MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Every year, a fleet of farm machinery begins a journey that follows the grain harvest from South to North. But custom harvesting is about more than just cutting wheat or corn. It’s a logistics game. And it involves cutting-edge data, complex labor laws, and a constant battle against the elements. Paul Paplow is the president of U.S. Custom Harvesters. He’s based out of Northwest Iowa, but he covers national ground. He reflects on a busy year. He explains that while the equipment is getting smarter and the data is getting more precise, the heart of custom harvesting still lies in the people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we get started in a new year, we’re continuing our look into risk management and the safety nets that keep farms running. Between shifting weather patterns and record government shutdowns, how stable is your coverage? We talk about it today with Stefanie Wolfe, a regional sales manager with Rural Community Insurance Services, or RCIS. We start with how she’s navigated government delays this fall. Wolfe also advises growers not to leave support on the table. Make sure your operation is protected for whatever the next season throws your way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year's Eve! Mid-West Farm Report takes a trip down memory lane, looking at our most popular stories of 2025. We start with No. 5 -- when a Wisconsin construction company was preparing for tariffs before a March 1 expected deadline. In other news, FSA State Director Sandy Chalmers reviews 2025, including a look toward the rollout of Farmer Bridge Assistance. The Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update says cold temperatures are on the way tonight. Meanwhile, the weekend might feel like spring! The No. 4 story of 2025 -- rural residents seeking more information on wind energy, and whether wind turbines belong in their communities. This morning, the Steffes Group tells us how they are bringing in first-time online auction buyers with a buying guide. At No. 3, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski discussed the reason behind the proposed fee hikes for livestock markets, dealers, and truckers in early September. At No. 2, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association CEO Curt Larson said the 1,700% proposed fee hikes would be problematic for farmers. Since this coverage, DATCP announced it would rework its original proposal. And the top story of the year -- celebrating Compeer Financial's 2025 GroundBreakers, a Fond du Lac couple, Evan and Taylor Schrauth. Find these top stories tonight at midwestfarmreport.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The beef-on-dairy revolution is a move that has turned day-old calves from a sale-barn afterthought into thousand-dollar revenue streams. Joining us is Rabobank’s Senior Beef Industry Analyst for North America, Lance Zimmerman. He tells us how and why the U.S. is currently leading the pack in this global trend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lefse is a soft Norwegian flatbread and a cherished traditional holiday food. Stephanie Hoff sat down with Marshall Olson, the owner of Countryside Lefse. He explained the art of crafting delicious lefse. The Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update had a high emphasis on the abrupt weather changes Wisconsin has seen lately. Stu Muck says we can expect light snow to continue through the middle of the week. Regenerative agriculture is a term we are hearing more and more from Washington D.C. Kiley talked to a fifth generation farmer, Rick Clark. Rick has been on a regenerative journey for 17 years and says the biggest benefit has come in the form of healthier soil. Ben Jarboe caught up with Grace Howe, Executive Director at WABA, for a preview of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic. She tells us about the top policy priorities of the organization.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re looking at the data behind the headlines. David Widmar, managing partner at Agricultural Economic Insights, breaks down trends in the farm economy to help producers and others in the industry align with the current market conditions. One of the headlines we discuss today: How do data centers or renewable energy arrays fit in the ag landscape? The U.S. agricultural land market is entering a period of “cooling,” Widmar explains. While land values remain stable for now, he warns that a combination of high interest rates and tightening profit margins may soon force a market adjustment. Stakeholders weigh the rising demand for renewable energy against shifting economic realities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regenerative agriculture has been growing in popularity for some time now and a huge part of this is the use of cover crops. Here to give a look into the growth of the industry is Green Cover Seed Co-Owner Keith Burns. They have noticed firsthand the increase of cover crop integration on US farms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year the beef industry has seen record highs and announcements of importing beef from Argentina. With a lot of changes in 2025 the Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association has had many things to work through. Sam Schwer is on the Board of Directors for the group. He gives a look into their most recent work and insight on some of the top issues they are facing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winter