There’s a massive wave of capital investment, nearly $11 billion, flowing into dairy processing plants from Kansas to New York. But what does this mean for the person actually milking the cows? Leonard Polzin, Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension, discusses with Stephanie Hoff where that money is going, why our surging cheese exports are acting as a floor rather than a fuel for milk prices, and what Class III producers should be asking their processors to navigate a volatile 2026.

There&rsquo;s a massive wave of capital investment, nearly $11 billion, flowing into dairy processing plants from Kansas to New York. But what does this mean for the person actually milking the cows? Leonard Polzin, Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension, discusses with Stephanie Hoff where that money is going, why our surging cheese exports are acting as a floor rather than a fuel for milk prices, and what Class III producers should be asking their processors to navigate a volatile 2026.

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!

The $11B Question: Navigating Processing Realities In 2026

A broad coalition of agribusinesses and hunger relief groups today urged Wisconsin lawmakers to address an urgent need for $69.2 million in FoodShare funding, in the wake of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which shifted 75 percent of administrative costs to states. Wisconsin must take action now before the end of the legislative session or face the potential for penalties of up to $205 million and put benefits at risk.

FoodShare is a critical economic engine for Wisconsin’s food and agricultural sector. Each year, Wisconsin FoodShare participants redeem well over $1 billion in federally funded benefits at grocery retailers across the state.

“FoodShare is more than nutrition assistance,” says Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Senior Director of Programs & Policy. “Hundreds of millions of federal FoodShare dollars are used to purchase Wisconsin-grown and Wisconsin-made foods each year, supporting farms, manufacturing businesses, and jobs in every part of our state. Providing stability for FoodShare provides stability for Wisconsin agriculture, as well.”

With the final days of the legislative session rapidly approaching, timely action is critical to avoid compliance risks and ensure continuity of essential services for Wisconsin residents.
 
Other agriculture organizations that support the funding request include Cooperative Network, Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Pork Association, and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. Additionally, 165 organizations signed on to a letter to the Wisconsin State Legislature in support of the funding request.

A broad coalition of agribusinesses and hunger relief groups today urged Wisconsin lawmakers to address an urgent need for $69.2 million in FoodShare funding, in the wake of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which shifted 75 percent of administrative costs to states. Wisconsin must take action now before the end of the legislative session or face the potential for penalties of up to $205 million and put benefits at risk. FoodShare is a critical economic engine for Wisconsin&rsquo;s food and agricultural sector. Each year, Wisconsin FoodShare participants redeem well over $1 billion in federally funded benefits at grocery retailers across the state. &ldquo;FoodShare is more than nutrition assistance,&rdquo; says Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Senior Director of Programs &amp; Policy. &ldquo;Hundreds of millions of federal FoodShare dollars are used to purchase Wisconsin-grown and Wisconsin-made foods each year, supporting farms, manufacturing businesses, and jobs in every part of our state. Providing stability for FoodShare provides stability for Wisconsin agriculture, as well.&rdquo; With the final days of the legislative session rapidly approaching, timely action is critical to avoid compliance risks and ensure continuity of essential services for Wisconsin residents. &nbsp; Other agriculture organizations that support the funding request include Cooperative Network, Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Pork Association, and Wisconsin Potato &amp; Vegetable Growers Association. Additionally, 165 organizations signed on to a letter to the Wisconsin State Legislature in support of the funding request.

Wisconsin Agriculture Calls For Action To Support FoodShare

For decades, dairy farmers have been the quiet leaders of sustainability, constantly fine-tuning their operations to be more efficient. But historically, that progress hasn't always translated into a line item on the balance sheet. Jennifer Block, director of value chain partnerships with Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, discusses EmPower+, a new, farmer-led initiative designed to turn on-farm data into real marketplace value. She tells Stephanie Hoff what’s happening in the market landscape today that has Edge focused on sustainability and carbon emissions across the whole supply chain.

For decades, dairy farmers have been the quiet leaders of sustainability, constantly fine-tuning their operations to be more efficient. But historically, that progress hasn't always translated into a line item on the balance sheet. Jennifer Block, director of value chain partnerships with Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, discusses EmPower+, a new, farmer-led initiative designed to turn on-farm data into real marketplace value. She tells Stephanie Hoff what&rsquo;s happening in the market landscape today that has Edge focused on sustainability and carbon emissions across the whole supply chain.

EmPower+: Turning On-Farm Data Into Marketplace Value

Soybeans have been a hot topic over the last year with tariffs, South America, and China. Even though it has been grim one soybean industry has been able to avoid most of these issues. Scott Sinner, the Vice President of Supply Chain with SB&B Foods, shares how the food-grade soybean industry is actually doing pretty well. He says they have never sold their beans to China and the recent increase of GLP-1 use in the US is helping to boost them.

Soybeans have been a hot topic over the last year with tariffs, South America, and China. Even though it has been grim one soybean industry has been able to avoid most of these issues. Scott Sinner, the Vice President of Supply Chain with SB&amp;B Foods, shares how the food-grade soybean industry is actually doing pretty well. He says they have never sold their beans to China and the recent increase of GLP-1 use in the US is helping to boost them.

The $11B Question: Navigating Processing Realities In 2026

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