On Thursday, the full House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. is expected to consider removing the wolf from the endangered species list.  This is a conversation Wisconsin has been watching unfold.  With more and more deprivation reports coming from south of highway 29 in Wisconsin - what don't we know about Wisconsin wolves?

Randy Johnson is the Large Carnivore Specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  He talks with Pam Jahnke about what people may not know about wolves today.  How do they move?  How big are the average packs in Wisconsin, and why are they seemingly moving south?

Johnson says they're currently involved in their winter tracking efforts.  That's a cooperative activity involving state and federal employees, as well as the general public, looking for tracks wherever they are.  Johnson says they're also currently monitoring some 40 Wisconsin wolves that have been fitted with GPS collars.

The Pet and Livestock Protection Act will be voted on by the full U.S. House on Thursday., 12/18.  H.R. 845 directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the Department of the Interior’s 2020 final rule that delisted gray wolves in the lower 48 states from the Endangered Species Act and ensures this decision is not subject to judicial review.

On Thursday, the full House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. is expected to consider removing the wolf from the endangered species list.&nbsp; This is a conversation Wisconsin has been watching unfold.&nbsp; With more and more deprivation reports coming from south of highway 29 in Wisconsin - what don't we know about Wisconsin wolves?
Randy Johnson is the Large Carnivore Specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.&nbsp; He talks with Pam Jahnke about what people may not know about wolves today.&nbsp; How do they move?&nbsp; How big are the average packs in Wisconsin, and why are they seemingly moving south?
Johnson says they're currently involved in their winter tracking efforts.&nbsp; That's a cooperative activity involving state and federal employees, as well as the general public, looking for tracks wherever they are.&nbsp; Johnson says they're also currently monitoring some 40 Wisconsin wolves that have been fitted with GPS collars.
The Pet&nbsp;and Livestock Protection Act will be voted on by the full U.S. House on Thursday., 12/18.&nbsp; H.R. 845 directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the Department of the Interior&rsquo;s 2020 final rule that delisted gray wolves in the lower 48 states from the Endangered Species Act and ensures this decision is not subject to judicial review.

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.

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What Don't We Know About WI Wolves - Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist

Think of your cheese going through TSA before it gets to you -- metal detectors, X-rays... and the careful eyes of the farmer, processor, and the dairy sanitation specialists with the state of Wisconsin. But sometimes, issues still happen. We’re getting a look at the recall process today with Elsie Lundquist. She’s one of 20 dairy sanitarians with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Think of your cheese going through TSA before it gets to you -- metal detectors, X-rays... and the careful eyes of the farmer, processor, and the dairy sanitation specialists with the state of Wisconsin. But sometimes, issues still happen. We&rsquo;re getting a look at the recall process today with Elsie Lundquist. She&rsquo;s one of 20 dairy sanitarians with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Behind The Scenes Of A Recall

Despite the Farmer's Bridge Assistance program and the $11 billion it's bringing to farms, there's still no Farm Bill.  Bob Bosold talks about the agenda yet to be tackled on farm policy with Rod Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.  Larew was in Wisconsin for the 95th annual meeting of the WI Farmers Union.  He says that while farms are grateful for the financial assistance, they'd rather get their "check" from the world marketplace.  Larew says the battle doesn't end with tariffs.  He says it's also about the concentration that's happened in the food processing and agribusiness sector as a whole.  He says they're still pushing for a Farm Bill, but recognize with the divisiveness in D.C. and elections ahead, getting it over the goal line may be difficult.

Warmer weather today will transition to windy and wet as the day unfolds.  Stu Muck says that temperatures will also start slipping once we reach the weekend.


Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group highlights some upcoming Wisconsin auctions currently on their website.  It includes an equipment dispersal at Delong Company in Clinton and a land sale coming up near Columbus.  Paid for by Steffes Group.


