schools will be starting to come back online in August, and the Labor Day holiday can be an indication of early holiday demand.

Sharing the great story of Wisconsin's beef industry can go in many different directions for many different audiences.  Dollars, however, are limited. That's one of the challenges facing Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council.  Vaassen, along with other state staff leaders, will be at the Summer Business Conference of the Cattlemen's Beef Board learning about projects that might fit with Wisconsin's direction.  Presenters will be from several different partners that contract with the Cattlemen's Beef Board.  Each with a particular area of expertise. Vaassen explains to her board members and producers the simple fact that there's not as many cattle in the U.S. today as there has been.  That directly dictates the operating budget for the Wisconsin Beef Council.  By investigating partnerships with other checkoff funded partners, Vaassen can parlay her limited budget into a bigger bang for Wisconsin producers buck.  Any ideas that she believes are worth pursuing will be shared with her Wisconsin board members for final decision on funding. In the past, for example, the Wisconsin Beef Council has used these partnerships to create reverse trade missions.  Brining foreign buyers to Wisconsin to learn about the unique system of beef production the state offers.  Vaassen and the staff at the Wisconsin Beef Council welcome questions or suggestions from producers or industry leaders.  The staff will be on hand in the Beef Tent at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days sharing educational materials with passersby.  You can also find more at their informative website - beeftips.com  

The need for affordable housing impacts our rural communities and their economies every day. But there is good news: there's people and programs working to ensure more homes are available. Done so through grants, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago hopes to incentivize the next generation of real estate developers to focus on the rural housing demand. Tashayanna Mixson sat down with me. She's currently one of their emerging rural development fellows, and she's working right here in Wisconsin. While the program itself focuses on both the rental and ownership side of the equation, Tashayanna tells me that she herself is focused on creating opportunities for affordable homeownership, a situation that she describes as a dire need for rural Wisconsin.

This week's crop progress and condition report put out by the USDA says Wisconsin corn and soybeans are well on their way to a fruitful crop. But what are farmers noticing directly in their fields? I sat down with regional crops and soils educator, Anastasia Kurth. She tells us if the boots on the ground observation aligns up with the report.

Field demonstrations have become a staple of successful WI Farm Technology Days events.  This year looks to be no exception.  Bob Bosold visits with one of the volunteers who has repeatedly been involved with this element of the show.   Ron Zygarlicke has served on the field demo committee for more than a decade.  This year, he's adding a twist by including Italian ryegrass in the mix. There's already rain moving into western Wisconsin this morning.  Stu Muck says that the cold front moving in will bring measurable rain from LaCrosse to Green Bay throughout the day.  The rest of the state can expect it later tonight and into Thursday. Anastasia Poull is officially on the job as the 79th Wisconsin Alice in Dairyland.  She's got a sweet task this month promoting July at National Ice Cream month.  Pam Jahnke is happy to participate!  Poull explains her background and passion for agriculture, and why explaining the state's role in ice cream production is a treat! Affordable housing is a conversation plaguing many Wisconsin communities.  Finding affordable housing in rural communities is like finding a needle in a haystack - and nobody wants to talk about building more needles for that haystack!  Kiley Allan gets the background from Tashayanna Mixson, Emerging Development Fellow (Emerging Rural Development Fellowship).  The gap in available rural housing forces residents out of their hometowns and shackles local businesses from recruiting and retaining employees.  Sponsored by grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, the rural development fellowship trains the next generation of developers to tackle rural housing shortages with custom, community-tailored projects rather than massive, urban-style apartment complexes. To achieve affordable homeownership, she advocates for the Community Land Trust model—a system gaining traction in Wisconsin that operates similarly to a condo model and helps secure long-term, attainable housing.  Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Wisconsin's Office of Rural Prosperity projects that the state will require between 140,000 and 227,000 additional housing units by the year 2030.

Every soybean grower knows about low market prices.  If you're a farmer sitting on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, those challenges turn into difficult decisions about where to invest checkoff dollars for the future.  Pam Jahnke sits down with WI Soybean Marketing Board Vice President, Matt Wagenson.  Wagenson farms near Bear Creek, managing just over 1,000 crop acres plus a beef operation. Now in his 12th year serving as a board member for Wisconsin soybean growers, Wagenson says he's got a more complete picture on how checkoff invested dollars are repaying growers today.  It takes time, and that's one thing he stresses when talking with other growers. "The most exciting things I've seen in the past two years for us, other than research, is what Delong's doing in Milwaukee,"  Wagenson says.  "Getting the Great Lakes going.  Start cranking stuff out of the Great Lakes out of the St. Lawrence Seaway."  Wagenson says Wisconsin soybeans can now get to Africa and the EU faster than almost any state.  That's one of the stories he shares when growers ask about where their investments are going. Wagenson says while the WI Soybean Marketing Board cannot invest in physical structures, they can support generating information that helps companies and businesses make decisions about those investment.  Find out more about how your soybean checkoff dollars are being spent in Wisconsin!

