In New Zealand’s Waikato District, a region known as the heart of dairy country, Jo Sheridan is making waves. She was named the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year for her work on the farm and as demonstration manager on the Owl Farm. She shares her dairy farm story with us and makes some comparisons between dairying on an island and what she’s learned here about dairy farming in Wisconsin. She starts off by introducing us to New Zealand’s dairy industry, and she concludes by reminding us how connected farmers are no matter the distance.

In New Zealand&rsquo;s Waikato District, a region known as the heart of dairy country, Jo Sheridan is making waves. She was named the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year for her work on the farm and as demonstration manager on the Owl Farm. She shares her dairy farm story with us and makes some comparisons between dairying on an island and what she&rsquo;s learned here about dairy farming in Wisconsin. She starts off by introducing us to New Zealand&rsquo;s dairy industry, and she concludes by reminding us how connected farmers are no matter the distance.

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

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

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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

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

She’s New Zealand’s Dairy Woman Of The Year & Her Message Hits Home

National FFA Week highlights the blue and gold for a week.  It's up to Emma Slavens, National FFA Alumni & Supporter to help keep that enthusiasm bubbling year round.  She visits with Jill Welke at the WI FFA Alumni's State Convention about how growing that supporter base has changed, and what messages they're offering in 2026.

Warmer weather for the southern portion of Wisconsin today, while north of highway 29 can expect snow.  Stu Muck says the snow will become more widespread by the weekend.

Farmer led watershed groups now dot the state from corner to corner.  One of the earliest groups formed was the Yahara Pride Farms watershed in south central Wisconsin.  Jeff Endres is a Waunakee dairy operator and the chair of the Yahara Pride Farms group.  He tells Stephanie Hoff that he's proud of how they've grown their on-farm demonstrations from 10-12 farms, to now involving close to 80 in real-world demonstrations of how conservation plans work.  One troubling issue for this particular group is how big an influence the non-farm surrounding community plays in their nutrient planning.  Endres acknowledges that as the population in Dane County grows, finding measurable results from their on farm practicies gets skewed.


Cheese and butter prices continue to climb in Chicago, and there are a few motivators that may keep that trend in place.  Pam Jahnke is joined by Matt Tranel, dairy analyst from EverAg to discuss how federal purchases through USDA, as well as a robust export market are keeping cheese and butter opportunities bright.

National FFA Week highlights the blue and gold for a week.&nbsp; It's up to Emma Slavens, National&nbsp;FFA Alumni &amp; Supporter to help keep that enthusiasm bubbling year round.&nbsp; She visits with Jill Welke at the WI FFA Alumni's State Convention about how growing that supporter base has changed, and what messages they're offering in 2026.
Warmer weather for the southern portion of Wisconsin today, while north of highway 29 can expect snow.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the snow will become more widespread by the weekend.
Farmer led watershed groups now dot the state from corner to corner.&nbsp; One of the earliest groups formed was the Yahara Pride Farms watershed in south central Wisconsin.&nbsp; Jeff Endres is a Waunakee dairy operator and the chair of the Yahara Pride Farms group.&nbsp; He tells Stephanie Hoff that he's proud of how they've grown their on-farm demonstrations from 10-12 farms, to now involving close to 80 in real-world demonstrations of how conservation plans work.&nbsp; One troubling issue for this particular group is how big an influence the non-farm surrounding community plays in their nutrient planning.&nbsp; Endres acknowledges that as the population in Dane County grows, finding measurable results from their on farm practicies gets skewed.
 Cheese and butter prices continue to climb in Chicago, and there are a few motivators that may keep that trend in place.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke is joined by Matt Tranel, dairy analyst from EverAg to discuss how federal purchases through USDA, as well as a robust export market are keeping cheese and butter opportunities bright.

Farmer Led Watersheds See New Challenges Plus Cheese & Butter Move Big - Tranel

This year's annual Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference looks to hit on some hard topics. Dr. David Kohl a Professor Emeritus of Ag Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech, will speak on building a resilient dairy business. He gives a sneak peek at what can be expected.

Mid-West Farm Report and PDP share a commitment to advancing dairy producers and supporting strong farm businesses. As part of that partnership, Mid-West Farm Report is extending a limited number of producer registrations to the Business Conference to first-time attendees. If you’ve never attended, this opportunity was designed with you in mind! Just text your name and email address to 877-301-3276.

This year's annual Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference looks to hit on some hard topics. Dr. David Kohl a Professor Emeritus of Ag Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech, will speak on building a resilient dairy business. He gives a sneak peek at what can be expected.
Mid-West Farm Report and PDP share a commitment to advancing dairy producers and supporting strong farm businesses. As part of that partnership, Mid-West Farm Report is extending a limited number of producer registrations to the Business Conference to first-time attendees. If you&rsquo;ve never attended, this opportunity was designed with you in mind! Just text your name and email address to 877-301-3276.

PDP Conference Expectations From An Economist

A leveling off of temperatures is expected to come soon but not before lower than normal temperatures pop in for the weekend according Ben Jarboe's conversation with ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

The winter has been a cold one across the US causing the waterways to lock up with ice. Kiley Allan talks with barge captain Jimmy "JRock" Cheatham to learn how they navigate the icy waters in order to keep the world moving.

With it being National FFA Week we are looking into some great things Wisconsin members have done. Stephanie Hoff has a chat with former state FFA officer Tyson Gehrke from Fennimore to see how his recent trip to Spain has changed the outlook of his future.

Last night the State Of The Union was given by President Trump and one member from the Wisconsin agricultural community was in attendance. Stephanie Hoff gets the scoop with president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association, Doug Rebout, and Congressman Mark Pocan. They share what the process was to get Doug to the speech and why it was important for a member of the agriculture community to be there.

Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke is joined by Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group to get some insight on what is happening with Wisconsin auctions. He says land is one of the top things being auctioned off this spring.

A leveling off of temperatures is expected to come soon but not before lower than normal temperatures pop in for the weekend according Ben Jarboe's conversation with ag meteorologist Stu Muck.
The winter has been a cold one across the US causing the waterways to lock up with ice. Kiley Allan talks with barge captain Jimmy "JRock" Cheatham to learn how they navigate the icy waters in order to keep the world moving.
With it being National FFA Week we are looking into some great things Wisconsin members have done. Stephanie Hoff has a chat with former state FFA officer Tyson Gehrke from Fennimore to see how his recent trip to Spain has changed the outlook of his future.
Last night the State Of The Union was given by President Trump and one member from the Wisconsin agricultural community was in attendance. Stephanie Hoff gets the scoop with president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association, Doug Rebout, and Congressman Mark Pocan. They share what the process was to get Doug to the speech and why it was important for a member of the agriculture community to be there.
Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke is joined by Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group to get some insight on what is happening with Wisconsin auctions. He says land is one of the top things being auctioned off this spring.

She’s New Zealand’s Dairy Woman Of The Year & Her Message Hits Home

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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