always brings on a new set of challenges with frigid temperatures and icy roads, but unlike many that try to stay inside during these times, farmers need to continue their work in the outdoors. Here to give some tips on how to stay safe during this dangerous time of here is Melissa Ploeckelman Brown. She is the outreach specialist with the National Farm Medicine Center. She says that aside from the winter dangers, they have also been working with safety in agritourism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to ag meteorologist Stu Muck cold weather will persist and may bring some more snow soon. Kiley Allan has a chat with Maddie Dobbs to see how she went from classroom to classroom. She shares her story of becoming an agricultural teacher at Melrose-Mindoro. The record government shutdown closed a lot of things for farmers, but according to National Crop Insurance Services president, Tom Zacharias, it did not interrupt their ability to pay claims. Stephanie Hoff has the Story. Keith Burns, a co-owner of Green Cover Seed out of Nebraska, gives an update on what the cover crop industry is looking like as a whole. John Heinberg, a Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing joins the show with host Ben Jarboe to give a review of the 2025 year and a look into 2026. He says currently the metal markets are going crazy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources administers a program to award grants for up to 50 percent of the cost of acquiring supplies, equipment, and training related to suppressing forest fires. A new bill in the state Legislature allows SoyFoam to be eligible for grants under the program. Author Sen. Howard Marklein explains what has to happen in 2026 to make it possible. The bill has already passed the state Senate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the death of a 22-year-old who couldn’t afford a sudden price hike for his asthma medication, state lawmakers are advancing legislation to reform how prescription drugs are priced and managed in Wisconsin. The “Cole’s Act” was inspired by an Appleton man who went to pick up a routine inhaler only to find the price had jumped from $66 to $539. Choosing to pay his rent instead of the price at the counter, he passed away from an asthma attack just days later. The bill aims to prevent such tragedies by requiring a 90-day notification for price changes and preventing insurers from dropping drug coverage mid-plan. Beyond consumer protections, the bill targets Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which, co-sponsor Sen. Howard Marklein says, are squeezing rural independent pharmacies out of business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When disease outbreaks occur, it requires a team effort to make sure it is quickly and safely contained. The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) works alongside DATCP to ensure proper protocols are followed. Julie Sweney is the Executive Director at WLIC. She sat down with me to explain their role in livestock production health and identification.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a humble soybean in a Midwest field find its way into the engine of a commercial jet? Infrastructure and friendly policy. We’re talking about the massive boom in Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF and the hurdles that still stand in the way. Paul Winters, Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications for Clean Fuels Alliance America, has the details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an industry as unpredictable as agriculture, having a safety net isn't just a luxury, it’s a necessity. But what happens to that net when the government shuts down, or when a massive hurricane levels a season's work? Today, we’re sitting down with Tom Zacharias, President of National Crop Insurance Services. We talk about the 'shot in the arm' provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill, and why American farmers lean on crop insurance to protect their livelihood. First, he reminds us what National Crop Insurance Services does.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flies aren’t just a nuisance; they cost the livestock industry billions in lost production, and the threat of diseased flies threatens the food chain. Brian Hupp is a national account manager at Central Life Sciences. He tells us why stopping flies in the manure is the ultimate labor-free solution for your operation. Whether you're battling pasture horn flies or confinement stable flies, an integrated pest management program can protect your livestock’s health and your bottom line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merry Christmas Eve from Mid-West Farm Report! The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a formal transit permit to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus. The permit grants a fleet of reindeer entry through any U.S. border port starting at 6 p.m. tonight. USDA Chief Veterinary Officer Rosemary Sifford says to keep American livestock safe, port personnel will be on hand to disinfect the sleigh’s runners and ensure Mr. Claus’s boots are scrubbed clean after his global travels. To accommodate a significant expansion and the installation of a new harvest area, Pingel Processing LLC is undergoing a three-phase renovation designed to keep its retail space open for customers. Dallas Pingel also tells Ben Jarboe about their popular holiday meat boxes and summer