Janet Clark is a busy dairy woman at Vision Aire Farm LLC.  Clark juggles her active on-farm schedule with her duties as the chair of the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin farmer board.  Now that the dust has settled from amazing June Dairy Month acitivites, Clark shares some of the milestones DFW's attained that many dairies may have missed. Clark visits with Pam Jahnke about some of the campaigns DFW spearheads that dairy farmers might miss.  Those efforts include the direct connection DFW is facilitating in "meeting" customers where they're at.  Clark explains that they know sharing the story of Wisconsin dairy coupled with sampling product, leads to success.  This year, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin has already engaged more than 200,000 consumers through community events and farm experiences. After attending these events, 97% said they intend to return, and 98% said they're more likely to purchase Wisconsin cheese. Those personal connections help build trust and confidence in how Wisconsin dairy farmers care for their animals, land, and communities. It doesn't end there.  Clark says they recognize the need to start growing their next generation of customers.  That begins with the "Adopt A Cow" educational opportunity.  This is a personal favorite of Clark's.  It allows Wisconsin dairy farmers to bring school children into the barn virtually!  Again, so far this year, DFW has helped reached more than 55,000 students through programs like Adopt a Cow, connected with over 2,000 FFA students, and provided dairy education resources to 3,000 teachers. Clark believes that when young people understand where their food comes from, they become more informed consumers and future advocates for agriculture. These are just a few examples that make Clark proud to represent Wisconsin dairy operations on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board.  These are just a few examples.  She encourages farmers and interested foodies to investigate more at wisconsindairy.org.

There are some amazing ideas in food processing happening in Wisconsin, but some need a little financial support to get started.  Pam Jahnke finds out about a recent project with Westby Coop Creamery and the USDA Rural Development Agency.  Andrew Iverson is the state director for USDA Rural Development Agency.  He explains their overarching duties in working with businesses and organizations on building infrastructure.  Iverson describes the challenges being faced by Westby Coop Creamery.  It's the only cottage cheese producer in the state and demand for their product has outstripped capacity.  USDA Rural Development stepped in with at $15.5 million loan guarantee to help get that project underway. A calm Tuesday on the way weatherwise for Wisconsin.  STu Muck say temps will still move to the upper 80's, and it will feel warm with little breeze today.  There is a developing chance of storms moving in by Wednesday evening. July is an excellent time for preplanning your auction.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke to talk about the process his staff is currently going through with a lot of operators looking at auctions later this year.  Huhn says once that contract is signed, they start promoting the auction and items offered immediately.  Paid for by Steffes Group. Soybeans led the way up on Monday after rumors of a sale to China inspired traders.  So far, the gains have been maintained.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to explain what we know so far on the rumor.  He also focuses on areas that are starting to see stress in this weeks crop progress report.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days may be held on a dairy, but that doesn't stop them from remembering their other bovine friends. Dennis Breneman joins us. He's the chairman of the Beef Tent and a member of the State Executive Committee. His passion for beef starts with his own operation.

There will be an emphasis on safety in demonstrations at WI Farm Technology Days this year.  Jill Welke visits with retired fire chief, Jerry Minor, about the message he wants to convey to attendees.  Minor says today's responders lack the farming/agriculture knowledge that responders had 40 years ago when he began as a firefighter.  Minor says helping farms communicate directly with their local fire and rescue team members is incredibly important.  He shares some insights into some of the tools today's responders have access to that can improve their safety when responding to farm/ag related calls.  Minor says a farm's cooperation by providing information before an event is key. More wet weather will crowd our 4th of July outdoor plans according to Stu Muck.  The rain that moved through overnight also brought some minor hail.  Muck says that probably won't repeat this weekend. They may not be on the guest list, but you know they'll show up.  Mosquitos.  Kiley Allan finds out how Wisconsin's dry May impacted early mosquito development from PJ Leisch, UW-Extension Entomologist.  Leisch says Wisconsin is home to about 55 different varieties of mosquitoes, so one is always finding weather it can handle.  He says the biggest risk humans have for disease transfer from mosquitoes is West Nile Virus. Dairy country is dealing with the heat in different ways.  Matt Tranel, senior dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, tells Pam Jahnke that California is still relatively mild.  That's keeping its milk production moving along.  Meanwhile, in the EU, people and dairies are struggling against a wave of heat.  Tranel points out that many EU farms aren't equipped to handle bouts of heat.  He also brings an update on a dryer plant fire at a processor in Arizona.  Industry leaders are watching how and where that milk is temporarily relocated.

