Podcasts about Heinberg

Wisconsin is home now to 79 weather stations that dot the state. These stations are generating real time information that farmers and outdoor enthusiasts can tap into. Pam Jahnke visit with Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet. Vagasky says one new element they've added to these stations are soil sensors. The 400 soil sensors provide "plant available water" readings at multiple depths in the soil profile. Heat and humidity are building in Wisconsin today with some severe weather that could develop. Stu Muck hones in on what areas need to be alert. The lull in auction action is over. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke that they're already seeing a surg on auctions being booked for later this fall. Huhn says by being proactive, clients get the benefit of solid preplanning, preparation and advance promotion. Paid for by Steffes Group. The market's continuing to watch development of New World Screw Worm. Now a total of four cases have been detected, including a dog in New Mexico. While it's not a food risk, it is a market disrupter. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, joins Pam Jahnke to discuss the chatter online. He's also watching certain regions in the latest crop progress report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, Susan Littlefield sits in again and has conversation with Jeff Hoogendoorn from Professional Ag Marketing, Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions and John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing.

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Dan Schaefer of Schaefer Beef Consulting tells Kiley Allan about common mistakes producers make when transitioning from dairy to beef. Stu Muck outlines a beautiful day in the Revolution Plastics Ag Weather Update. Is manure feeding your crops like it used to? Division of Extension Specialist Chris Clark tells Stephanie Hoff about her latest research out of the UW Dairy Innovation Hub looking at manure micronutrients and where farms are falling short. Ashley Huhn and Pam Jahnke discuss The Steffes Group's auction calendar and resources for both buyers and sellers. Market advisor John Heinberg of Total Farm Marketing walks Stephanie Hoff through the first USDA crop condition ratings and the recent loss of bullish momentum in the grain markets. Heinberg explains that while early corn and soybean ratings landed slightly below market expectations, the primary downward pressure on prices stems from a typical seasonal peak and heavy global competition from South American harvests. Ultimately, he advises producers to look past early-season weather anxieties and implement defensive risk management strategies before the market historically runs out of steam in mid-June.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New month, same story it seemed on Monday as the grain and livestock markets were largely mixed with the exception being soybean oil and cattle finding early week support. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us on today's show to provide analysis and perspective as the markets enter a new month with many of the same dynamics and headlines factoring into the trade. Find more at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. We saw soybean oil move higher again on Monday, along with crude oil, while the rest of the grain markets were mixed to lower watching the same old news headlines and more. Meantime, cattle futures had a decent rebound from last week to kickoff the month of June. Mike Minor with Professional Ag Marketing joins us to discuss on today's show. Find more online at https://professionalagmarketing.com. As the calendar flips to June, farmers and ranchers are watching the drought monitor, severe weather, rain potential and more closely as we enter the growing season. Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Weekly Weather Update. More at https://www.ag-wx.com. We also close out the show in Segment Four as our own Susan Littlefield talks markets after Monday's session with Matt Bennett from AgMarket.net.