sausage. The Compeer Financial Ag Weather Update calls for a good holiday travel day today. Be wary of icy roads tonight after a slight drizzle touches most of southern Wisconsin. Snow is possible this weekend with a cold front coming in. Is there still time for used farm equipment to go under the Christmas tree? Pam Jahnke checks in with The Steffes Group on the holiday auction scene, including what's on the auction block in early 2026. The Wisconsin Soybean Association is closely monitoring recent federal actions related to potential restrictions on certain foreign-manufactured drones used in U.S. agriculture and the possible impacts on soybean farmers. President Doug Rebout urges a balanced approach. Soon, Santa Claus will be taking to the skies with his magical reindeer to deliver presents around the globe, but what does the rest of the year look like for these animals? Jeff Phillips of Reindeer Games in Erin, Wisconsin, shares with us a year in the life of a reindeer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It turns out that what’s on the plate for livestock, and our pets, is caught in a geopolitical and regulatory tug-of-war. From a dependency on China for essential vitamins to the MAHA movement's potential impact on feed standards, the American Feed Industry Association is juggling a lot of topics with us today. Leah Wilkinson is AFIA's chief policy officer. She starts off by explaining to us the volatility around feed ingredients, including where they come from. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Christmas will be a bit warmer than usual but, that also means it will be safe travels with only a slight chance of ice on the roads according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. 8 to 12 years. That's how long it takes for a Christmas tree to grow before it is ready for our around two months of holiday celebration. Stephanie Hoff joins the show with Jeff Aissen, the owner of Aissen Tree Farm just south of Luxemburg, to see what it takes to grow these holiday staples. The holiday season usually brings on a lot of great food for the family to enjoy, and this may include lamb. Kiley Allan chats with Ben Lefeldt, the President of the American Sheep Industry Association, to get an update on what they are doing to make sure their producers are getting the pay they deserve. Market advisor John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins the show to give an update ahead of the holiday. He says that the beef has seen good demand, but there is still too much milk being produced on the dairy side.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is intensifying its efforts to boost the industry’s bottom line by expanding international markets and investing in urban education. Through partnerships with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the Beef Checkoff is successfully marketing "the whole animal" by identifying international culinary needs that differ from domestic trends. A recent $7.9 million investment has allowed USMEF to promote products like tripe and tongue in Mexico, and a nutrient-dense "liver burger" in Peru to combat iron deficiency. "Across the world, there are some of the parts of a beef animal that we don't eat as much in the U.S.," says Cheryl DeVuyst, Vice Chair of the Cattlemen's Beef Board. "It is helping with the health and nutrition of the people in Peru, but then it's increasing the bottom line for our producers because that's selling product that we don't really eat as much of here."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Animal Agriculture Alliance is doubling down on its efforts to promote the role of animal proteins in a balanced lifestyle. The organization recently launched a refreshed version of its "Meat Matters" guide, a resource designed to counter campaigns like "Meatless Mondays" that have gained traction in universities and K-12 schools. Communications Director Emily Ellis explains that removing meat from menus can lead to unintended nutritional gaps.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for another Mid-West Farm Report Ride-A-Long. An opportunity to accept invitations to find out about the latest technology and innovations Wisconsin farmers are evaluating and using. Today we travel to Malta, IL and the site of the Syngenta Seeds Research and Development Innovation Center. Pam Jahnke finds out about the length of time required to develop products like the new Durastak corn rootworm tool. Drew Showalter, Head, Corn Portfolio Strategy, tells Pam about the evolution of the product and why it's a game-changer for Wisconsin farmers. The technical innovation that makes Durastak possible involves molecular stacking, speed to market, proteinexpression, and trait development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weeds remained an evolving challenge for Wisconsin farmers. Jill Welke gets a recap from UW-Extension Weed Specialist, Dr. Rodrigo Werle. Werle's making his rounds statewide sharing what they learned this growing season. He says there were some breakthroughs this year that proved to be challenging. Those breakthroughs were weeds overcoming existing chemistry to keep growing. Werle says he's got a long list of projects to try and get grower answers for 2026. Above average temperatures will make a white Christmas unlikely in many areas of Wisconsin. Stu Muck explains what's acting as the catalyst for this late December warm-up. Time for another Mid-West Farm Report Ride-A-Long. An opportunity to accept