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What does a Thanksgiving turkey have to do with "Operation: Karma"?
Did you know Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberries, cheese, ginseng and more?! Plus what are our favorite ice cream shops in the state? We are celebrating all things farming and dairy this week, and are joined by Alice in Dairyland aka Sarah Hagenow! We discuss favorite farm products, and learn why Wisconsin is leading the country in so many wheys…get it?! Happy Dairy Month! The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we're featuring Iowa County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/green-county/ The Cabin is presented by Badger State Brewing; https://badgerstatebrewing.com/ The Cabin is also presented to you by Racine; racinecounty.gov/our-county/visiting As well as Crystal Farms; https://crystalfarmscheese.com/
What does a red lock on your storage unit mean?
Joanna Guza connected with Sarah Hagenow, the 78th Alice in Dairyland about the significance of National Dairy Month, how to celebrate, uniqueness of Wisconsin dairy and how to enjoy it all year long. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It is not necessary to go naked to clean up spills
A helpful guide to having a firearm
Lightning McQueen is STILL on the loose!
How is one candidate for Wisconsin state governor being a 'dumbass'?
What did Lightning McQueen do to make our 'dumbass' report?
There is a reason they put up ROAD CLOSED signs, ya know
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has named Anastasia Poull of Port Washington as Wisconsin's 79th Alice in Dairyland, a role focused on promoting the state's agricultural industry through education, marketing, and public outreach.
How was it that the CEO of 7-Eleven made our crime report?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's just one 'dumbass' story, but it is a crazy story
On Saturday evening in Wausau, Anastasia Poull was introduced as the 79th Alice in Dairyland. Poull holds 3 degrees from South Dakota State University along with 2 minors. She tells Bob Bosold a little bit more about herself, and what she imagines she might focus on as the states next agriculture ambassador. DATCP also announced that Milwaukee County will host the 80th annual Alice in Dairyland Finals, May 13-15, 2027.Windy, wet conditions will greet you on a Monday. Stu Muck says temps will stay above average, but so will the chance of light rain. Not so fast! Although Anastasia Poull may have been introduced as the next Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow still has some work to do. Hagenow explains how grateful she is for the chance to hold the position through June Dairy Month, and has a little advice for any person considering applying for the job next. For many rural citizens, going to the mailbox everyday is part of their routine. Unfortunately, the poor financial performance by the U.S. Postal Service could put that letter service at risk. Ian Lee is an associate professor in Canada that's using their federal mail service as an example of what could come. Lee says the Canada Post is bleeding money, with fee answers on how to keep the service viable beyond next March.In this episode, Portage, Waushara, and Wood County Board Director Stephanie Hughes highlights how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is shaping the next generation through youth and school initiatives. We dive into key partnerships with the FFA and WIAA, including DFW’s role in sponsoring high-level agricultural competitions and being the official beverage of Wisconsin high school sports. Plus, discover the massive impact of the "Adopt a Cow" program, which connects over 55,000 students across rural and urban classrooms with life on the farm. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. Paid for by DFW. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Someone doesn't like the ducks being fed
Dean Edge hails from Rimbey, Alberta, Canada. Edge became only the third Canadian to win the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion contest, which debuted in 1963. Edge made a trip to Thorp, WI to appear at the Premiere Livestock Auction yard. Jill Welke had a chance to find out why this young man decided to pursue this field as his career. “This world championship might be connected to my name for the next year, but it’s not mine,” Edge said. “It’s ours. I’m going to be working for us for the next year to the very best of my ability to get out there and promote what we do.” As the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, he will spend the next year driving the custom-wrapped World Livestock Auctioneer Championship pickup all over the country to showcase his talents and promote the livestock industry. Edge can’t wait. Some storms and strong winds are on the way for the weekend. Stu Muck estimates rainfall amounts and temps for the weekend. Coming from a dairy farm in Watertown, Michelle Stangler has a deep skillset to offer as an Alice in Dairyland candidate. Stangler, a graduate from UW-River Falls, has spent a lot of time traveling the state gathering stories about Wisconsin agriculture. She's also ventured beyond the state to get perspective on what the state has versus other geographies. The Alice in Dairyland finale will be Saturday in Wausau. Greenhouse operators in Wisconsin faced some steep heating bills earlier this year. For Bergmann Greenhouse in Clayton, WI, starting those plants begins in January. This operation, located in Polk County, decided it was prudent to try and invest in equipment upgrades. Focus on Energy became their partner on smart renovations that brought them great rebates, and tremendous energy savings. Evan Croft, Energy Engineer and Technical Reviewer for Focus on Energy, worked with Jeanne and Invanna Bergmann. Bergmann's is a six-generation greenhouse operation that pays close attention to details. Jeanne explains the savings they've witnessed, and the ease they found in dealing with Focus on Energy. Paid for by Focus on Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Spring field activities have been accelerated because of the cool, wet start. Ben Jarboe finds out about insects adding more pressure to the system. Dr. Emily Bick, UW-Entomologist says that alfalfa weevil seem to be a little delayed in their presence this spring. Bick says it's important that farmers don't lose sight on the threat the small insect can bring to an otherwise healthy alfalfa field. It'll be another breezy day around Wisconsin which continues to help with drying field conditions. Stu Muck says milder temperatures may be hard to notice with the breeze. With those drier field conditions, more acres of corn have been planted. Pam Jahnke finds out what worries Cooper Humphries, district sales manager with Wyffels Hybrids. Humphries says his biggest concern is proper field preparation. Humphries notes if sidewalls are compacted around that seed, it will cost yield in the end. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrid. Meet Jessica Moor from Wilson! She's another candidate for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position. Moor has dabbled in several different career areas, including completing a business administration degree at UW-River Falls. She's currently a dental assistant, but ready to take on Alice's duties! Good ideas were swirling on the UW-Madison campus Tuesday during the annual Dairy Innovation Hub's spring summit. Chuck Nicholson, professor of supply chain management at Penn State University and a UW-Madison affiliate in the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences presented on Tuesday. He's completed a survey showing consumers would love a lactose-free ice cream option. Nicholson says reducing lactose in ice cream is a relatively simple process that involves adding a substance to the mix to break lactose down into its two component sugars. A study using a real-life auction revealed that lactose-intolerant consumers significantly value lactose-free ice cream over regular or reduced-lactose options. The study found that a person's specific degree of lactose tolerance is a major predictor of how much they value lactose-free dairy products. Despite the higher value placed on it by certain consumers, both local outlets like the UW Babcock store and national brands like Breyers currently price lactose-free ice cream the same as regular ice cream. Initial rough evaluations suggest that the increased costs of ingredients and labor to produce lactose-free ice cream are lower than the value consumers are willing to pay for it -- a valuable opportunity for ice cream manufacturers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One Fond du Lac report sums the crime up quite nicely
Consumers are continuing to confront high beef prices at the store. Is the industry closer to helping resolve the imbalance? Stephanie Hoff finds out with the help of Jeff Swenson, meat and livestock specialist, DATCP. Swenson says high cattle prices are leading to larger swings in both directions, influenced by fluctuating harvest rates and packer demand. Despite market volatility, farmers currently hold more leverage than packers, as market-ready cattle remain at a premium. Meat packers are currently struggling with profitability, balancing high cattle costs against wholesale beef cutout values. Feed remains the number one expense for cattle feeders, while fuel and pharmaceutical costs (vaccinations) continue to rise for cow-calf producers.High pasture rents and the initial cost of livestock make it difficult for new farmers to enter the beef industry. Many dairy producers are transitioning to eef as an exit strategy or diversifying their operations with "beef-on-dairy" crossbreeding. While dairy-beef crosses are improving in quality, 100% purebred beef animals still command a price premium. The typical 10-year cattle cycle has been elongated due to drought, resulting in a tighter supply than historically expected at this stage. Rain is drifting across the state today, bringing with it some gusty winds. Stu Muck says that temps should stay above average Sales averages on many implements and tractors remains firm. That's the latest update from Ashley Huhn at the Steffes Group. He is also seeing a surge in interest for fall auctions. Paid for by Steffes Group. Meet Gabrielle Huitema from Markesan! This UW-River Falls grad is another finalist for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position. Huitema has focused most of her college and career experience on humane anmial handling in the slaughter process. She wants to make sure the message gets out that many things go right in the animal handling arena. Wisconsin farmers are almost caught up on spring planting pace. Pam Jahnke provides the latest crop progress update. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam Jahnke that most areas of the U.S. are now on par with planting progress. The unfortunate crop right now is wheat. Heinberg also highlights news that the Trump administration intends to allow more beef imports into the U.S. Heinberg says the U.S. is already on a record pace of accepting outside beef, but it's usually much lower quality than what's produced in the U.S. Markets will be watching developments during the meeting of President Trump and China President, Xi JinpingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite challenging weather conditions, Wisconsin potato growers still could take to the fields! While they may be focused on day-to-day planting chores, they can't help but wonder how their market will look by harvest. Ben Jarboe does a deeper dive on the situation with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association. Houlihan says there's been some market disruption on the west coast that could impact Wisconsin prices. One example he uses is potatos used for chips. Most of those potatoes grown in the west would be bound for the international marketplace. However, China has increased the number of chip potatoes they're producing to displace many of those acres. Yes, another frosty start to a May morning. Stu Muck says the chance of frost starts to lessen after today. Rain, however, is also in the forecast by mid-week. The question is how much. Wisconsin does June Dairy Month like no place else. Dan Hintz, dairy farmer from Pickett, WI shares some of the plans for June Dairy Month 2026, courtesy of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Hintz tells Pam Jahnke that it's not just about the food, it's about the interaction and exchange of information that those breakfasts offer. Hintz says he's proud of the diversity of dairy operations that step up to welcome consumers out to their farms. Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. The six finalists applying to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland will make their way to Marathon County later this week. There, they will engage in the final phase of interviews, as well as tour local businesses. Pam Jahnke introduces us to Kelly Herness from Whitehall. Herness grew up a dairy farm and would like to focus her presentation on the services offered through the WI Farm Center. She says her family just recently discovered the depth of resources available there, and she believes other farms could benefit by knowing what's out there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One person did not have a very relaxing smoke break
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Mary Lewandowski works on her family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin. Her great-great-great-grandparents founded the farm more than a hundred years ago. Today, the farm has some fifty cows that must be fed, milked, and kept happy and healthy. Corn and alfalfa need to be planted and harvested for their feed. It’s all a lot of work for Mary, but she loves her cows, and they provide us with milk to drink, cheese and ice cream to eat, and many other delicious dairy treats.Welcome to My Farm is a fun and illuminating look at farm life in the heart of America’s Dairyland. Presenting a day in the life of a small dairy farm, the book shares fascinating facts about dairy cows and the crops that farmers grow. Readers will also meet cuddly kittens and Mary’s two collies, Buffy and Buddy! Kiley Allan visits with the author about what she hopes kids take away from the book. Another morning of frost statewide. Soil temperatures are becoming a worry for farmers that already have seed in the ground. Stu Muck says the sun today should help that situation, but overnight lows will continue to bring frost. Wisconsin’s potato industry is facing market pressure despite planting season being underway. Ben Jarboe talks with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. Global changes are forcing a reassessment of WI potatoes. Houlihan says western U.S. potato exports have declined as countries like China and India increase competition. Key international markets such as Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia are no longer as strong for U.S. potatoes. Much of the western potato supply is used for French fry production, which has been heavily impacted. U.S. processors are cutting supply needs by 30–40%, reducing demand for grower. That trickle down effect is forcing changes in Wisconsin's potato strategy. Consumers will likely benefit from lower potato prices at the store. Kudos to Mary Cooper, middle school teacher from Richland Center. She's been named the 2026 WI Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Plus Bob Hagenow of Deforest is receiving the Guest of Honor award from the National Dairy Shrine this September. Hagenow's been a long time fixture in Wisconsin's dairy industry. Consumer's pocketbooks continue to constrict with escalating energy costs. They're making changes at the grocery store and when they dine out too. Mike North, dairy analyst with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to explain how those buying patterns ripple through dairy pricing. He also notes that milk production is not backing down. The upside of all of this is that dairy plant expansion continues in Wisconsin and across the U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some people just don't want anyone to have any fun
Are the 'water wars' that high school students take part in getting out of hand?
This week we're celebrating all pets and "Pet Week". The UW-School of Veterinary Medicine touts the phrase 'small but mighty' when it comes to their staff size and the research and innovations developed. Star Cameron is the clinical assistant professor in veterinary neurology and neuro surgery. She also recently became the assistant dean for clinical and translational research. Pam Jahnke listens in as she explains the various types of research they undertake to help all animals. Cameron says the entire team is driven by their passion for animals. More ups and downs in the weather this week. 70's today with gusty winds, but back to the mid-50's tomorrow with more rain in the forecast. Stu Muck gives us the rundown. The U.S. House has concluded its work on the 2026 Farm Bill and now it's up to the Senate. Arkansas Senator John Boozeman chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee and says things look different for his committee. Boozeman specifically cites the filibuster they're working with and how quickly votes can move. Boozeman says he's working to build consensus with the help of MN Senator Amy Klobuchar.Maria Woldt has been named the next director of the state funded initiative designed to help America's Dairyland maintain its industry. Woldt will oversee the Dairy Innovation Hub which works with UW-River Falls, UW-Platteville and UW-Madison to integrate staff, research and innovations.The small community of Ashippun in Dodge County is struggling to maintain its farm land. Stephanie Hoff finds out The town of Ashippun in Dodge County has successfully approved starting the process to transition to farmland preservation zoning.about measures it's deploying to try to slow down urban development on valuable farm acreage. Robert Guenter is a dairy farmer and also a member of the Town of Ashippun Planning Commission. The town of Ashippun in Dodge County has successfully approved starting the process to transition to farmland preservation zoning. The town is facing increasing growth pressures, including recent applications for a private golf course and a solar energy farm. Ashippun's growth is largely driven by its location directly north of the rapidly growing village of Oconomowoc. He says local studies have shown that every dollar collected in taxes on farmland costs the town about 75 cents in services, whereas every dollar collected from development land costs about $1.25 in municipal expenses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They must drive differently in Georgia