Wisconsin dairy producers aren't happy with their milk checks, but they should be happy with how consumption of dairy products has continued to grow.  USDA released numbers from 2024 that highlighted butter consumption breaking all records and cottage cheese enjoying an increase in buyers.  Pam Jahnke recaps some of the information. 


The holiday season is the number one spot in a calendar year for prime rib sales.  Angie Horkan with the WI Beef Council says that even with higher prices, consumers are buying ribs.  She also offers some cost saving recipes available at beeftips.com.  Paid for by Equity Livestock Cooperative Sales Association.

Despite the Farmer's Bridge Assistance program and the $11 billion it's bringing to farms, there's still no Farm Bill.&nbsp; Bob Bosold talks about the agenda yet to be tackled on farm policy with Rod Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.&nbsp; Larew was in Wisconsin for the 95th annual meeting of the WI Farmers Union.&nbsp; He says that while farms are grateful for the financial assistance, they'd rather get their "check" from the world marketplace.&nbsp; Larew says the battle doesn't end with tariffs.&nbsp; He says it's also about the concentration that's happened in the food processing and agribusiness sector as a whole.&nbsp; He says they're still pushing for a Farm Bill, but recognize with the divisiveness in D.C. and elections ahead, getting it over the goal line may be difficult.
Warmer weather today will transition to windy and wet as the day unfolds.&nbsp; Stu Muck says that temperatures will also start slipping once we reach the weekend.
 Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group highlights some upcoming Wisconsin auctions currently on their website.&nbsp; It includes an equipment dispersal at Delong Company in Clinton and a land sale coming up near Columbus.&nbsp; Paid for by Steffes Group.
 Wisconsin dairy producers aren't happy with their milk checks, but they should be happy with how consumption of dairy products has continued to grow.&nbsp; USDA released numbers from 2024 that highlighted butter consumption breaking all records and cottage cheese enjoying an increase in buyers.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke recaps some of the information.&nbsp;
 The holiday season is the number one spot in a calendar year for prime rib sales.&nbsp; Angie Horkan with the WI Beef Council says that even with higher prices, consumers are buying ribs.&nbsp; She also offers some cost saving recipes available at <a href="http://beeftips.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://beeftips.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766056445881000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3xF5vMHg0g1wK3fXxjrdlc">beeftips.com</a>.&nbsp; Paid for by Equity Livestock Cooperative Sales Association.

New Year Comes With No New Farm Bill Plus Prime Rib Is A Holiday Staple

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment.

Higher-than-average temperatures mid-week may bring some precipitation, only to freeze later, says ag meteorologist Stu Muck.

Grace Atherton with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association emphasizes that pasteurization effectively inactivates the bird flu virus, ensuring that commercially sold milk and cheese remain safe for consumption. Dairy processors are prioritizing food and employee safety with strict procedures.

The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program has a deadline this week. Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, says the first thing farmers need to do is submit an acreage report by Dec. 19.

Market advisor John Heinberg discussed the minimal market reaction to Wisconsin's first dairy cattle bird flu case, while noting that grain markets are entering a seasonal window that typically offers price support and rally opportunities for corn and soybean farmers. He emphasized that current rallies should be used to protect against downward pressure ahead of the South American crop forecast.

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment.
Higher-than-average temperatures mid-week may bring some precipitation, only to freeze later, says ag meteorologist Stu Muck.
Grace Atherton with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association emphasizes that pasteurization effectively inactivates the bird flu virus, ensuring that commercially sold milk and cheese remain safe for consumption. Dairy processors are prioritizing food and employee safety with strict procedures.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program has a deadline this week. Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, says the first thing farmers need to do is submit an acreage report by Dec. 19.
Market advisor John Heinberg discussed the minimal market reaction to Wisconsin's first dairy cattle bird flu case, while noting that grain markets are entering a seasonal window that typically offers price support and rally opportunities for corn and soybean farmers. He emphasized that current rallies should be used to protect against downward pressure ahead of the South American crop forecast.

What Don't We Know About WI Wolves - Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist

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