invitations to find out about the latest technology and innovations Wisconsin farmers are evaluating and using. Today we travel to Malta, IL and the site of the Syngenta Seeds Research and Development Innovation Center. Pam Jahnke finds out about the length of time required to develop products like the new Durastak corn rootworm tool. Drew Showalter, Head, Corn Portfolio Strategy, tells Pam about the evolution of the product and why it's a game-changer for Wisconsin farmers. Paid for by Syngenta. On Friday Wisconsin animal health officials announced the genomic sequencing information gathered from the H5N1 positive herd in Dodge County. Pam Jahnke reports that the genotype was found to be D1.1, a spillover from wildlife into dairy cattle. This is new and no connected to previous detections that trace their strain to an outbreak in the Texas Panhandle. Wisconsin's seen no new dairy detections and continues to rigorously monitor dairies through the National Milk Testing Strategy. A new bipartisan bill introduced on Friday could provide hope for wedding barn operators in 2026. The bill LRB-2567 would roll back 2023 Act 73 that restricts venues to six alcohol-consuming events annually. Jean Bahn, operator of Farmview Event Center in rural Green Lake County says potential clients do not like having their event restricted. She says she's lost business because people want to be able to feature alcohol as a guests option. Bahn had previously filed suit against the state claiming Act 73 was unconstitutional and designed to put her out of business. When a court ruling went against her motion last month, this new bipartisan bill became a last ray of hope for retaining business in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin farms feature a lot of different crops and animals, but despite our diversity - it doesn't normally include reindeer. Reindeer, otherwise known as caribou, take center stage for a lot of stories during the holiday season. Ben Jarboe takes a fun adventure to find out more about what reindeer eat and need before their grand flight. He gets the details from Jeff Phillips, owner of Reindeer Games in Erin, Wisconsin. Phillips explains how the animals nutritional needs change from winter to summer, and how adapt they are to fit their conditions. Winds have started to pick up around Wisconsin and that will be the story today. Stu Muck says wind chills will be part of the conversation today with improving temperatures into next week. There's a lot of conversations happening about buy local and knowing your farmer. The Wisconsin Farmers Union committed to incorporating locally produced ingredients in their convention menu this year. Not an easy feat! Stephanie Hoff talks to Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects with the Wisconsin Farmers Union. The organization chose to "put their money where their mouth is" by reinvesting their convention budget directly into the hands of the family farmers they represent. For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. They fed 280 attendees seven meals each. The event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients from 40 farmer members. Rather than asking the hotel to change its entire menu, organizers worked with Chula Vista’s chefs to swap local ingredients—like beef, eggs, and cheese—into the resort’s existing recipes to make the transition easier for the kitchen staff. By using "procurement partners" (such as Organic Valley and the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative), the organization was able to aggregate products from many small farms into fewer deliveries, making large-scale local sourcing more efficient. Despite the convention taking place in December, the meals featured a wide variety of local products, including storage crops (potatoes and garlic), frozen roasted vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, and diverse dairy products. Seeing their farm names and logos on event signage and knowing their products were being served significantly boosted member morale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The number one issue that whenever I talk to farmers has always been labor," says Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. "We're not going to be able to survive if we do not have labor needs met." Wenzlaff explains that the traditional model of family-run operations has been upended via economic pressure or lack of interest from younger generations. This has forced the industry to look toward comprehensive federal reform as the only path forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union concluded its 95th annual convention, celebrating a year defined by both legislative hurdles and significant internal growth. Executive Director Danielle Endvick, who took the helm in May, tells Mid-West Farm Report that despite a volatile federal and state landscape, the organization is "busting at the seams" with new energy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. By partnering with Chula Vista Resort and several regional food hubs, the event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients, ranging from storage crops like garlic and potatoes to proteins and dairy, from 40 farmer members. With the products, staff fed 280 attendees seven meals each. The initiative wasn’t just about the menu. It was about honoring the farmers in the room, says Layne Cozzolino, director of special projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlike previous highly pathogenic strains seen in other regions, the specific variant at a Dodge County dairy farm appears to have a minimal impact on cattle health, according to a local veterinarian. Dr. Monty Belmer is one of the partners at Waupun Veterinary Service. Being in Dodge County, where Wisconsin detected its first bird flu case in dairy cattle, they’re on alert. He explains to Mid-West Farm Report how day-to-day operations change for veterinary staff when there's a disease outbreak in proximity. "Anytime there's a disease outbreak in the area, we go back and talk to our clients and make sure that their biosecurity protocols and procedures are enhanced," he says. "All of our clients do a really good job with biosecurity on their dairies anyway, but we just kind of step it up a notch to make sure that we are following all our procedures."