Wisconsin continues to move forward with the goal of connecting everyone to the internet. Ben Jarboe finds out that the path has been rife with challenges. Alyssa Kenney, State Broadband and Digital Equity Director for Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says the goal remains to achieve full broadband access statewide by 2030. The state has had a broadband expansion grant program in place since 2014. Early funding was modest, but investments increased significantly starting in 2019 and surged during the pandemic. State and federal funding (including the American Rescue Plan Act) have driven major broadband expansion. Over $365 million has been invested, supporting more than 400 broadband projects. Nearly 1 million people (about 300,000 locations) have gained improved broadband access in the last five years. Heat has returned to Wisconsin! Stu Muck says now everyone needs to stay aware of the possibility for severe weather as the week unfolds. Career opportunities abound with the Steffes Group. Ashley Huhn visits with Pam Jahnke about some of the areas they need staff that may not first come to mind for people. Paid for by Steffes Group. The fertilizer industry is as anxious as consumers to find out what damage has been caused in the Strait of Hormuz. Corey Rosenbush, President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute says about a third of the world’s urea, 20 percent of the phosphate, and more than half of the sulfur moves through the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked by Iran since March 2nd. Unfortunately, says Rosenbusch, there are no simple or quick answers to bringing those prices back down. Oil prices did take a break over the holiday weekend. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing our of West Bend says traders will watch that today. He also notes that China has told Brazil they're not accepting their beef until after detecting hormones in some packages, but thinks there's some gamesmanship there. He also recaps Friday's April Milk Production figures. Big cow numbers and big production. That'll keep the pressure on Wisconsin dairy operations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's dairy operator's are being asked a lot. Many industry partners need to share details about sustainability practices with their consumers, but need the dairy story as part of the dialog. Stephanie Hoff talks with Jennifer Block, director of value chain partnerships, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. Dairy farmers have improved efficiency for decades, but they have lacked a consistent, credible way to quantify these efforts to receive financial recognition in the marketplace. There is increasing pressure on the supply chain to report Scope 3 emissions -- the carbon footprint generated directly on the farm -- making verified data more critical than ever. Empower+ provides a structured, third-party verified framework to turn everyday improvements into measurable climate outcomes that the value chain can trust. Unlike top-down mandates from corporations, this program allows farmers to choose the practices that fit their specific business, whether that is genetics, cow nutrition, or manure management. There are three pillars of implementation: 1) Gathering a complete baseline across feed, herd, manure, and cropping; 2) Running "what-if" models to identify the biggest efficiency gains before a farmer invests capital; 3) Using third-party audits to prove to processors and buyers that a reduction has actually occurred. The program focuses on an "insetting" model, keeping the carbon value within the dairy value chain (farmer, processor, and buyer) rather than selling it to outside industries. Most farmers already have an ongoing wish list of improvements; the ultimate goal is to ensure no value is left on the table as the global market shifts toward carbon-conscious sourcing. Rain moves through the state this morning. Stu Muck says some of the storms may have measurable rain, and strong winds. Once we're past this front, he says things calm down, and dry out. Steffes Group is still open to your item for their bi-monthly sale. Ashly Huhn tells Pam Jahnke about how this opportunity fits many elements of equipment. Paid for by Steffes Group. The Indy 500 will have a dairy presence again this year. Jenni Browning, CEO of the American Dairy Association of Indiana says it’s a time-honored tradition. One new change this year is making milk available for purchase during the race. China has agreed to a $17 billion commitment to the U.S. and its annual agricultural purchases. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend says the market can only trade off that for so long. Heinberg's also watching the wheat ratings as those crop scouts finish their observations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The grain markets shot higher to start the week as the White House released news on Sunday of reported agricultural purchase commitments made by China during last week's summit between Trump and Xi. Does this news give the grain markets enough juice to work back through key levels of resistance in the trade? How does the weather conversation play into things? John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss the grains and livestock markets on today's show. Find more online at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. As the grain markets reacted higher on Monday to reported news of China agricultural purchase commitments after the Trump/Xi summit, the livestock markets trade mixed to lower to start the week. Mike Minor and Luke Wells from Professional Ag Marketing join us to discuss the trade action in cattle, hogs and the grain markets. More at https://www.professionalagmarketing.com. We saw a large outbreak of severe weather over the weekend in parts of the Plains and Western Corn Belt with numerous reports of large hail, damaging winds, heavy rains and tornadoes across parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri with more on the way to start the week. Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss in our Weekly Weather Update for the week of May 18th, 2026. More at https://www.ag-wx.com.

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.

The Trump administration is preparing to temporarily lower tariffs on imported beef in an effort to ease record-high beef prices for American consumers. That news on Monday sent cattle futures on a wild ride that ended well off of session lows, as some early week cash cattle trade surfaced on the day as well. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss the livestock and grain trade to start the week, including a look ahead to the May WASDE Report, US/China meeting and more on tap this week. Find more online at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. Could we see a warmup in the weather pattern to help propel more spring planting this week? What about the early week frost concerns in the Upper Midwest? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Weekly Weather Update as we look at U.S. weather, updates for South America and Europe and more. Find more at https://www.ag-wx.com. In Segment One, we also get some market perspective from Tyler Schau with AgMarket.net and Arlan Suderman with StoneX at the top of the show.

