MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Dr. Temple Grandin has spent her career observing the habits of animals. Today she visits with Bob Bosold about the supporting structure on animal handling that really worries her. People! Grandin says she's worried about the skill set most graduates bring to the marketplace. With escalating retirements, Grandin says there's no new candidates in the pipeline to fill these voids. Smoke's still around but temperatures are moderating. Stu Muck says we get back to "normal" temperatures this week with a little rain added in. July is National Ice Cream month and Wisconsin will not be left out of the celebration. Kiley Allan catches up with Carolyn Alsteen, who represents district 2 on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors and farms in Coleman. She highlights some of the ice cream production consumers may not realize originates in Wisconsin. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Fairs continue around Wisconsin this week. While you visit, keep your eyes open for informational plaquards that may be present. It's part of a public education mission the WI Fair Association is on. Pam Jahnke reviews with Jayme Butke, executive secretary of the WI Fair Association. She says the financial footprint fairs have on the state is incredible. Now they want to find out about the intrinsic value of fairs on communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While June is National Dairy Month, July is just as sweet. National Ice Cream Month brings us a great opportunity to celebrate the people and the cows who make the sweet treat possible. We're catching up with just one of those people today. Carolyn Alsteen is a dairy farmer who represents District 2 on Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board of Directors. She farms in Coleman, Wisconsin. She tells us how she's celebrating National Ice Cream Month. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week shows how important animal handling is. With the weather element included, paying attention to what an animal sees in its surrounding is critical. Bob Bosold talks with one of the industry leaders in that field. Dr. Temple Grandin. Grandin explains her focus when it comes to animal handling systems, and some of the simple things that can often be overlooked by farmers. Temperatures may be a few degrees cooler today, but you won't notice much of a change with the smoke. Stu Muck steers us through what the weekend has in store for with weather. Beginning on Tuesday, Wisconsin is implementing some new restrictions on animals coming into the state from areas affected by New World Screwworm. Teri Barr listens to what WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, has to say about the plan. Dairy farmer Mitch Breunig is one of those that's been spending long hours trying to keep his cows comfortable. Breunig owns/operates Mystic Valley Dairy in Roxbury. He tells Pam Jahnke that every piece of technology from high capacity fans to sprinkler systems has been key. He even has deployed "fitbits" for cows to monitor their respiration and feed intake. As the 2026 WI Farm Technology Days show drew to a close in Stratford, questions were already popping up on where the show will be in 2027. Pam Jahnke talks with Janet Keller, show general manager, about that point and others. Keller says they've got plenty of farms interested in hosting future shows, and she says the restructure they implemented three years ago is helping.edSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin is tightening import requirements for livestock and other warm-blooded animals entering the state in an effort to keep the destructive New World screwworm (NWS) from reaching farms and rural communities. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced a temporary order which adds new health requirements for animals coming from states with active NWS-infested zones. The order takes effect on Tuesday, July 21, and will remain in place until it is lifted by the Wisconsin state veterinarian. Teri Barr explains some details with Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Randy Romanski.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state's 79th Alice in Dairyland is on the job! Meet Anastasia Poull. This native of Port Washington is excited to help educate consumers about all Wisconsin agriculture has to offer. Pam Jahnke gets an update on "National Ice Cream Month" from Poull, and why it matters to many of the state's ice cream shops and manufacturers! Hot, sticky weather continues again today - coupled with noticeable smoke drifting in from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota. Stu Muck explains what's happening and how long we can expect this combination in the state. Mel Pittman has been a long time supporter of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Today the retired dairy farmer from Plum City, WI is finding a new agriculture interest raising beef cattle. Still, he's maintained an active presence on the WFTD Executive Board for over a decade. Pittman talks with Pam Jahnke about the changes he's seen in the show, attendees, and the featured equipment. Yes, he admits the show's facing some challenges, but he believes the combination of curious farmers and cutting edge technology still works. You've seen the headlines. The U.S. is experiencing the smallest beef heard in over a half a century. That small cattle herd also impacts available funds for the WI Beef Council. Tammy Vaassen, executive director of WBC is already making plans for precision use of available dollars for 2027. That involves partnering with the Cattlemen's Beef Board and their contracting partners to make dollars go further. She explains. Plus, they're visiting with folks at WI Farm Technology Days as well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winter wheat harvest has begun around Wisconsin and it looks like the crop's pretty good. That's the quick analysis from Anastasia Kurth, Regional Crops & Soils Educator at UW-Madison Extension. She says Wisconsin corn and soybeans are generally in good-to-excellent condition. Unlike last year, growing degree days are slightly ahead of schedule, allowing crops to benefit well from the current heat and humidity. Farmers have recently applied side-dress nitrogen for a mid-season crop boost. While southern rust has not been reported, growers are urged to scout for tar spot, which has already been confirmed in five neighboring states to the south and west. Soybeans are hitting their five-year average for blooming. Farmers are reminded to closely check herbicide labels, as the flowering (R1) stage dictates whether certain post-emergence herbicides can still be legally applied. This hot weather may not be ideal for people, pets or livestock but it has suppressed the risk of white mold in soybeans (which prefers cool, wet conditions), but farmers should watch for emerging Japanese beetles and monitor Western bean cutworm trap data. Smoke is back in the forecast for all of Wisconsin to varying degrees. Stu Muck explains the drift today. He also sees rain developing as soon as tonight. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days concludes today in Stratford. The show simply could not happen without volunteers. Kiley Allan visits with one of them. Maria Meyer is a volunteer along with her son. It's a tradition that started the last time the show was in the area and her uncle asked her to help. She explains that the volunteers receive compensation that goes directly to their charitable organization. In Maria's case it's the Loyal EMS Dept. Her son is volunteering to benefit his football team. It's not just Wisconsin or the U.S. that's experiencing this heat. Europe is as well. Mike North, principal with EverAg out of Platteville, explains the milk loss we've already seen and how it's impacting the cheese market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marathon County is working hard to save energy. In 2025, more than 100 local businesses,manufacturers, schools, hospitals, and farms improved the efficiency of their facilities with supportfrom Focus on Energy.Farming has played a major role in this achievement. Last year, 62 farms in Marathon Countycompleted more than 180 energy-saving projects, resulting in $325,000 in total savings. Theseupgrades help family farms lower costs and stay strong for the future. No Joke Dairy is a fifth-generation family farm in Marathon County that has belonged to the Redetzke family since 1911. Otto and Ottelia Redetzke built the original barn, and the farm has remained in the family for over a hundred years. Although the family stopped milking cows in 2011, brothers Matt and Sam Redetzke chose to start the dairy again in 2015. They restored the herd and brought the farm back to life. Now, four generations work side by side, making it a family-run farm. The farm cares for 400 cattle in total, including young animals, and has a milking herd of around 200 Jersey cows. The Redetzke family also grows crops on 660 acres to feed their animals, keeping the farm self-sufficient. Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy advisor visits with Pam Jahnke and FTD host, Matt Redetzke, about their investments. Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Focus on EnergyNo Joke Dairy has implemented a series of energy-saving improvements in partnership with Focuson Energy:• Livestock Waterers (Installed in 2022 and 2023)• LED Exterior Lighting (2023)• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Vacuum Pump (2019)• High-Bay LED Fixtures (2019)• Annual Energy Savings: 68,710 kWh• Annual Cost Savings: $8,671*• Environmental impact: Reduces 108,836 pounds of CO₂ each year. This is equal to taking 12gas-powered cars off the road or powering 10 homes for a full year*Savings are estimated using average statewide rates and may vary by site.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer may mean a break from school room activities, but it's also a break from reliable meals for many Wisconsin kids. Hunger Task Force, headquartered in Milwaukee, works vigorously to try and make sure it's ready for the spike up in demand when those families need help. Jonathan Hansen, chief strategy officer at Hunger Task Force, says they will be using a portion of a $2.5 million grant to help offset demands. Hansen tells Pam Jahnke that the funding — part of a $10 million investment in Wisconsin’s 2025-27 state budget created by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin State Legislature — connects local nonprofit food assistance programs with local producers to keep pantry shelves stocked with nutritious and locally produced food. Hansen notes that through Connecting Farms to Families, Hunger Task Force will use 100% of grant funds to support hunger relief programs across Wisconsin — uniquely providing all food absolutely free of charge — including food pantries, meal programs, nonprofit organizations, Tribal Nations and members of the Hunger Relief Federation of Wisconsin. All food purchased with the funding will come from small and mid-sized Wisconsin farmers and producers. This ensures producers have a reliable market for their crops and people across the state have consistent access to healthy food.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Welke joins us from Eau Claire to talk about the FRESH area being offered by the Marshfield Clinic.Stu Muck says warm weather is going to continue.Pam Jahnke gets the scoop from Ashely Huhn. Their team will be at Farm Technology Days. She learns where we can find them! Paid for by Steffes.Michelle Paul is the Equine Chair of this year’s event. She’s lined up an agenda that features a lot of horsepower! Their new trainer even and Belgian hitches are sure to amaze spectators.John Heinberg, Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing talks the impact of heat, volatile wheat prices and the latest impact of the Iran/US war on the marketplace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year's Farm Technology Days is featuring all the horsepower. While some of the most impressive machinery Wisconsin has to offer will be on display, so will the original form of horsepower. Michelle Paul is the Equine Chair for this year's event. She walks through everything the Equine exhibits have to offer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making our way through the month of July in Wisconsin also means that we're starting to get harvesting on that winter wheat crop. Dr. Shawn Conley sat down with me. He's the state Soybean and Small Grain Specialist for UW-Madison. He told me where we're at with this year's crop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology is always bringing something new to production agriculture. Drones are a great example. This technology continues to be refined and innovated into multiple tasks on today's farm. Bob Bosold visits with Jeremy Jones from American Drone in Marshfield. He explains how new tools are always being added to what these machines can do. Dangerous heat this week across Wisconsin. Stu Muck says unlike other fronts, this one will stay dry and miserable for man and beast. It's board meeting time for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Janet Clark, board chair and dairy farmer from Eldorado says that it's good when the board can pause and take a look back at what's been accomplished. Some of the highlights that Clark points to are all the personal interactions during June Dairy Month activities, and the success they've found with trade missions. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Miss Wisconsin USA is using agriculture as her platform for interaction with the public. Olivia Lulich is an agriculture instructor in Viroqua and the current Miss Wisconsin USA. Through her appearances and social media, she's keeping the conversations going. A new tool's available to try and help the state's dairy operators manage the heat this week. Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager with WISCONET, the state's weather network, says the "Cow Comfort Index" should help. It takes several weather elements together to give farmers a "real feel" of what the animal is experiencing. It's customized by geography and available on the wisconet.wisc.edu website free of charge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one in Wisconsin enjoys the heat and humidity that seem to be circling back. Now, Wisconsin dairy operators have a new tool to help them establish the "real feel" of that weather on cattle. Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet, says the state now has 79 weather stations dotting the state. Each generates real-time weather data that can give guidance on animal handling and care. Wisconsin is following models from other states and global systems, but uniquely creating tools specifically for the state. The "Cattle Comfort" tool available on the Wisconet website is the result of collaboration with dairy scientists in Wisconsin, and partnerships with dairy operations in Brillion, Darlington, De Pere, Durand, Marshfield, Montana, Rice Lake, and Wittenberg. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America's Dairyland has had a problem. It's estimated that dairy operations have an estimated 5,000-10,000 year-round immigrant laborers, rather than temporary seasonal visa holders, that help keep cows milked and fed. There's no federal work program that applies to that unique situation. Recently the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced some clarification on H2A governance and how it can be used. It clarified that dairies should qualify for that tool. Sam Moheban, immigration attorney at Ruder Ware law firm in Wausau, says that's good news but shouldn't lull dairies into a false sense of security. Pam Jahnke finds out what he means. Over 2 inches of rain reported in places like Belgium, Valders and the Green Bay area yesterday. Stu Muck says that moisture is leaving after today, but heat is right behind it. Muck say we'll easily be back in the 90's by the weekend. Over 700 youth from 44 states and Canada, plus around 2,000 head of cattle are making the Junior National Hereford Show a success in Madison. A mom and Hereford enthusiast from Lancast, WI, is keeping things rolling. Kiley Allan talks with Jaclyn Bevans, board member of National Hereford Women, about the benefits exhibitors see beyond the ribbons and trophy's. Bevans puts the accents on the family time spent preparing animals, and the skills youth participants are picking up in the 1400 skill based contests