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big day in Washington D.C for wolves. The House of Representatives will vote on the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. Ultimately, the decision will determine if the gray wolf will stay on the endangered species list. Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke and Wisconsin DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, Randy Johnson, discuss Wisconsin's wolf population data and movement patterns. Ag meteorologist Stu Muck and Kiley Allan talk about the warmer temperatures we have been seeing. Temperatures will continue to swing in the upcoming week. No two days as a veterinarian look the same. Dr. Monty Belmer, a local veterinarian explains the standard practices and the heightened precautions veterinarians take when a disease outbreak occurs to Stephanie Hoff. Dr. Arden Anderson, a Physician and Agricultural Consultant, tells Ben Jarboe that farmers are a high-risk group for several health concerns including cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. He tells us one reason why the group is considered high risk.Dairy market analyst, Cody Koster, breaks down the suspected market effects of Avian Influenza. He looks into his crystal ball and forecasts the GDT trends we can expect going into the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin has gotten its first confirmed case of HPAI in a dairy herd in Dodge County, and that may leave a lot of you wondering, what does this mean for our cheese? Grace Atherton, the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association Communications Director, is here to share what these processing plants are doing to make sure our dairy foods remain safe. She says that all dairy products are safe to consume and prior history shows the demand will not waver.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not just soybeans caught in the crosshairs of tariffs. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is battling against tariffs and phytosanitary challenges on the global scene, too. Dan Halstrom is the CEO of USMEF. He visits with Bob Bosold about the challenges and opportunities he sees. Halstrom notes that while some markets like China are still throwing up obstacles, there are still areas like Central America and regions of Africa that hold tremendous promise for U.S. meat products.Warmer weather is on its way, but it brings gusty winds. Stu Muck says the warmer weather will put a dent in the snowpack around the state by later this week. Wisconsin detected its first case of H5N1 and announced the findings on Sunday. Pam Jahnke gets the details on what consumers should know from Adam Brock, administrator of the Food Safety and Recreation Dept. at DATCP. Brock says with the rigid system Wisconsin put in place earlier this year, the impacted cow/herd was detected before milk left the farm. Brock also reiterates that even milk impacted by H5N1 is safe for human consumption once pasteurized. It's a different dairy story from the current Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. She visits with Stephanie Hoff about how real Wisconsin butter adds a delicious element to the holiday season. Hagenow reminds consumers that if they want to know their dairy comes from Wisconsin, look for the "Proudly Wisconsin" badge or the number 55 on the dairy packaging. That tells you the product is Wisconsin-based. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Hagenow, the 78th Alice in Dairyland, stamped her passport when she went to Shanghai, China with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Kiley Allan catches up with Sarah and learns about her favorite parts of the trip. It's about to get colder. Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck walks us through our forecast. He reminds us to bundle up if you're going outside this weekend. The intricacies of war can leave soil unhealthy, and action must be taken to ensure agriculture production is restored. Ben Jarboe talks to Mike McNeill, a soil scientist, who is helping farmers in Ukraine build soil health amid the war with Russia. The iconic Wisconsin Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition since the early 1900s. Darrin Smith is the Superintendent of the Building Grounds at the State Capitol. He told Stephanie Hoff about the journey of this year's tree. It's time again for another Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along. This ride along focuses on the technology and advancements today's Wisconsin farmers are using going into 2026. Today Pam Jahnke travels to Malta, IL to find out what's happening at the Syngenta Seeds Research & Development Innovation Center. Matt Dolch