There's more than meets the eye at June Dairy Celebrations around Wisconsin. Helping to guide those activities and educational opportunities are farm families all across the state and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Pam Jahnke visits with Dan Hinz of Pickett. Hinz is a fourth generation dairy operator that represents other dairy farms in Outagamie and Winnebago counties. Hinz believes that "America's Dairyland" isn't just a phrase, it's something that's been built for generations. He's proud to help people understand that today's dairy operations are family-rooted: 99% of farms are family-owned with multi-generational legacy and first-generation passion. Sharing the committment to care that dairy operators have is another reason Hinz enjoys June Dairy Month. Telling the story of the deep care for cows farms have, and the professionals they enlist to help like nutritionists, for hands-on daily care. The care doesn't end there. Stewardship of land: protecting soil and water for future generations and working hard to blend tradition with the latest innovation makes dairy a dynamic industry. A perfect example of that is the Master Cheesemaker program unique to Wisconsin. ONLY Switzerland has another Master Cheesemaker program. Those cheesemakers are also a part of the multi-generational dairy story shared through June Dairy events. Remember, 99% of the cheese proudly produced in Wisconsin ends up being consumed beyond our state borders, and well into the global marketplace. As Dan Hinz put it, “Some places make dairy, Wisconsin was Born to Dairy.” To find all the June Dairy Celebrations happening across the state, go to June Dairy Month on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin website and follow all the stories and shares on social media too!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
So you're saying it's still okay to drive a riding lawn mower to Pick 'N Save, unless....?
Always remember to clean your car out thoroughly before you sell it
What exactly is considered proper shelter for a cow?
Why might you be seeing more females stopping in front of the River Road fire department in Washington County?
The severe weather Wisconsin's experienced emphasizes why individual weather data can be so meaningful. Right now the National Weather Service is asking all residents to consider becoming a part of their weather reporting network. Ben Jarboe finds out why that individual information can be so powerful from Sarah Marquardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service bureau in S.E. Wisconsin. Frost may surprise some early risers today. Stu Muck says it's another weather system slowly moving through the state. The good news is that temps will warm, and we should be able to string together a couple days of dry weather. Consumers may be frustrated with high beef prices, but imagine the anxiety of the beef producers! Once they sell that animal, they have to consider how expensive it will be to purchase a replacement animal. Where's the tipping point in this high price arena? Kiley Allan asks that question of Dan Schaffer. Schaffer is a former professor in meat sciences at UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences. He's also a recent inductee into the WI Association of Meat Processors Hall of Fame. Schaffer now operates Schaffer Consulting trying to help processors and producers navigate these high prices. Seven new Master Cheesemakers have made the grade in Wisconsin. Pam Jahnke runs down the list of new honorees and explains a bit of their career path to the prize. Wisconsin dairy farmer Virgil Haag joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss the powerful partnership between the state’s producers and the Alice in Dairyland program. Explore how this ambassadorship uses high-reach media campaigns and personal community engagement to build lasting consumer trust. Sharing the story of Wisconsin’s dairy heritage today ensures a thriving industry for the next generation. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do we have one specific person that we can blame for all of the storms last week?
Not wearing a hat is what you complained about?!
Ep 255 | A well-known Nevada rancher is facing 10 years in federal prison for arson... but is there more to the story? This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara dig into the federal indictment and what the real reason might be for his arrest. They also break down Ella Langley's cameo-packed music video, what ag can learn from Wisconsin's new Dairyland campaign, and why eggs are coming back to schools (and why they left in the first place). What We Discovered This Week
One loser of a March Madness bracket has a tough price to pay
Participants in the Milwaukee MARTHON might have earned an extra-special badge this year
Wisconsin dairy farmer Virgil Haag joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss the powerful partnership between the state’s producers and the Alice in Dairyland program. Explore how this ambassadorship uses high-reach media campaigns and personal community engagement to build lasting consumer trust. Sharing the story of Wisconsin’s dairy heritage today ensures a thriving industry for the next generation. Learn more at wisconsindairy.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's okay to admire what other people are wearing, just don't steal it?
What would someone do with a stolen phone, spoons and cheese?
What could be worse than housesitting for someone and getting locked out of the house?
Would they be known as "Hondurasses"?
There's a Wisconsin specialty crop that captures the attention from people around the world. Ginseng is a root crop that thrives in our fresh climate here in Wisconsin. We're joined by 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, to tell us more about the crop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What got one man so excited that he wanted to shout and scream up and down the street?
Remember, lasers are for playing tricks on your cats
What could be the worst punishment to a 'dumbass'?