Wisconsin cheese is making its mark on the global stage. In just a few years, the number of state cheesemakers exporting their products has grown from nine to more than 30, reaching over 50 countries in 2025. DFW Board Member Mark Crave says through trade shows, retail programs, and international buyer missions, Wisconsin’s dairy checkoff is building strong connections with importers from Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. These efforts not only boost global recognition but also strengthen demand for Wisconsin milk, helping secure a stable future for the state’s dairy farmers.

Wisconsin cheese is making its mark on the global stage. In just a few years, the number of state cheesemakers exporting their products has grown from nine to more than 30, reaching over 50 countries in 2025. DFW Board Member Mark Crave says through trade shows, retail programs, and international buyer missions, Wisconsin&rsquo;s dairy checkoff is building strong connections with importers from Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. These efforts not only boost global recognition but also strengthen demand for Wisconsin milk, helping secure a stable future for the state&rsquo;s dairy farmers.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

More than $32 million in dairy farmer generated funds are managed by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW).  Headquartered in Madison, DFW focuses on enhancing the value of all Wisconsin produced dairy products.

Ultimately the goal is to return those dairy invested dollars back to the farm gate.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin connects with farmers and consumers to take them behind the curtain of marketing, analytics, and consumer trends to try and show them the value generated on their behalf.

This program is sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

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

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

Say Cheese, World! Wisconsin Grows Internationally

The American Coalition for Ethanol is actively engaging the EPA on the Renewable Fuel Standard, seeking final volumes and the reallocation of waived gallons to prevent demand destruction for ethanol producers and farmers. Katie Muckenhirn, vice president of public affairs, says ACE is also pushing Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to secure year-round E15 access across all states, which is vital for utilizing the nation's record corn crop. Additionally, the industry is focused on realizing the immense market potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), especially with the extension of the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit (45Z).

The American Coalition for Ethanol is actively engaging the EPA on the Renewable Fuel Standard, seeking final volumes and the reallocation of waived gallons to prevent demand destruction for ethanol producers and farmers. Katie Muckenhirn, vice president of public affairs, says ACE is also pushing Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to secure year-round E15 access across all states, which is vital for utilizing the nation's record corn crop. Additionally, the industry is focused on realizing the immense market potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), especially with the extension of the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit (45Z).

Ethanol Producers Seek Clarity & Market Access

The National Pork Producers Council is engaged in multiple battles across the U.S., citing key concerns over labor, trade, and the impact of the current administration's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.

A major concern is the proliferation of state-level animal housing regulations, led by California’s Proposition 12, which mandates specific space requirements for breeding pigs and other animals. It's influencing laws in other states like Oklahoma and Massachusetts. 

Lucy Russell, NPPC's director of producer engagement, says the organization is pushing for a legislative fix in the next Farm Bill to prevent a costly patchwork of conflicting regulations.

The National Pork Producers Council is engaged in multiple battles across the U.S., citing key concerns over labor, trade, and the impact of the current administration's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.
A major concern is the proliferation of state-level animal housing regulations, led by California&rsquo;s Proposition 12, which mandates specific space requirements for breeding pigs and other animals. It's influencing laws in other states like Oklahoma and Massachusetts.&nbsp;
Lucy Russell, NPPC's director of producer engagement, says the organization is pushing for a legislative fix in the next Farm Bill to prevent a costly patchwork of conflicting regulations.

Pork Battles Patchwork Regs & MAHA Uncertainty

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but one producer is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment.

The current market is seeing prices dip despite the typical holiday season rally. Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield says the effect was exacerbated by the government shutdown, when the commodity cheese trade didn't have market transparency. 

"What happens is that commodity cheese, it's a very high-quality cheese, and it's generally a colored cheddar, and it's produced at large quantities, and it's marketed through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange at large volumes," Heiman tells Mid-West Farm Report. "When the government shutdown was on, of course, there was no commodity facts coming out of how much cheese was in storage or how much cheese was being processed."

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but one producer is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment.
The current market is seeing prices dip despite the typical holiday season rally.&nbsp;Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield says the effect was exacerbated by the government shutdown, when the commodity cheese trade didn't have market transparency.&nbsp;
"What happens is that commodity cheese, it's a very high-quality cheese, and it's generally a colored cheddar, and it's produced at large quantities, and it's marketed through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange at large volumes," Heiman tells Mid-West Farm Report. "When the government shutdown was on, of course, there was no commodity facts coming out of how much cheese was in storage or how much cheese was being processed."

Say Cheese, World! Wisconsin Grows Internationally

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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