is the Corn Product Manager for Syngenta. While he started as an intern years ago, today Dolch is excited about the new technology Syngenta's bringing to the market by fall of 2026 in combating corn rootworm. Paid for by Syngenta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ensuring animals get the proper nutrients and energy to grow and produce as expected, their feed must be particularly crafted to fit their needs. Dr. Steve Lerner, Senior Scientific and Business Advisor at Novonesis, breaks down how and why probiotics boost livestock efficiency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to caring for crops, a lot of curveballs are thrown farmers' way. Courtney Schriver, the Key Account Manager of Plant Health at Novonesis, says the problem solving is not throwing the kitchen sink at the field. He breaks down Novonesis's prescriptive approach to solving problems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of the Mid-West Farm Report Ride Along, we head to northern Illinois to visit the Syngenta Seeds Research & Development Innovation Center. The question? How big of a problem is corn rootworm(CRW) for farmers today? What new technology's being developed to address that problem? Pam Jahnke is joined by Syngenta Corn Product Manager, Matt Dolch. Dolch began his career with Syngenta as an intern, and today is proud to be discussing the latest technology coming to corn fields across the Midwest by 2027. Dolch says that CRW is one of the most devastating pests in U.S. corn production. Farmers spend nearly $1 billion per year in control measures and lost yield. That's why Syngenta decided to focus on new innovations to battle the pest.Syngenta is accelerating trait innovation that delivers new differentiation, not incrementalupdates. Their innovation focuses on multi-protein stacks that bring more diversity to CRW control.Syngenta does this by leveraging innovation pipelines and trait development tools to shorten the time from R&D to the farm.Durastak is the flagship example, built to address both current resistance challenges andfuture durability needs. Durastak is the industry’s first three Bt-protein trait stack for corn rootworm control.It provides a new level of durability and efficacy by offering additional protein diversity compared to existing products. Dolch says that Durastak should be available from dealers by the fall of 2026, for planting in the 2027 growing season!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin will be making its debut as host to more than a thousand snowshoe enthusiasts from across the globe when a world champion snowshoe race meets in Calumet County later this month. The World Snowshoe Championships, U.S. Nationals Snowshoe Championships, and Open Championships will be held on Dec. 18-21 at the Ariens Nordic Center in Brillion, and organizers are excited about bringing the competition to a new audience in Wisconsin. “The Ariens Nordic Center truly is a remarkable venue, and we’re so excited to see the U.S. and World Snowshoe Championships come to such a welcoming community,” said Matthew Dougherty, executive director of North Country Sports Council. “Wisconsin and Brillion are opening up their arms to the world, and this event will bring wonderful energy and opportunity to the area while inspiring future generations of athletes.” The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is partnering with The Ariens Sports & Entertainment Foundation Inc. and North Country Sports Council to support the event with a $110,000 Opportunity Attraction Fund grant. The grant program supports high-profile community events aimed at attracting new residents to Wisconsin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soon Santa will be taking to the skies with his eight magical reindeer to deliver presents to all the kids, but what does this care look like out of the season? Jeff Phillips, the owner of Reindeer Games out of Erin, Wisconsin gives a look at why these animals are so unique and what care looks like for them south of the North Pole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 2022 Ukraine has been locked into a war with Russia changing a lot of their daily lives. This includes within their agricultural operations. Mike McNeill the president of Ag Advisory limited, has spent time in Ukraine to help them change their practices so they can continue producing. He gives a look into how the conflict has impacted their ability to farm and what some of the changes to practices are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing trade and tariff disputes are impacting Wisconsin's agricultural sector, with farmers reporting negative economic returns. Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, says the costs associated with tariffs are hitting producers from multiple directions. "It increases the cost of our inputs, it increases the cost of our machinery, and it increases the costs of everything that we do, really," he says, noting that the squeeze on the industry has resulted in margins disappearing entirely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Olson, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and a farmer in northern Polk County, is raising the alarm over a growing trend of local ordinances that stand to hurt the state's agriculture industry. These regulations, often appearing in a patchwork across communities in the western and northwestern portions of the state, are framed as environmental protection but end up blocking farmers from