they've held this week too. HoHum. That sums up the dairy market story lately. Why won't if budge? Ryan Yonkman, vice president of EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk it through. Yonkman says consumer demand is flat at best. Pizza sales have continued to slip, and the European Union is giving the U.S. plenty of price competition. The good news is that U.S. dairy product continues to move in the export space, but will it continue. Yonkman says a lot will depend on how the "holiday" buying season ramps up in the next few weeks. He notes that schools will be starting to come back online in August, and the Labor Day holiday can be an indication of early holiday demand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharing the great story of Wisconsin's beef industry can go in many different directions for many different audiences. Dollars, however, are limited. That's one of the challenges facing Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council. Vaassen, along with other state staff leaders, will be at the Summer Business Conference of the Cattlemen's Beef Board learning about projects that might fit with Wisconsin's direction. Presenters will be from several different partners that contract with the Cattlemen's Beef Board. Each with a particular area of expertise. Vaassen explains to her board members and producers the simple fact that there's not as many cattle in the U.S. today as there has been. That directly dictates the operating budget for the Wisconsin Beef Council. By investigating partnerships with other checkoff funded partners, Vaassen can parlay her limited budget into a bigger bang for Wisconsin producers buck. Any ideas that she believes are worth pursuing will be shared with her Wisconsin board members for final decision on funding. In the past, for example, the Wisconsin Beef Council has used these partnerships to create reverse trade missions. Brining foreign buyers to Wisconsin to learn about the unique system of beef production the state offers. Vaassen and the staff at the Wisconsin Beef Council welcome questions or suggestions from producers or industry leaders. The staff will be on hand in the Beef Tent at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days sharing educational materials with passersby. You can also find more at their informative website - beeftips.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The need for affordable housing impacts our rural communities and their economies every day. But there is good news: there's people and programs working to ensure more homes are available. Done so through grants, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago hopes to incentivize the next generation of real estate developers to focus on the rural housing demand. Tashayanna Mixson sat down with me. She's currently one of their emerging rural development fellows, and she's working right here in Wisconsin. While the program itself focuses on both the rental and ownership side of the equation, Tashayanna tells me that she herself is focused on creating opportunities for affordable homeownership, a situation that she describes as a dire need for rural Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's crop progress and condition report put out by the USDA says Wisconsin corn and soybeans are well on their way to a fruitful crop. But what are farmers noticing directly in their fields? I sat down with regional crops and soils educator, Anastasia Kurth. She tells us if the boots on the ground observation aligns up with the report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Field demonstrations have become a staple of successful WI Farm Technology Days events. This year looks to be no exception. Bob Bosold visits with one of the volunteers who has repeatedly been involved with this element of the show. Ron Zygarlicke has served on the field demo committee for more than a decade. This year, he's adding a twist by including Italian ryegrass in the mix. There's already rain moving into western Wisconsin this morning. Stu Muck says that the cold front moving in will bring measurable rain from LaCrosse to Green Bay throughout the day. The rest of the state can expect it later tonight and into Thursday. Anastasia Poull is officially on the job as the 79th Wisconsin Alice in Dairyland. She's got a sweet task this month promoting July at National Ice Cream month. Pam Jahnke is happy to participate! Poull explains her background and passion for agriculture, and why explaining the state's role in ice cream production is a treat! Affordable housing is a conversation plaguing many Wisconsin communities. Finding affordable housing in rural communities is like finding a needle in a haystack - and nobody wants to talk about building more needles for that haystack! Kiley Allan gets the background from Tashayanna Mixson, Emerging Development Fellow (Emerging Rural Development Fellowship). The gap in available rural housing forces residents out of their hometowns and shackles local businesses from recruiting and retaining employees. Sponsored by grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, the rural development fellowship trains the next generation of developers to tackle rural housing shortages with custom, community-tailored projects rather than massive, urban-style apartment complexes. To achieve affordable homeownership, she advocates for the Community Land Trust model—a system gaining traction in Wisconsin that operates similarly to a condo model and helps secure long-term, attainable housing. Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Wisconsin's Office of Rural Prosperity projects that the state will require between 140,000 and 227,000 additional housing units by the year 2030.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every soybean grower knows about low market prices. If you're a farmer sitting on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, those challenges turn into difficult decisions about where to invest checkoff dollars for the future. Pam Jahnke sits down with WI Soybean Marketing Board Vice President, Matt Wagenson. Wagenson farms near Bear Creek, managing just over 1,000 crop acres plus a beef operation. Now in his 12th year serving as a board member for Wisconsin soybean growers, Wagenson says he's got a more complete picture on how checkoff invested dollars are repaying growers today. It takes time, and that's one thing he stresses when talking with other growers. "The most exciting things I've seen in the past two years for us, other than research, is what Delong's doing in Milwaukee," Wagenson says. "Getting the Great Lakes going. Start cranking stuff out of the Great Lakes out of the St. Lawrence Seaway." Wagenson says Wisconsin soybeans can now get to Africa and the EU faster than almost any state. That's one of the stories he shares when growers ask about where their investments are going. Wagenson says while the WI Soybean Marketing Board cannot invest in physical structures, they can support generating information that helps companies and businesses make decisions about those investment. Find out more about how your soybean checkoff dollars are being spent in Wisconsin!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janet Clark is a busy dairy woman at Vision Aire Farm LLC. Clark juggles her active on-farm schedule with her duties as the chair of the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin farmer board. Now that the dust has settled from amazing June Dairy Month acitivites, Clark shares some of the milestones DFW's attained that many dairies may have missed. Clark visits with Pam Jahnke about some of the campaigns DFW spearheads that dairy farmers might miss. Those efforts include the direct connection DFW is facilitating in "meeting" customers where they're at. Clark explains that they know sharing the story of Wisconsin dairy coupled with sampling product, leads to success. This year, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin has already engaged more than 200,000 consumers through community events and farm experiences. After attending these events, 97% said they intend to return, and 98% said they're more likely to purchase Wisconsin cheese. Those personal connections help build trust and confidence in how Wisconsin dairy farmers care for their animals, land, and communities. It doesn't end there. Clark says they recognize the need to start growing their next generation of customers. That begins with the "Adopt A Cow" educational opportunity. This is a personal favorite of Clark's. It allows Wisconsin dairy farmers to bring school children into the barn virtually! Again, so far this year, DFW has helped reached more than 55,000 students through programs like Adopt a Cow, connected with over 2,000 FFA students, and provided dairy education resources to 3,000 teachers. Clark believes that when young people understand where their food comes from, they become more informed consumers and future advocates for agriculture. These are just a few examples that make Clark proud to represent Wisconsin dairy operations on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board. These are just a few examples. She encourages farmers and interested foodies to investigate more at wisconsindairy.