We talk about drivers and motorcycle operators using care when sharing the road with large farm equipment. We also must focus attention on the farm youth that could be operating those implements. Ben Jarboe talks with Brittany Marquard, the education and programing manager at The Food and Farm Exploration Center in Plover. She says the with distracted drivers causing more accidents then ever before, it's important that young operators receive some training before operating. Marquard says even for 'farm kids', there's training necessary. Parents need to also have realistic expectations on what their kids can do. Understanding their body size and maturity are key components. Marquard says with all the increased horsepower on today's farm, even a small string on a hoodie can become a lethal entanglement that youth need to be aware of. Nice day on the way - and dry! Stu Muck says he's been seeing some seeders out, fertilizers getting spread - all thanks to drier conditions. Temperatures will cool a bit today, and there's still a chance of frost in the forecast through Thursday mid-morning. Auctioneering is a people to people service. Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke to recap some comments from clients that have worked with the group. Huhn says every employee in their firm makes a human connection with the client. That's a difference maker. Paid for by Steffes Group. Weather is causing problems for more than just Wisconsin farmers. Alyssa Kenney, State Broadband and Digital Equity Director for Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says some broadband internet projects got held up too. Kenney notes that Wisconsin has about 92% of their connectivity projects complete, but areas in Door County that received a lot of late snow are delayed. Still, she believes the state is well on its way to attaining statewide connectivity by 2030. Crop progress report had a few items of note this week. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to review. Lots of risk for Wisconsin farmers to monitor and manage coming up over the next 10 days according to Heinberg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We saw a strong day in soybeans, backed by more strength in soybean oil and some frost concerns from the weekend with November soybean futures breaking $12 before finishing off the highs. Meantime, corn was moderately higher with December futures breaking the $5 mark and closing above it. Kristi Van Ahn-Kjeseth with Van Ahn & Company joins us for market analysis and perspective on today's show. More at https://www.vanahnco.com. Corn and soybean futures tested key resistance and psychological levels on Monday with December corn closing above the $5 mark. Meantime, cattle and hogs saw more selling pressure to start the week. Was it simply follow through selling after Friday's poor close? John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss on today's show. Find more online or reach out at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. We saw some areas get frost over the weekend and there is some concern that it may have impacted early planted crops. What does the forecast look like as we move into the first full week of May? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Weekly Weather Update. Find more online at https://www.ag-wx.com.

John Heinberg, Total Farm Marketing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weather and global conflicts. It's all being surveiled by NASA. Ben Jarboe goes behind the scene with Mike Humber. Humber is NASA Harvest Data Lead and NASA Acres Deputy Director. The data collected by NASA satellites allows monitoring of crop conditions, water availability and much more. Jarboe finds out about what they learned when war erupted between Ukraine and Russia, and how the ongoing war in Iran is disrupting food production and movement. Cloudy and windy for our Tuesday. Stu Muck says the winds will be most noticed today, but there's hit and miss chances of rain for the next 48 hours too. Used equipment prices are holding firm rolling into spring planting. Ashley Huhn with Steffes Group Auctioneers says the trends they see in March sales attest to continued interest in quality used equipment. Paid for by Steffes Group. Louisianna corn growers got a nasty surprise on March 17th. An unexpected freeze! Dr. Shelly Kerns, corn specialist at Louisiana State University Ag Center in Winnsboro, says the calls started streaming in at dawn. Kerns encouraged growers to remain calm and give the plants a few days to recover. Ultimately though, 60-70% of impacted acres had to be replanted. That brought another unique set of challenges. Kerns says growers, including herself, were unable to find hybrid varieties that they wanted. That brought more anxiety in a year where costs were already high, and market opportunities already curtailed. Oil is back in the headlines for traders today. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketig, tells Pam Jahnke that the standoff with Iran is manifesting itself in higher oil prices and more demand for ethanol.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a higher day across many grain and livestock markets to start the week on Monday. Is this a one-off, general money flow kind of day or the start of something else? John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joined us for analysis on Monday's episode of Market Talk. Find more online by visiting https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. Farm Profit Manager, a newly launched farm financial management platform, has surpassed one million acres enrolled by producers in just 10 days with 500 users in 23 states in North America. We sit down with Shay Foulk, co-developer of Farm Profit Manager and an owner of Ag View Solutions, who gives us background on why they have developed this platform and what farmers can expect when they use it. Learn more online as well by visiting farmprofitmanager.app. We also begin the show with an agronomic conversation as Tryston Beyrer from The Mosaic Company joins us in Segment One and later in the show Brian Splitt from AgMarket.net joins us for more market analysis in Segment Four.