Multiple generations are getting ready to welcome visitors for the 2026 WI Farm Technology Days event.  Redetzke's No Joke Dairy outside of Stratford has a story to share about family working together and making a farm work.  Bob Bosold visits with family members Sam Redetzke and brother Matt on how they juggle schedules with off farm duties to keep the wheels rolling.  The state's largest outdoor agriculture event is coming up July 14-16. Heat returns to Wisconsin.  Stu Muck says we won't likely reach the 90's but it will be warmer.  Things should stay dry until at least Thursday according to the forecast. Today's investment in agriculture aren't just about technology and engineering.  Farms and farmers depend on people for good advice and service on the technology that they're investing in.  Our example today is Lake Effect Farm in the Plymouth area.  Brad Laack, the owner/operator of the farm, has placed a lot of trust in Tim Schultz, owner and operator of Schultz's Interstate Ag in Monroe.  Schultz's provides state-of-the-art grain handling technology across the Midwest, including Lake Effect Farm. Schultz visits with Pam Jahnke about the clear communication that's necessary on projects like this to make sure that a farmers dreamed are realized and maintained.  Paid for by Schultz's Interstate Ag. Soybeans are rallying on a Monday morning!  An unconfirmed sale of over 500,000 metric ton of soybeans going to an undisclosed destination is inspiring traders.  Pam Jahnke also updates the conversations between the U.S. and Canada on renewing USMCA. Agriculture technology isn't just limited to agriculture.  Kiley Allan finds out about the multi-use options for drones. Davis Napier, Owner and Operator at Seek, says he uses drones equipped with high-resolution thermal cameras and spotlights to locate downed deer for hunters who have lost the trail, want to avoid trespassing on neighboring land, or wish to minimize property disturbance. To stay within Wisconsin DNR regulations and avoid hunting with a drone, he requires clients to sign waivers and will only disclose a deer's location if the thermal imaging confirms the animal has already expired. Beyond recovery, the drone captures and stitches together thousands of images to create property maps that are significantly more detailed than satellite imagery, allowing landowners to see specific deer trails and terrain features. During the off-season, the technology is used for herd analysis to help landowners understand deer bedding patterns and population health (buck-to-doe ratios) without disrupting the animals during hunting season. Napier founded his business, Seeker, based on his lifelong passion for hunting and his childhood experience of the heartbreak associated with failing to recover a deer.

America's 250th birthday calls for a big celebration, and that's exactly what the Great American State Fair is. It's an opportunity for each state to showcase what makes them unique and special. Joey Hoey joins us, he's the assistant deputy secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He was in charge of putting together a display that shows off the best of what Wisconsin has to offer. Joey tells us about the road to the Great American State Fair.

If mosquitoes could talk, I have a feeling they would say the 4th of July is their favorite holiday. From fireworks shows to lake days and barbecues, the influx of people outside basically means we're bringing an all-you-can-eat buffet straight to the doorstep of the homes of mosquitoes. PJ Liesch joins us; he's an Extension Entomologist who keeps an eye on the populations of mosquitoes in Wisconsin throughout the summer. He tells us what he's seen so far.

Wisconsin beef producers joined a nationwide effort among State Beef Councils to amplify the beef industry’s summer grilling campaign.  Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Coordinator for the Wisconsin Beef Council explains the campaign with Pam Jahnke.  The Wisconsin Beef Council invited women with various stills and areas of influence to learn more about grilling beef.  It was worth their time, thanks to generous support from Pit Boss for the event – which not only included the use of their smokers but also the expertise of Pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen.  Whippen lead the course as a 25 year champion BBQ pitmaster and member of the 2022 BBQ hall of fame. Whippen shared tips and demonstrated how to cook Tri-Tips, Brisket, and burger basics. These influencers can then take this knowledge back to their audiences and increase confidence at the grill or smoker.  It was very well received. While giving hands-on skills to those grillers, the WI Beef Council also reached out through virtual experiences.  Kessler says WBC's partnership with the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom, Alice in Dairyland and Poppy Family Farms targeted elementary classrooms across the state with a virtual tour of a beef farm. Hosted by Wisconsin’s 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, alongside farmer Rebecca Poppy of Poppy Family Farms in Omro, the tour introduced students to cattle, animal care practices and the role beef farmers play in producing a safe, nutritious food supply. Preliminary participation estimates show approximately 35 classrooms and more than 600 students joined the live event. The recorded tour will be made available on BeefTips.com and wisagclassroom.org, allowing educators to access the content throughout the school year.