expanding their businesses. "If the cost of expansion is so great that you can't afford to do it or justifiably do it, you're being kept from expanding," Olson explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 was a pretty good year for most county fairs in Wisconsin. Jayme Buttke, executive secretary of the WI Association of Fairs, joins Pam Jahnke for a brief wrap-up. One major project that the state undertook this year was an economic impact study. What does a county fair mean financially to the county and the state? Buttke says they'll be sharing that information with members during their annual meeting in WI Dells come January. The snow has largely moved through the state, and now here comes the cold. Stu Muck says if you need to do outdoor chores or patch up any holes - do it today. The weekend will be sub zero. Just like solar arrays, wind turbines and data centers, the cry of "not in my backyard" can be heard when it comes to farms expanding. Stephanie Hoff talks with a farmer caught in some of those conversations. Brad Olson is not only the president of the WI Farm Bureau Federation, he's also a farmer in Polk County where groups are crafting unique ordinances to put heavy constraints on how agriculture grows - IF it can grow at all. Olson says most of these town and county boards are not prepared for the "loud voices" that want to essentially stifle any agriculture growth in their geography. More milk, more milk, more milk. It's the mantra draining the energy from the dairy complex. Zach Bowers with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to discuss how the industry's approaching the new calendar year with incredible supplies to work through. He says there are some dairy processors that are pivoting to capitalize on the growing protein demand in the U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers have a lot on their minds when it comes to state policy. Jill Welke gets some of the rationale behind their agenda from Trine Spindler, a dairy farmer from Marathon county. She says the development of solar arrays and data centers are some of the new items they wanted monitored and measured by state legislation. They're also continuing to look for improvement and expansion on the Agricultural Road Improvement Program(ARIP). The 511WI website is alive with crazy colors this morning. Stu Muck updates the weather system moving across Wisconsin and where it's having the greatest impact. After this moisture moves through, he says we need to prepare for bone-chilling cold temperatures. Side-by-side comparisons are something the Steffes Group is offering as we end the calendar year. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group talks to Pam Jahnke about some of the data comparison buyers can make online looking at the value of previous sales of certain groups of equipment. Paid for by Steffes Group. Pam Jahnke reports that markets are flat after Tuesday's December World Ag Supply Demand report (WASDE). You can't control the weather or commodity prices but they won't matter if Wisconsin farmers can't find a lender willing to share the risk for operations in 2026. Kiley Allan finds out how the appetite of independent ag lenders in the state is from Rose Oswald Poels, President and CEO of the WI Bankers Association. Allan learns that in the third quarter lending increased by 4.81% quarter over quarter and 5.3% year over year. She says the close relationship lenders have with the state's farmers remains strong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff sits down with Alice in Dairyland Sara Hagenow, the official ambassador for Wisconsin's dairy industry, to talk about the state's proudest tradition: butter. Hagenow explains that Wisconsin butter’s superior richness and flavor come from high-quality cream produced by local farms with lush grasslands and dedicated farmers. Beyond its unbeatable taste for baking and cooking, choosing this local dairy product supports the state's $52.8 billion economy and over 120,000 jobs. Shoppers can guarantee they are buying local by looking for the Proudly Wisconsin Dairy Badge or the 55-xxxx plant code on the packaging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Fresh Produces Association hopes to increase access and consumption of fruits and vegetables through the momentum of MAHA. Molly Van Lieu, Vice President of Nutrition & Health at International Fresh Produce Association, breaks down the market opportunities and the reaction expected by the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global demand for US red meat is strong, according to Joe Schuele. He’s is the Senior Vice President of Communication for the US Meat Export Federation. He gives us insight to the demand for US meat in foreign markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According from the Quarter 3 FDIC numbers, year-over-year lending has increased in all categories, including farm lending. Rose Oswald Poels is the president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. She breaks down what these numbers tell us about the health of Wisconsin banks and why it matters to farmers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Dr. Arden Andersen farmers are at some of the greatest risk to develop illnesses and this is due to a multitude of reasons. Dr. Andersen uses his knowledge of being a physician and agricultural consultant to dive deeper into why our producers that feed the world are at such a high risk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.