More headlines and uncertainty surrounding the Middle East war impacted outside markets to start the week, but what about grain and livestock trade? Are the ag markets getting tired of the constant headline news cycle? John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss the start of the week in the market trade. Find more at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. We had some intense severe weather last week across parts of the Midwest and now many are seeing cold temperatures to start this week. What exactly is going on with our current weather pattern in the U.S. and will it change anytime soon? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Weekly Weather Update. More at https://www.ag-wx.com.

Last night's thunderstorms provided some impressive rainfall totals and fierce winds. Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck says we can expect more precipitation throughout the week. Bob Bosold takes us on a trip to Arizona to learn about olives and olive oil. Different olives produce different types and qualities of oil. The oil you choose depends greatly on use and taste. Bob learns more. Pam catches up with Randy Kath and our friends at the Steffes Group. This week's rain has the potential to play a role in filling manure pits, and will need to be emptied before we know it. As Wisconsin farms get larger and shift toward liquid manure systems, the number of injuries and deaths related to toxic gas exposure is trending higher. Stephanie Hoff and Extension Specialist Becky Larson talk manure gas safety musts. Why have corn and wheat been feeling pressure, and are soybeans next? John Heinberg walks us through the elements to pay attention to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wheat and crude oil were higher on Monday amid the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz while soybeans and products were weaker with corn finishing slightly lower on the day. Livestock trade was a mixed bag in quiet action to start the week. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us for analysis and perspective on the markets as we start the week. Find more at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. It's also another week of the weather pattern remaining quite the same as we expect severe weather from Texas to the Great Lakes while areas outside of that remain dry. Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss the forecast in our Weekly Weather Update. More at https://www.ag-wx.com. We also open Monday's show with an agronomic conversation as Jason Schley from BW Fusion joins us and we wrap in Segment Four as Susan Littlefield shares some market perspective from Matt Bennett with AgMarket.net.

It won't be long before Wisconsin roadways will have some large, heavy equipment heading to the fields. Safety has to be a paramount concern for the farmers operating it, and the drivers sharing the road. Kiley Allan gets a refresher course on what to remember from WI State Trooper. Warmer temps are coming to Wisconsin from Canada. Stu Muck says there's still a chance for rain in the forecast, and for people farther north - possible snow again. Farmers are preparing to head to the fields for spring planting. Once that seed is out of the bag and in the ground - they're committed. But what happens if their agribusiness partner, which was going to buy that product closes or goes bankrupt before the harvest? What's their recourse? Stephanie Hoff talks with Randy Fleishauer of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point. He currently sits on DATCP's Producer Security Council which is designed to deal with that dilemma, if it happens. Fleishauer says losing a specialty crop processor disrupts the essential rotation needed for potatoes; without a "place to go" with secondary crops, growers cannot maintain soil health or yield. Unlike row crops like corn or soybeans, canning crops are "timely" and cannot be stored on-farm. If a processor can’t take them, the crop is often disced back into the dirt or sold as cattle feed. And potato growers have limited on-farm storage. A shift in crop types forces local fertilizer and equipment suppliers to pivot their entire inventory, often driving up costs for the grower due to last-minute supply chain demands. Fleishauer site the Del Monte bankruptcy last summer as an example of when this council comes into play. The first crop progress report for 2026 was released on Monday. Pam Jahnke reports that moisture situations look adequate statewide. Only about 2% of oats have been seeded so far. Corn and soybeans have decoupled from the Iran War in the marketplace. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend says that's lessened the swings on prices. Triggers are still out there with crude oil until June, when there appears to be a "break". Heinberg also notes that live cattle prices continue to climb. Drier conditions in the west put critical grazing land in question for many cow/calf operators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grain and livestock markets were mixed on Monday as traders search for direction coming out of the holiday weekend. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss what he's watching in the markets as we start the first full week of April. More at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. As we enter the first full week of April, the U.S. drought monitor shows nearly 80% of the country in some form of drought. Will we start to see any beneficial moisture this week or into April that could help alleviate some of the drought concerns? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Weekly Weather Update. More at https://www.ag-wx.com.

Rain looks like it will be here to stay for a few days according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. Warmer weather gives the feeling of summer right around the corner and one staple of the summer is bees. Jill Welke chats with Galen Klisiewicz, the Director of the Chippewa Valley Beekeepers, to see why it has been a bit tough in recent times. Farmers are constantly looking to get the most out of their operation and for dairy farms that might mean carbon credits. Stephanie Hoff talks with Jennifer Block, the director of value chain partnerships with Edge Dairy Cooperative, to see how their EmPower+ program can help farmers get more out of their carbon credits. Ben Jarboe talks with John Heinberg, a market advisor with Total Farm Marketing, to get a preview on upcoming reports and discuss what is happening with cattle. He says today's report may be heavily dictated by fertilizer for planting acres.--See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Heinberg of Total Farm Marketing joins Mark Magnuson in today's midday market podcast.