Janet Keller is the general manager of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. She tells Kiley Allan the details you need to know before you go to this year's event. We'll see you on July 14-16 at No Joke Dairy in Stratford!

After 60 years in teaching and broadcasting on the WI Public Radio Station Network, Larry Meiller is retiring.  Bob Bosold (who was a student of Larry's) chats with Meiller about how he started in broadcasting, and how things have changed.  One highlight is the amazingly popula call-in show that Meiller hosted.  Calls from across the state on people's pets! Hot and humid.  That sums up the forecast for this week according to Stu Muck.  Heat indexes will reach the dangerous category for people and animals. School may be adjourned for the summer but the learning continues at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton.  Kiley Allan tells us about a recent donation of land that will be used for hands on education in environmental sciences.  Paul Groell, Department Chair Natural Resources Program, explains what their priorities are for the 160 acres. Tomorrow is USDA's first estimate of planted acres in 2026.  One analyst thinks there were fewer corn acres planted then the government expected.  Josh McClure, head of brokerage and consulting at the Farmer’s Business Network, San Francisco, California says they expect 1.2 million fewer corn acres planted.  He also notes that soybean acreage didn't pick up those extra corn acres. Even with the heat and humidity - fairs must go on.  This week the Stoughton Jr. Fair in Stoughton gets things rolling on Tuesday.  Pam Jahnke gives a brief itinerary update on where folks might want to go for those stories.

Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, joins Pam Jahnke in the studio to present a 5 year update on how the WI Ag Export Council's been performing and what progress has been made.  Romanski says Wisconsin's dairy exports grew 35% from 2021 to 2025 (the timeframe the program's been in place).  He also notes that the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports program generated a 200-to-1 return on investment for Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association members in the most recent reporting year. It all bodes well, hopefully, for the continuation of the programs. Beautiful weekend on the way for the final gasp of June dairy events.  Stu Muck will be a part of those and paints a pretty decent forecast through the weekend.  He's also got cautionary advice to prepare for heat and humidity beginning on Monday. From a dream to reality.  Meet Brad Laack from rural Plymouth, WI.  He grew up a little removed from agriculture, but found his passion helping to raise beef animals that were designed to make hay disappear.  Once Laack got involved in that, the dream of building his own farming operation started to hatch.  Today, Pam Jahnke visits with Brad at his cash grain and custom operator business just outside of Plymouth.  Over the last year, Brad has taken the next step to elevate his grain handling abilities with the partnership of Schultz's Interstate Ag in Monroe.  Laack says the time they've taken to work through specific details that he was concerned about have solidified this partnership.  Today, Laack and Schultz's Interstate Ag are getting ready for the next phase of grain handling equipment and bins to be installed.  Paid for by Schultz's Interstate Ag. This week Wisconsin dairy operator's got a little good news in the way of a memorandum from the White House.  Pam Jahnke visits with Sam Moheban, immigration specialist with Ruder Ware law firm in Wausau.  The memorandum made clear that dairies that relay of foreign labor to keep things rolling should be sure they're following all the rules and guidelines within the H2A program.  Moheban says while it's not a silver bullet, it does make clear the direction the administration wants agencies to follow.

The temperatures are warming up ahead of the Independence Day holiday, and so are the grills. But do you know how much to expect your Fourth of July cookout to cost? The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, as well as the American Farm Bureau Federation, have released their Marketbasket Survey. It's an informal survey performed twice a year by volunteer shoppers. They participate by shopping for 12 different food items that are commonly used in both the Fourth of July cookout and the Thanksgiving holiday. This helps the organizations gauge the food prices across the state and across the country. Cassie Sonnentag, the Director of Public Relations with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, says prices were up.

If you love grilling in the summer, you're not alone. In fact, it's a trend so consistent that the prices in the summer meat market typically reflect more and more people going outside and choosing to grill. Jeff Swenson along with us, he's DATCP's livestock and meat specialist. He starts by giving us a 30,000-foot view of what the marketplace is doing right now.

We're seeing farms nationwide as well as here at home in Wisconsin struggling with a labor shortage. UW-Madison's agricultural safety and health specialist John Shutske says that's largely attributed to the low unemployment rate. He says that in order for farms to keep their labor, they must keep their operations attractive.