World Dairy Expo brings generations of dairy farmers, industry experts, technology innovators, and friends together in Madison, Wisconsin.

Pam Jahnke talks with Lisa Behnke, communications manager for World Dairy Expo. Learn how her return to dairy -- and to World Dairy Expo -- highlights the lasting pull of an industry that continues to bring people back, year after year. 

World Dairy Expo brings generations of dairy farmers, industry experts, technology innovators, and friends together in Madison, Wisconsin.
Pam Jahnke talks with Lisa Behnke, communications manager for World Dairy Expo. Learn how her return to dairy -- and to World Dairy Expo -- highlights the lasting pull of an industry that continues to bring people back, year after year.&nbsp;

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!

World Dairy Expo: Where the Dairy Industry Comes Together

It appears that Wisconsin's corn crop is going to need some more warm, dry weather to get closer to the harvest.  Andy Grebner, district sales representative for Wyffels covering Dane and Green counties says that things are still wet.

Couple that wet cob condition with weak stalks, and we could be facing some additional harvest challenges.  Grebner says with the humidity this spring, coupled with the exceptionally dry weather in the summer, plants are degrading quickly.  Managing which fields need to be harvested first is something each grower should be evaluating.

It appears that Wisconsin's corn crop is going to need some more warm, dry weather to get closer to the harvest.&nbsp; Andy Grebner, district sales representative for <a href="https://www.wyffels.com/">Wyffels</a> covering Dane and Green counties says that things are still wet.
Couple that wet cob condition with weak stalks, and we could be facing some additional harvest challenges.&nbsp; Grebner says with the humidity this spring, coupled with the exceptionally dry weather in the summer, plants are degrading quickly.&nbsp; Managing which fields need to be harvested first is something each grower should be evaluating.

Watch Stalk Quality While You Wait - Andy Grebner

From the outside, school lunches may seem simple.  However, handling dietary guidelines and financial constraints can make that meal anything but simple.  Kiley Allan learns more about the complicated process from Caitlin Harrison, Director of Food & Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District.  Harrison says menu planning for school meals must adhere to complex federal regulations governing calorie counts, sodium limits, fat percentages, whole grains, lean proteins, and fiber requirements. She says federal reimbursement must cover all operational costs—including labor, equipment, maintenance, and overhead—leaving only about $1.00 to $2.00 per student tray to cover actual food costs.  That means a budget really has to stretch.  Harrison says they try to stay in touch with the kids and parents on the menu.  They frequently conduct surveys asking strategic questions but it seems that students typically request favorites like chicken, pizza, and burgers, while parents ask for greater overall variety, whole grains, and diverse ethnic cuisine.

Today will be the last dry day for Wisconsin's weather.  Stu Muck says the moisture starts rolling in tonight.

Land sales are popping up again on the Steffes Group website.  Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that these transactions can take a little longer than selling a tractor because of the process and the price.


2,477 dairy animals are now housed at World Dairy Expo 2026.  Pam Jahnke visits with Lisa Behnke, communications director for the show, about the generational stories to be told.  Not just the cow generations, but the family generations caring for those cows.

Heavy harvest pressure being felt in the marketplace.  John Heinberg, market advisor for Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke for a quick update on how yields look.  Also monitoring any new business internationally that can help use this crop. He says that the wet weather is taking its toll on Iowa farm fields.  Despite the 'less than expected' results of talks with China, there's still been some interesting movement in soybeans available for immediate delivery.