Crude oil surged again on Monday as the grain and livestock markets were mixed to mostly higher. Between war headlines, Tuesday's USDA reports, a holiday shortened week AND the end of the month/quarter; there is going to be plenty of market forces at play this week. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss on today's show. Find more at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. There has been more and more talk about the potential of seeing the 2012 weather pattern get repeated in 2026. Is that truly about to happen? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions shares his thoughts on that, his new ELVIS model and more in our Weekly Weather Update. Find more online as well at https://www.ag-wx.com. Also, ahead of the USDA's Prospective Plantings report release, FBN has released their 2026 Planting Intentions Report. Their survey says corn acres will hold stronger than expected while soybean acres will be higher this year. Meantime, wheat and cotton acres could face pressure. Cody Bills with FBN joins us to discuss. View their full report here: https://www.fbn.com/direct/resources/planting-intentions-report?srsltid=AfmBOooYQ4qGtPbeQ5YkilXgJCaY1D4g5Sf9UQO-kTZEcKXf7e-FIooU

Susan Littlefield sits in for Jesse Allen on Thursday's Market Talk and has conversations with Sam Hudson from Cornbelt Marketing, John Heinberg from Total Farm Marketing and an episode of Cattle Chatter with Joe Kooima from KKV Trading.

Stu Muck says we can expect moderate temperatures that fluctuate throughout the week. With current events affecting prices, farm inputs are seemingly on the rise. Pam Jahnke gets a 2026 financial forecast from Bill Moore. Insurance can be complicated to navigate, but it's a necessary part of doing business with both traditional equipment, as well as new technology. Stephanie Hoff sits down with insurance advisor Eric Greening to learn the intricacies of drone insurance. Brittany Marquard is the Education and Programming Manager at the Food and Farm Exploration Center. She talks to Ben Jarboe about a youth farm safety training the center is hosting. John Heinberg weighs in on current issues affecting the marketplace. He walks us through the impact of tensions with Iran. He explains what we expect to come from President Trump's "Celebration of Agriculture."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday was another day of headline news risk and volatility in the markets. We catch up on the latest market moves in grains, livestock, energies and the stock market as we start the week with John Heinberg from Total Farm Marketing. Learn more online by visiting https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. We are seeing a rollercoaster of weather with record heat over the weekend, coming off a recent blizzard. What does the temperature and precipitation outlook show us for the next few weeks ahead? Will we see some drought relief in the plains? And what's this "Godzilla El Niño" talk on social media? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Weekly Weather Update. Find more at https://www.ag-wx.com. We also get the show started talking seed treatments with Troy Bauer from BASF and close things in Segment Four with Susan Littlefield and Jim McCormick from AgMarket.net talking markets after Monday's session.

The Farm and Industry Short Course has a new leader. Mary Holle is the new program director at UW-River Falls Farm and Industry Short Course. Mary and her husband operate a 480-acre farm in Baldwin, Wisconsin, where they manage a herd of 50 registered Holsteins. She tells Stephanie Hoff about the 16-week course which is specifically designed for the "slow season," running from the last week of October to the second week of March. Students spend roughly 80% of their time at the Mann Valley lab farm, working directly with cows, silages, and industry professionals. While the current curriculum is dairy-focused, there are plans to add business, horticulture, agronomy, and soil science electives by the 2026–27 school year. Mary aims to rebuild the FISC advisory board and restart the agricultural tour to connect current students with successful program graduates. Prospective students can reach out directly to the program via a dedicated email address: fisc@uwrf.edu. Snow totals continue to impress on a Tuesday morning. Stu Muck runs down tally's from around the state. He also cautions that more snow could be coming back around. Drifting will continue to be a challenge. As agriculture grows, so does the size of the buildings it's using. Ben Jarboe finds out about some of the challenges that have to be met in constructing those buildings from Jason Ullmer. Ullmer is an ag construction advisor in the Fox Valley. In Wisconsin, current milking parlors were probably built around 2000. That means it could be time for an upgrade. He explains that expansion projects take time and a lot of attention to details. Soybeans moved limit lower yesterday in Chicago. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend says it was sparked by rumors that the US/China meeting will be postponed. He says that there was also a brief comment made by China that they were interested in almost everything except U.S. soybeans. If you're looking for a positive from all the snow - think river levels. Heinberg says at least for the upper Mississippi River transports, levels are good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a rough start to the week on Monday, March 16th, 2026 as the entire soy complex came under heavy selling pressure. What led to soybeans, meal and soybean oil being down daily limits? John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss headline news impacts, fund positioning in corn and soybeans, cattle market strength and more. Find more online at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. Also on today's show, we talk a lot about futures and options but what about ETFs for individual agricultural commodities like corn, wheat, and soybeans? What is an ETF exactly and how is it different? Sal Gilbertie of Teucrium Trading, a firm that deals with commodity ETFs, joins us for a conversation about how to use commodity ETFs as a modern risk management tool in today's farm economy. Learn more online at https://teucrium.com.

