When you think about what keeps Wisconsin dairy strong, you probably picture farmers caring for their cows and cheesemakers making award-winning cheese. But there’s another important part of that story: the research and innovation helping turn our milk into products people want to buy.

The Center for Dairy Research (CDR), is located at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and it brings together scientists, cheesemakers, and dairy experts who help our industry solve problems and develop products.

Rick Roden, Echo Valley Farms and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors, representing District 18 (Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha) counties is fascinated by what happens there.  He explains some of the cutting techniques and innovations being developed thanks in part to funds from dairy operators like him.

When you think about what keeps Wisconsin dairy strong, you probably picture farmers caring for their cows and cheesemakers making award-winning cheese. But there&rsquo;s another important part of that story: the research and innovation helping turn our milk into products people want to buy.
The Center for Dairy Research (CDR), is located at the University of Wisconsin&ndash;Madison, and it brings together scientists, cheesemakers, and dairy experts who help our industry solve problems and develop products.
Rick Roden, Echo Valley Farms and <a href="https://www.wisconsindairy.org/">Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin </a>Board of Directors, representing District 18 (Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha) counties is fascinated by what happens there.&nbsp; He explains some of the cutting techniques and innovations being developed thanks in part to funds from dairy operators like him.

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!

The Magic Ingredient That IS The Center For Dairy Research - Rick Roden

Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells the Mid-West Farm Report the USDA and the Office of Management and Budget recinded their recent rule that would have required the four Dairy Business Innovation Initiative programs to provide 25% matching funds for their federal dollars, which Sweeney says would have killed the entire program.

Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells the Mid-West Farm Report the USDA and the Office of Management and Budget recinded their recent rule that would have required the four Dairy Business Innovation Initiative programs to provide 25% matching funds for their federal dollars, which Sweeney says would have killed the entire program.

USDA Reverses New Matching Funds Rule On Dairy Business Innovation Matching Funds

The 99th National FFA Convention is now history, but plans are already ramping up for the 100th celebration in 2027.  Jill Welke finds out what it takes to keep this behemoth of an organization moving forward from Dr. Scott Stump.  Stump is the National FFA's Chief Executive Officer in Indianapolis.  He explains to Welke how the group coordinates annual activities with the City of Indianapolis, and relays that information to chapters across the U.S.

Sunshine will return to Wisconsin beginning on Friday.  Stu Muck says despite light rain, there are still some combines rolling through corn fields.

Fresh faces, clean slates and empty notebooks.  After Tuesday's election, Wisconsin agriculture's getting ready to welcome fewer legislators than ever coming from agricultural backgrounds.  The burden falls directly on producers to build relationships from scratch, demystify modern food production, and ensure the realities of the farm gate aren't lost in the committee room. Pam Jahnke finds out how that will happen from Jason Mungniani, Executive Director of Government Relations with the WI Farm Bureau Federation.  He says the message was clear with the change of party direction.  

Harvest may not be complete, but that's not stopping growers from looking ahead to 2027.  Larry Lee notes that technology is becoming a bigger and bigger part of their plans.  Drones are now doing more for farms than ever before.  Adam Meddaugh with American Drone explains what attracts farms to the equipment.

Dairy largely stood on the sidelines during the election process. Now it's time to reengage. Kiley Allan finds out how that's happening from Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EA Risk in Platteville. Wachershauser says they're continuing to closely monitor holiday shopping and ingredient demand. Now, they also have to keep an eye on HPAI that's already been detected in some dairy herds in the Pacific Northwest.

The 99th National FFA Convention is now history, but plans are already ramping up for the 100th celebration in 2027.&nbsp; Jill Welke finds out what it takes to keep this behemoth of an organization moving forward from Dr. Scott Stump.&nbsp; Stump is the National FFA's Chief Executive Officer in Indianapolis.&nbsp; He explains to Welke how the group coordinates annual activities with the City of Indianapolis, and relays that information to chapters across the U.S.
Sunshine will return to Wisconsin beginning on Friday.&nbsp; Stu Muck says despite light rain, there are still some combines rolling through corn fields.
Fresh faces, clean slates and empty notebooks.&nbsp; After Tuesday's election, Wisconsin agriculture's getting ready to welcome fewer legislators than ever coming from agricultural backgrounds.&nbsp; The burden falls directly on producers to build relationships from scratch, demystify modern food production, and ensure the realities of the farm gate aren't lost in the committee room. Pam Jahnke finds out how that will happen from Jason Mungniani, Executive Director of Government Relations with the WI Farm Bureau Federation.&nbsp; He says the message was clear with the change of party direction.&nbsp;&nbsp; Harvest may not be complete, but that's not stopping growers from looking ahead to 2027.&nbsp; Larry Lee notes that technology is becoming a bigger and bigger part of their plans.&nbsp; Drones are now doing more for farms than ever before.&nbsp;&nbsp;Adam Meddaugh with American Drone explains what attracts farms to the equipment. Dairy largely stood on the sidelines during the election process. Now it's time to reengage. Kiley Allan finds out how that's happening from Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EA Risk in Platteville. Wachershauser says they're continuing to closely monitor holiday shopping and ingredient demand. Now, they also have to keep an eye on HPAI that's already been detected in some dairy herds in the Pacific Northwest.

Fresh Faces - Clean Slates At Capitol Plus Dare You Drone?

Agricultural education is a powerful tool that emphasizes hands-on learning and career readiness for students that participate in the program. But, programs can't reach their full potential without support. Jeff Wright supports agricultural education in two facets: both as the superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District, and also serving on the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. He tells Kiley Allan what the council, otherwise known as WAEWDC, do to support agricultural education and workforce development right here at home in the state of Wisconsin.

 

Photo: Jeff receiving an Honorary State Degree from Wisconsin FFA Association. Photo courtesy of Jeff Wright.

Agricultural education is a powerful tool that emphasizes hands-on learning and career readiness for students that participate in the program. But, programs can't reach their full potential without support. Jeff Wright supports agricultural education in two facets: both as the superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District, and also serving on the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. He tells Kiley Allan what the council, otherwise known as WAEWDC, do to support agricultural education and workforce development right here at home in the state of Wisconsin.
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Photo: Jeff receiving an Honorary State Degree from Wisconsin FFA Association. Photo courtesy of Jeff Wright.

The Magic Ingredient That IS The Center For Dairy Research - Rick Roden

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