From the outside, school lunches may seem simple.&nbsp; However, handling dietary guidelines and financial constraints can make that meal anything but simple.&nbsp; Kiley Allan learns more about the complicated process from Caitlin&nbsp;Harrison, Director of Food &amp; Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District.&nbsp; Harrison says menu planning for school meals must adhere to complex federal regulations governing calorie counts, sodium limits, fat percentages, whole grains, lean proteins, and fiber requirements. She says federal reimbursement must cover all operational costs&mdash;including labor, equipment, maintenance, and overhead&mdash;leaving only about $1.00 to $2.00 per student tray to cover actual food costs.&nbsp; That means a budget really has to stretch.&nbsp; Harrison says they try to stay in touch with the kids and parents on the menu.&nbsp; They frequently conduct surveys asking strategic questions but it seems that students typically request favorites like chicken, pizza, and burgers, while parents ask for greater overall variety, whole grains, and diverse ethnic cuisine.
Today will be the last dry day for Wisconsin's weather.&nbsp; Stu Muck says the moisture starts rolling in tonight.
Land sales are popping up again on the Steffes Group website.&nbsp; Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that these transactions can take a little longer than selling a tractor because of the process and the price.
 2,477 dairy animals are now housed at World Dairy Expo 2026.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Lisa Behnke, communications director for the show, about the generational stories to be told.&nbsp; Not just the cow generations, but the family generations caring for those cows.
Heavy harvest pressure being felt in the marketplace.&nbsp; John Heinberg, market advisor for Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke for a quick update on how yields look.&nbsp; Also monitoring any new business internationally that can help use this crop. He says that the wet weather is taking its toll on Iowa farm fields.&nbsp; Despite the 'less than expected' results of talks with China, there's still been some interesting movement in soybeans available for immediate delivery.

Over 2400 Animals At World Dairy Expo Plus Weather Takes A Toll On IA Crops - Heinberg

Farmers don't need to go it alone when it comes to conservation projects on their farms.  Jill Welke investigates options and assistance with Amber Radaatz, part of the Discovery Farms network in the state.  Radaatz says there's always projects going on and always interest in engaging with more farmers in different areas.

Nice Monday on the way but watch out for wet weather later this week. Stu Muck gives us a quick rundown.

With the tight margins farms are facing, you can't afford to miss any savings.  Larry Lee focuses on leasing land and the going rates with Jackie McCarville, UW-Madison Extension Agent.  McCarville says it's not just about entering into these land lease agreements, it's also about being to adjust them as time goes on.  It's also a mechanism for land owners to be able to exit when necessary.

World Dairy Expo's trade show may not begin until Tuesday but the dairy cattle action has already begun.  Pam Jahnke updates us on how some Wisconsin youth have been doing already in competitive events.

The phrase "influencers" has become a familiar.  Now those influencers are being called on by animal rights groups to sound off on farm policy development in Washington, D.C.  Pam Jahnke visits with Will Coggins, research director with CEW.  Center for the Environment and Welfare has found out that animal rights groups are paying basically anyone with a presence on social media to post comments about "Save our Bacon".  This is a policy piece that was part of the current farm bill being carved.  It would protect consumers from legislation like Prop 12 in California that limits production practices.  Coggins says their research shows consumers regret having Prop 12 in place. It's driven food costs up dramatically and limited access.  Coggins says these influences generally know nothing about agriculture let alone animal agriculture, but are trying to sway policemakers direction.

Farmers don't need to go it alone when it comes to conservation projects on their farms.&nbsp; Jill Welke investigates options and assistance with Amber Radaatz, part of the Discovery Farms network in the state.&nbsp; Radaatz says there's always projects going on and always interest in engaging with more farmers in different areas.
Nice Monday on the way but watch out for wet weather later this week. Stu Muck gives us a quick rundown.
With the tight margins farms are facing, you can't afford to miss any savings.&nbsp; Larry Lee focuses on leasing land and the going rates with Jackie McCarville, UW-Madison Extension Agent.&nbsp; McCarville says it's not just about entering into these land lease agreements, it's also about being to adjust them as time goes on.&nbsp; It's also a mechanism for land owners to be able to exit when necessary.
World Dairy Expo's trade show may not begin until Tuesday but the dairy cattle action has already begun.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke updates us on how some Wisconsin youth have been doing already in competitive events.
The phrase "influencers" has become a familiar.&nbsp; Now those influencers are being called on by animal rights groups to sound off on farm policy development in Washington, D.C.&nbsp; Pam Jahnke visits with Will Coggins, research director with CEW.&nbsp; Center for the Environment and Welfare has found out that animal rights groups are paying basically anyone with a presence on social media to post comments about "Save our Bacon".&nbsp; This is a policy piece that was part of the current farm bill being carved.&nbsp; It would protect consumers from legislation like Prop 12 in California that limits production practices.&nbsp; Coggins says their research shows consumers regret having Prop 12 in place. It's driven food costs up dramatically and limited access.&nbsp; Coggins says these influences generally know nothing about agriculture let alone animal agriculture, but are trying to sway policemakers direction.

World Dairy Expo: Where the Dairy Industry Comes Together

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