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are some amazing ideas in food processing happening in Wisconsin, but some need a little financial support to get started. Pam Jahnke finds out about a recent project with Westby Coop Creamery and the USDA Rural Development Agency. Andrew Iverson is the state director for USDA Rural Development Agency. He explains their overarching duties in working with businesses and organizations on building infrastructure. Iverson describes the challenges being faced by Westby Coop Creamery. It's the only cottage cheese producer in the state and demand for their product has outstripped capacity. USDA Rural Development stepped in with at $15.5 million loan guarantee to help get that project underway. A calm Tuesday on the way weatherwise for Wisconsin. STu Muck say temps will still move to the upper 80's, and it will feel warm with little breeze today. There is a developing chance of storms moving in by Wednesday evening. July is an excellent time for preplanning your auction. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke to talk about the process his staff is currently going through with a lot of operators looking at auctions later this year. Huhn says once that contract is signed, they start promoting the auction and items offered immediately. Paid for by Steffes Group. Soybeans led the way up on Monday after rumors of a sale to China inspired traders. So far, the gains have been maintained. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to explain what we know so far on the rumor. He also focuses on areas that are starting to see stress in this weeks crop progress report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days may be held on a dairy, but that doesn't stop them from remembering their other bovine friends. Dennis Breneman joins us. He's the chairman of the Beef Tent and a member of the State Executive Committee. His passion for beef starts with his own operation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There will be an emphasis on safety in demonstrations at WI Farm Technology Days this year. Jill Welke visits with retired fire chief, Jerry Minor, about the message he wants to convey to attendees. Minor says today's responders lack the farming/agriculture knowledge that responders had 40 years ago when he began as a firefighter. Minor says helping farms communicate directly with their local fire and rescue team members is incredibly important. He shares some insights into some of the tools today's responders have access to that can improve their safety when responding to farm/ag related calls. Minor says a farm's cooperation by providing information before an event is key. More wet weather will crowd our 4th of July outdoor plans according to Stu Muck. The rain that moved through overnight also brought some minor hail. Muck says that probably won't repeat this weekend. They may not be on the guest list, but you know they'll show up. Mosquitos. Kiley Allan finds out how Wisconsin's dry May impacted early mosquito development from PJ Leisch, UW-Extension Entomologist. Leisch says Wisconsin is home to about 55 different varieties of mosquitoes, so one is always finding weather it can handle. He says the biggest risk humans have for disease transfer from mosquitoes is West Nile Virus. Dairy country is dealing with the heat in different ways. Matt Tranel, senior dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, tells Pam Jahnke that California is still relatively mild. That's keeping its milk production moving along. Meanwhile, in the EU, people and dairies are struggling against a wave of heat. Tranel points out that many EU farms aren't equipped to handle bouts of heat. He also brings an update on a dryer plant fire at a processor in Arizona. Industry leaders are watching how and where that milk is temporarily relocated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multiple generations are getting ready to welcome visitors for the 2026 WI Farm Technology Days event. Redetzke's No Joke Dairy outside of Stratford has a story to share about family working together and making a farm work. Bob Bosold visits with family members Sam Redetzke and brother Matt on how they juggle schedules with off farm duties to keep the wheels rolling. The state's largest outdoor agriculture event is coming up July 14-16. Heat returns to Wisconsin. Stu Muck says we won't likely reach the 90's but it will be warmer. Things should stay dry until at least Thursday according to the forecast. Today's investment in agriculture aren't just about technology and engineering. Farms and farmers depend on people for good advice and service on the technology that they're investing in. Our example today is Lake Effect Farm in the Plymouth area. Brad Laack, the owner/operator of the farm, has placed a lot of trust in Tim Schultz, owner and operator of Schultz's Interstate Ag in Monroe. Schultz's provides state-of-the-art grain handling technology across the Midwest, including Lake Effect Farm. Schultz visits with Pam Jahnke about the clear communication that's necessary on projects like this to make sure that a farmers dreamed are realized and maintained. Paid for by Schultz's Interstate Ag. Soybeans are rallying on a Monday morning! An unconfirmed sale of over 500,000 metric ton of soybeans going to an undisclosed destination is inspiring traders. Pam Jahnke also updates the conversations between the U.S. and Canada on renewing USMCA. Agriculture technology isn't just limited to agriculture. Kiley Allan finds out about the multi-use options for drones. Davis Napier, Owner and Operator at Seek, says he uses drones equipped with high-resolution thermal cameras and spotlights to locate downed deer for hunters who have lost the trail, want to avoid trespassing on neighboring land, or wish to minimize property disturbance. To stay within Wisconsin DNR regulations and avoid hunting with a drone, he requires clients to sign waivers and will only disclose a deer's location if the thermal imaging confirms the animal has already expired. Beyond recovery, the drone captures and stitches together thousands of images to create property maps that are significantly more detailed than satellite imagery, allowing landowners to see specific deer trails and terrain features. During the off-season, the technology is used for herd analysis to help landowners understand deer bedding patterns and population health (buck-to-doe ratios) without disrupting the animals during hunting season. Napier founded his business, Seeker, based on his lifelong passion for hunting and his childhood experience of the heartbreak associated with failing to recover a deer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America's 250th birthday calls for a big celebration, and that's exactly what the Great American State Fair is. It's an opportunity for each state to showcase what makes them unique and special. Joey Hoey joins us, he's the assistant deputy secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He was in charge of putting together a display that shows off the best of what Wisconsin has to offer. Joey tells us about the road to the Great American State Fair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If mosquitoes could talk, I have a feeling they would say the 4th of July is their favorite holiday. From fireworks shows to lake days and barbecues, the influx of people outside basically means we're bringing an all-you-can-eat buffet straight to the doorstep of the homes of mosquitoes. PJ Liesch joins us; he's an Extension Entomologist who keeps an eye on the populations of mosquitoes in Wisconsin throughout the summer. He tells us what he's seen so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin beef producers joined a nationwide effort among State Beef Councils to amplify the beef industry’s summer grilling campaign. Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Coordinator for the Wisconsin Beef Council explains the campaign with Pam Jahnke. The Wisconsin Beef Council invited women with various stills and areas of influence to learn more about grilling beef. It was worth their time, thanks to generous support from Pit Boss for the event – which not only included the use of their smokers but also the expertise of Pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen. Whippen lead the course as a 25 year champion BBQ pitmaster and member of the 2022 BBQ hall of fame. Whippen shared tips and demonstrated how to cook Tri-Tips, Brisket, and burgerbasics. These influencers can then take this knowledge back to their audiences and increase confidence at the grill or smoker. It was very well received. While giving hands-on skills to those grillers, the WI Beef Council also reached out through virtual experiences. Kessler says WBC's partnership with the Wisconsin Agriculture in theClassroom, Alice in Dairyland and Poppy Family Farms targeted elementary classrooms across the state with a virtual tour of a beef farm. Hosted by Wisconsin’s 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, alongside farmerRebecca Poppy of Poppy Family Farms in Omro, the tour introduced students tocattle, animal care practices and the role beef farmers play in producing a safe,nutritious food supply. Preliminary participation estimates show approximately 35 classrooms and more than 600 students joined the live event. The recorded tour will be made available on BeefTips.com and wisagclassroom.org, allowing educators to access the content throughout theschool year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janet Keller is the general manager of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. She tells Kiley Allan the details you need to know before you go to this year's event. We'll see you on July 14-16 at No Joke Dairy in Stratford!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 60 years in teaching and broadcasting on the WI Public Radio Station Network, Larry Meiller is retiring. Bob Bosold (who was a student of Larry's) chats with Meiller about how he started in broadcasting, and how things have changed. One highlight is the amazingly popula call-in show that Meiller hosted. Calls from across the state on people's pets! Hot and humid. That sums up the forecast for this week according to Stu Muck. Heat indexes will reach the dangerous category for people and animals. School may be adjourned for the summer but the learning continues at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Kiley Allan tells us about a recent donation of land that will be used for hands on education in environmental sciences. Paul Groell, Department Chair Natural Resources Program, explains what their priorities are for the 160 acres. Tomorrow is USDA's first estimate of planted acres in 2026. One analyst thinks there were fewer corn acres planted then the government expected. Josh McClure, head of brokerage and consulting at the Farmer’s Business Network, San Francisco, California says they expect 1.2 million fewer corn acres planted. He also notes that soybean acreage didn't pick up those extra corn acres. Even with the heat and humidity - fairs must go on. This week the Stoughton Jr. Fair in Stoughton gets things rolling on Tuesday. Pam Jahnke gives a brief itinerary update on where folks might want to go for those stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, joins Pam Jahnke in the studio to present a 5 year update on how the WI Ag Export Council's been performing and what progress has been made. Romanski says Wisconsin's dairy exports grew 35% from 2021 to 2025 (the timeframe the program's been in place). He also notes that the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports program generated a 200-to-1 return on investment for Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association members in the most recent reporting year. It all bodes well, hopefully, for the continuation of the programs. Beautiful weekend on the way for the final gasp of June dairy events. Stu Muck will be a part of those and paints a pretty decent forecast through the weekend. He's also got cautionary advice to prepare for heat and humidity beginning on Monday. From a dream to reality. Meet Brad Laack from rural Plymouth, WI. He grew up a little removed from agriculture, but found his passion helping to raise beef animals that were designed to make hay disappear. Once Laack got involved in that, the dream of building his own farming operation started to hatch. Today, Pam Jahnke visits with Brad at his cash grain and custom operator business just outside of Plymouth. Over the last year, Brad has taken the next step to elevate his grain handling abilities with the partnership of Schultz's Interstate Ag in Monroe. Laack says the time they've taken to work through specific details that he was concerned about have solidified this partnership. Today, Laack and Schultz's Interstate Ag are getting ready for the next phase of grain handling equipment and bins to be installed. Paid for by Schultz's Interstate Ag. This week Wisconsin dairy operator's got a little good news in the way of a memorandum from the White House. Pam Jahnke visits with Sam Moheban, immigration specialist with Ruder Ware law firm in Wausau. The memorandum made clear that dairies that relay of foreign labor to keep things rolling should be sure they're following all the rules and guidelines within the H2A program. Moheban says while it's not a silver bullet, it does make clear the direction the administration wants agencies to follow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The temperatures are warming up ahead of the Independence Day holiday, and so are the grills. But do you know how much to expect your Fourth of July cookout to cost? The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, as well as the American Farm Bureau Federation, have released their Marketbasket Survey. It's an informal survey performed twice a year by volunteer shoppers. They participate by shopping for 12 different food items that are commonly used in both the Fourth of July cookout and the Thanksgiving holiday. This helps the organizations gauge the food prices across the state and across the country. Cassie Sonnentag, the Director of Public Relations with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, says prices were up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you love grilling in the summer, you're not alone. In fact, it's a trend so consistent that the prices in the summer meat market typically reflect more and more people going outside and choosing to grill. Jeff Swenson along with us, he's DATCP's livestock and meat specialist. He starts by giving us a 30,000-foot view of what the marketplace is doing right now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're seeing farms nationwide as well as here at home in Wisconsin struggling with a labor shortage. UW-Madison's agricultural safety and health specialist John Shutske says that's largely attributed to the low unemployment rate. He says that in order for farms to keep their labor, they must keep their operations attractive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Farm Bill's to international market access, the National Association of State Departments of Ag encompasses it all. Pam Jahnke talks with CEO, Ted McKinney, about how they navigate a diverse member population (Democrats and Republicans) while still doing the most for production agriculture and agribusiness in their individual states. He says their priority now is to get a finished Farm Bill. Wow - wet, wild weather in Wisconsin overnight. Stu Muck runs down rainfall totals, along with contributions from the Mid-West Farm Report Talk/Text line. Green Bay ended up with streets flooded. Other areas saw minor hail. It's all gone now, though with pleasant weather ahead. This year's 4th of July picnic is going to cost as much as it ever has according to the WI Farm Bureau Federation's Market Basket Survey. Feeding 10 will cost over $75 in total. Beef is the big leader on price increases, up over 23% compared to a year ago. Explaining that high price on beef is exactly what they'll be focused on in the Beef Tent and WI Farm Technology Days. The state's largest outdoor farm show will happen at Redetzkes’ No Joke Dairy in Marathon County. Although it's a dairy operation - the beef tent will at the show will help attendees understand what's happening with beef production in the state and beyond. Kiley Allan visits with Dennis Breneman, Chairman of the Beef Tent and a member of the State Executive Committee @ Farm Technology Days. He's managing his herd of Scottish Highland cattle and happy for the opportunity to educate consumers. Another 2% increase in milk production announced for the month of May. Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EverAg says that's what the market has come to expect. She notes that the U.S. cheese price remains competitive globally, and we'll need the international sales to stay robust. She also notes that major dairy processing facilities are finding a way to pay the bills by offsetting lower cheese prices with the high value whey the process produces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protein continues to have a moment in the marketplace, and it's not a short-term fad. Consumers continue to reach for snacks that are not only high in protein but are also made with whole ingredients. Abbi (Prins) Groves joins Kiley Allan behind the microphone. She's a Livestock Economist at CoBank. She sat down to tell me about a new report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange that says meat snacks represent a major area for product innovation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mushrooms! It's another crop from Wisconsin. Bob Bosold learns a little more about mushroom production, the varieties that are popular and how they grow! Steve Scholtz, a mushroom grower in Eau Claire explains how he produces his crop indoors to avoid contamination. He's finding a vibrant market for his product in many different areas. Rain is drifting into Wisconsin and will stay for most of the day. Stu Muck says as we move through Wednesday, we'll move closer to dry weather and sunshine. The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee released its text of the Farm Bill on Tuesday. One group that's paying close attention is the NASDA - Nat'l Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Ted McKinney's their CEO. He tells Pam Jahnke that agriculture has been a bipartisan gathering spot in Washington, D.C. He says while many elements of the Farm Bill were dealt with in the Big Beautiful Bill, the policy side has gone unattended. That's what McKinney says is needed now. Farm bankruptcies look just as robust this year as last, which is not good news. Austin Peiffer, an attorney with Ag and Business Legal Strategies in Hiawatha, Iowa, is tracking the numbers. He says in the first quarter of 2026, there were approximately 158 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings. He says the tough part is that many of those farms filed early, and may have received more bad financial news when they started planting, impacted by high fuel prices and escalated fertilizer costs. The NASDA is holding its summer meeting in Madison, which wraps up today. While each state faces unique challenges, data centers seem to be a common denominator. Brian Baldrige is the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. He says they've got about 200 data centers in the state now, and they hope tools like farmland preservation help buffer where future centers are located.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's National Lightning Awareness Week and Wisconsin farmers, golfers, gardeners, joggers should all heed the warnings. In Wisconsin, more people have died by lightning strikes since 2006, than by tornadoes since 1986. Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager, Wisconet and Lightning Data Specialist, National Lightning Safety Counci, explains how people can protect themselves, and farmers can protect their livestock and assets. Rain starts moving back in by late Tuesday night. Stu Muck says it won't really amount to much but sets up a change in pattern that will bring very hot weather to the state by the weekend. A record breaking price on a tractor has gotten a lot of attention for the Steffes Auction Group. Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that live auctions are still drawing a crowd with money to spend. He explains the record sale. Paid for by Steffes Group. While Wisconsin communities continue to struggle with the data center question, Texas is now regretting some of their decisions. Sid Miller, Texas Ag Commissioner, says he hears about it every day. To date, Texas is home to about 575 data centers that consume about 430 million gallons of water daily. Miller contends they're overbuilt and using water resources most of Texas just doesn't have. Wisconsin crops are matching up about equal with other Midwest states as far as development. John Heinberg joins Pam Jahnke to discuss. Heinberg, with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, says that there's really no weather threat to get the market to move. At the same time, South America's harvest is moving along smoothly bringing more product to the marketplace. While the crop may be moving, Heinberg also explains the financial strain that South American farmers are facing as bankruptcies there increase.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At this year's Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, held at Redetzkes' No-Joke Dairy in Stratford, Wisconsin, they're serious about farm safety. Melissa Ploeckelman-Brown joins us. She's the Outreach Specialist for the National Farm Medicine Center. They're bringing the "FRESH Area" to Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. FRESH stands for Farm Rescue, Education, Safety, and Health. She tells us what we can expect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Wisconsin's 97th FFA Convention, 4 Stars Over Wisconsin were named. This honor comes from an evaluation of student's SAE. The winners are: Agribusiness: Oscar Stowell Waupun FFA; Agriscience: Owen Hemling, Beaver Dam FFA; Agricultural Placement: Katelyn Wunder, Waterford FFA; Farmer: Liv Lucas, Greenwood FFA Kiley Allan sat down with Owen Hemling moments after the acheivement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We start our morning with Jill Welke in Eau Claire! She catches up with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's Brad Olson about roundtable conversations that could shape agricultural policy. Stu says we may have to dodge a little rain for Father's Day, but otherwise looking to be a sunny weekend! Traditionally, Father's Day means family outings and bbqs. A recent report from CoBank says the grill isn't the only place people are choosing protein. Abbi (Prins) Groves is a Livestock Economist who says that meat snacks are rising in popularity. She predicts whether it's a short-term fad or a long-term trend. Sarah Hagenow stops in with a quick recipe that pairs June Dairy Month and Father's Day nicely. Hands-on learning doesn't stop after school. There are many career education opportunities that benefit from acting out scenarios. Brad Zellner from the Luxemburg Fire Department says old farm houses being prepared for demolition make great training opportunities for local crews. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunger Task Force, based in Milwaukee, received a $2.5 million grant from the WI Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection to connect Wisconsin farms with individuals who need a little extra assistance putting food on their plates. Pam Jahnke helps people understand the scope of work being done through the grant with Jonathan Hansen, chief strategy officer at Hunger Task Force. He explains the 180 different locations they help coordinate statewide. Hansen says they're also accumulating names and contact information for Wisconsin farms looking to partner with the Hunger Task Force. Hansen estimates that the network serves approximately 180,000 people every month. Showers should've moved through Wisconsin for now. Stu Muck recaps some of the rainfall amounts over the past 24 hours. He says temperatures will stay mild into the weekend when another chance of rain redevelops. It was an evening of honors for students, teachers, and adult leaders at the 97th Wisconsin State FFA Convention. Kiley Allan was there. Four amazing high school students were named as the "Stars Over Wisconsin" elite. They will represent the state at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis later this year. Allan congratulates the following Stars: Star in Agribusiness: Oscar Stowell, Waupun FFA; Star in Agriscience: Owen Hemling, Beaver Dam FFA; Star in Agricultural Placement: Katelyn Wunder, Waterford FFA and Star Farmer: Liv Lucas, Greenwood FFA. Hemling explains how his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) has led him to a collegiate career he hopes to pursue at MIT. The evening also brought the announcement of the 2026-27 State Officer Team. Pam Jahnke congratulates: Suki Gatica, Amery FFAEli Bell, New Richmond FFAJosie Bailey, Tomah FFAAlyvia Ruegsegger, Black Hawk FFAOwen Moore, Mischicot FFARylee Brattlie, Cambridge FFAOscar Stowell, Waupun FFAJordan Berg, Granton FFANatalie Rieth, Oconto Falls FFAOwen Bronecki, Mayville FFA Meanwhile, Wisconsin dairy operators are watching the nonfat dry milk price waste away. Collin Aardema, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk about that. Aardema says the U.S. is still above the international price on nonfat, so more adjustment is coming. He also updates us on the milk capacity that's been built, and is coming online. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the gift that will keep giving! Fox Valley Technical College just received a generous donation of land that they're already putting to work for students. Kiley Allan gets the story from Paul Groell, Department Chair Natural Resources Program @ Fox Valley Technical College. Fox Valley Technical College received an anonymous donation of a 160-acre plot of land, intended to preserve the habitat from development and serve as an educational tool for the school's two-year Natural Resources program. The property acts as a powerhouse of biodiversity, containing mixed forested areas, prairies, ponds, wetlands, and a navigable stream. This variety allows students to study forestry, soils, water and wildlife all in one location. Students are already utilizing the land as a safe place for practical coursework including chainsaw safety, tree limbing, trail maintenance, and wildlife data collection using camera traps. The program prepares students for versatile technician or wildland firefighting roles, and benefits from close partnerships with four-year institutions to offer an easy transfer path for students looking to continue their education after their associate degree. From hail to measurable rain - that's what Wisconsin saw on Tuesday. There could be more of the same today! Stu Muck shares the outlook on showers and thunderstorms that have already started moving into the state. Yes, Wisconsin FFA continues to grow, but finding teachers to execute the lesson plans connected to those chapters is tough. Pam Jahnke visits with Cheryl Zimmerman, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Association, about current worries going into the next school year. She says they're already aware of 10 teacher retirements that will need to be filled. While Zimmerman acknowledges that tools like experience based licensing have added some staff to schools, it doesn't negate the huge need for agriculture educators. She says they currently have about 28,000 members statewide with 6 newly chartered chapters. Zimmerman also says they're considering opening options to students as young as 5th grade to keep the pipeline full of potential members. From t-shirt designs to empowering women at the grill - the Wisconsin Beef Council is busy. Kaitlyn Kessler, Communications Director for the WI Beef Council takes a minute to recap some of the action so far this spring. She explains how they enlisted top chefs to educate several female influencers about the finer points of using the grill. Well the event was well received, however, she said they also learned that finding the right cuts of meat for the grill was a bit of a challenge for some of the women. Fortunately, the chefs on hand and the resources at beeftips.com helped steer them in the right direction. Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're taking the time, and spending the money to dine out, you want to know what you're getting. Susan Quam, executive vice president of the WI Restaurant Association says information is power - even for restaurant menus. Quam tells Pam Jahnke that today diners are looking for "clean labels" on menus. The "buy local" mantra continues, and restaurants are complying. Quam says heat and spice continue to be popular flavor profiles that attract shoppers, but there's other taste bud tempting options becoming popular in the state too. Comfort foods and value menus are a magnet, and Quam says "smash burger" are showing up with many different options. Rain is back on the way to Wisconsin with some strong winds to boot. Stu Muck says today you might actually feel a chill with winds that could gust up to 35 mph. This cycle of weather continues for about the next 48 hours. I bet you never thought of an auctioneer as a partner in your estate plan. It happens. Ashly Huhn explains to Pam Jahnke how the Steffes Group many times gets involved in Section 1031 exchanges. This helps land owners primarily avoid heavy taxes by finding other properties to invest in. Paid for by Steffes Group. Monday was the "Day of Service" for approximately 700 Wisconsin FFA members in Madison before the 97th State FFA Convention. Amanda Draxler, WI State FFA President, says that the hands on labor of those members, coupled with seeing the finished product gives them a real sense of accomplishment and giving back to their host community. Draxler says there were about 11 different targeted activities within Dane County that mobilized the members. From pulling weeds to building beds, it was an important staple for the convention attendees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World Screw Worm. It's all over agriculture headlines. Could that worm ever make its way into Wisconsin and our livestock/pet population? That's the question poised to P.J. Leisch, UW-Madison Extension Entomologist. Leisch has been watching this worm for a while. He tells Pam Jahnke that this insect has been around since at least the 60's in numbers that threatened livestock. He says experience has taught researchers that trying to spray the insect away just isn't effective. Bio controls like sterile male flies are the most successful way to manage this worm. Leisch says Wisconsin's climate would be the ultimate demise of the worm if it did arrive. It cannot survive below 40 degrees. Very mild temperatures start the week according to Stu Muck. Winds will pick up and there is a chance of rain moving back in by Tuesday evening. We may be a little biased here in Wisconsin, but the best time of year is here. June Dairy Month is upon us. It's an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and honor the farmers, craftsmanship, and exceptional dairy products that make Wisconsin dairy truly special. Today, Kiley Allan catches up with 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Dairy isn't just something we produce here in Wisconsin. In fact, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin say it best: it's something we're born to do. We're Born to Dairy™. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Celebrating 250 years! It's a major milestone that the United States is noting in many different ways. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's communication division is focused on highlighting their own milestones. The Agriculture Department's Radio Service has served the public for one hundred years as of 2026 - almost as old as the medium itself. And over its century, USDA Radio has provided information about farming, ranching, and the Department in a variety of ways and formats. Rod Bain presents the second of a series of programs on USDA Radio over the years in this edition of "Agriculture USA". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's grape growers have been keeping a close eye on the changing weather. Kiley Allan gets an early season forecast from Phillipe Coucard, owner/operator of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac. With 70 acres of vines to manage, his staff mobilizes early to evaluate conditions. He says so far things have been going well. Insect pressure has been low and so has early disease concerns. He already anticipates a smaller crop this year just because of the colder April temperatures the vines were exposed to. He emphasizes that sunlight is the critical factor for grape quality, as it directly drives sugar content, color, and flavor concentration. The optimal growing season for the vineyard consists of early spring rain followed by dry June and July, a single week of rain in August, and a completely dry stretch leading up to harvest. It looks like a nice weekend for developing in Wisconsin. Stu Muck says there will likely be some showers popping up again Saturday afternoon - but then the faucet shuts off and temperatures moderate into next week. Northwest Wisconsin soybean grower, Andy Bensend, is focused on the weather right now. He sits on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and knows that critical research, funded by soybean growers like him, is happening. Bensend explains how the board members prioritize the "buckets" to which checkoff dollars are designated. In-field research is critical. Bensend says Wisconsin's reputation for it's top-notch research team is well known in the upper Midwest and nationally. There's also the investment in new products and helping people understand what these products can do. This is all part of what the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board works on every day. Paid for by the WI Soybean Marketing Board. Grapes aren't the only unique Wisconsin crop watching the weather. Nathan Bula at Spears R Us in Adams has an asparagus crop depending on it. Bula says asparagus appeared earlier than he's ever seen - but then got delayed by April frost/freezes. He waited 11 days without a harvest for the spears to develop. Another big June Dairy celebration weekend is ahead. Dane county will welcome thousands of people to Swaindale Genetics in Deerfield on Saturday. With just 25 milking cows, this farm looks different than previous hosts. Gary Swain and his wife, Dana Kelly, explain why they're hosting and the story they want to share about family and community commitment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We may be a little biased here in Wisconsin, but the best time of year is here. June Dairy Month is upon us. It's an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and honor the farmers, craftsmanship, and exceptional dairy products that make Wisconsin dairy truly special. Today, we catch up with 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Dairy isn't just something we produce here in Wisconsin. In fact, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin say it best: it's something we're born to do. We're Born to Dairy™. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An early start to this year's asparagus season brought a lot of excitement to the patch. But as the season progressed, the weather didn't pay any favors. Nathan Bula joins us, he's the owner of Spears-R-Us. Nathan, tells Kiley Allan about the 2026 asparagus season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we're still relatively early in this year's growing season, Dr. Emily Bick tells us we've already seen the first wave of pests. She's an Extension Specialist of Insects for Field and Forage Crops. Emily, explains what we're seeing right now in the fields. More information and tools: - https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/pest-management/insect-pest-alerts/ for signup for the Pest Text Alert service. - Information on the slugNet: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/slugnet/ and the slugNet dashboard: https://connect.doit.wisc.edu/content/e2188e97-840c-49e1-842c-22a638bafe7a/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hands-on educational opportunities are crucial for students going through their academic career. It can also play a crucial role in career-specific trainings. Luxemburg Fire Department is taking advantage of all hands-on opportunities they can get. Brad Zellner joins us. He's the safety and training officer for the fire department. He tells me about a recent hands-on training opportunity provided by a local farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fair season in Wisconsin brings with it a few changes for livestock exhibitors. Jill Welke chats with Dr. Meg Mueller about her engagement in the dialog. Also, while New World Screw Worm may not make it to the state, Dr. Mueller says it could still deal a financial blow to local producers. Her priorities include sourcing animals from outside the state and making pet owners who might adopt aware of the risks. Wow - severe weather on Wednesday is causing clean-up on Thursday. Stu Muck explains some of the areas of impact, and what's on the radar already this morning. He thinks it's going to be another 'alert day' with severe weather and high winds. Alzheimer's is a disease that does not discriminate. It doesn't matter where you live, or what your financial situation is. It's also random. Dr. Bill Stork, a retired veterinarian in Lake Mills, watched his mother slip away from Alzheimer's. Sunday, he's spearheading "Minds over Mountains" MOMs, in honor of his mother. The event in Lake Mills helps connect people with others handling the disease, researchers investigating it, and fund raising mechanisms to help further research. Stork says he's encouraged by the research progress he's seen in just the past few years. He also reminds people that they can control some of their outcome by thinking about their health today. Pam Jahnke visited with him. All eyes are on nonfat products in the marketplace. Zach Bowers, dairy analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss. That non-fat complex has drawn Wisconsin's Class III prices higher, and is likely moving lower now. Bowers says demand for U.S. dairy remains robust - especially cheese. Keeping an eye on what type of dairy product catches the globes attention will be what drives us next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hot, sticky weather is conducive to insects, and Wisconsin's a perfect example. Kiley Allan gets a quick update on what new arrivals have made Wisconsin home from Dr. Emily Bick. Bick is a UW-Madison Extension Entomologist that tracks everything from armyworm to alfalfa weevil. Both of those insects pop up in this conversation. It's an alert day for much of Wisconsin. Warm, moist air and gusting winds will create some potentially severe weather statewide. Stu Muck focuses in on specific areas of risk. Summer fun is just around the corner now that the kids are exiting school. That fun can still pose safety risks. Chris Schlechta, Safety and Loss Control Officer with Rural Mutual Insurance says those fun outdoor activites need to be approached cautiously. Schlechta says when we're ready to go 4-wheeling, boating or building that campfire, our brains or in the "relaxed" mode. That can expose us, our friends and family to unexpected incidents. Schlechta presents some scenarios that make the point. New World Screw Worm is being found in more animal populations of the south. Could it make it to Wisconsin. PJ Leisch, UW-Madison Extension Entomologist says it's doubtful. Leisch does explain how the worm could still cause disruption for Wisconsin farmers. Keeping the focus on New World Screw Worm. Wisconsin's got a big heart when it comes to displaced pets. That's why many cats and dogs from places like Texas routinely end up in Wisconsin. What do we need to know about those rescue operations and the animals they're moving. Rod Bain with the USDA communications department explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.