Dr. Tera Montgomery, Director at the School of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin-Platteville says they've got a lot to offer students and industry. In her conversation with Kiley Allan, Montgomery says campus offers seven majors, including animal science and ag-business. Enrollment is rising due to Wisconsin’s direct admission policy and a growing student interest in precision technology, water stewardship, and manure management. Central to the curriculum is hands-on learning, primarily through the 430-acre Pioneer Farm. Students engage in crop production, agroecology research, and livestock management (beef, dairy, and swine), supplemented by specialized campus labs in food technology and anatomy. The program caters to both students from farming backgrounds and those without farm experience, ensuring they gain the "on-farm" credibility required by industry employers. That gorgeous weather on Monday set records in Madison, LaCrosse and Milwaukee. Now it's a memory. Stu Muck says we've got cooler, wet weather moving in as soon as this afternoon. That St. Patrick's Day pub crawl could be wet too. AI is finding more inroads to Wisconsin dairies. Technology has always been a part of day-to-day operations, but now it's looking different. Ben Jarboe gets some perspective from Dr. Jeffery Bewley, Executive director of genetics and innovation for Holstein Association USA. He says the language models that AI offers are very farmer friendly. Advanced computing abilities for farm data, images and video are driving some of the latest tools. Bewley says while all the technology is great, it does have limitations. Bewley says it requires broadband strength, computer power and reliability. That brings ripples in community conversations about things like data centers. Bewley says while all of the advancements are wonderful, they won't likely replace all the human elements needed to handle animals and changing conditions. Markets continue to have a laser focus on what's happen in the Middle East. Petroleum and fertilizer are the two big items agriculture's following. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend broadens our perspective on what else is being impacted. It looks like the cattle market is making some downward moves motivated by higher corn prices. Everything isn't clear yet - but it's something cattle producers should keep an eye on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another day of volatility in the commodity markets on Monday as grains and oilseeds, along with livestock, settled the session mostly mixed to lower. Crude oil finished well off session highs after spiking to near $120 overnight as Middle East headlines continue to flow.  John Heinberg from Total Farm Marketing joins us in the back half of today's show for a conversation while we also get insight from Mike Castle with StoneX in Segment Two. At the start of the show, we take a look at more severe weather risk this week and discuss the forecast with Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien.

Today marks the beginning of the World Champion Cheese event at Monona Terrace Convention Center in downtown Madison. With more than 3,300 entries from around the world and 56 world class judges ready to go - it draws a crowd. One person that's witnessed the excitement first hand is Steve Stettler. Stettler is a Master Cheesemaker himself and owner/operator of Decatur Dairy in Brodhead. He says it's been fun to watch the event grow in size and overall appeal. He thinks Wisconsin is the ideal place to host this gathering of the world's greatest cheesemakers. He takes Pam Jahnke behind the curtains with show details.Get those rain gauges out! Stu Muck says today will bring a little precipitation around the state, but more measurable rain is expected by late this week. Rain, sleet, snow - it's not really going to stop farms from handling some spring clean-up. Ben Jarboe listens in as a member of Pennisula Pride Farms watershed explains how calculated they are on manure management in spring. Barry Bubolz works with NRCS demonstration farms in Door County. He says farming along the lakeshore is different then other areas of the state, and that has to be respected by the farms managing nutrients and changing weather.Markets are being whiplashed again this morning in response to the US-Israel-Iran war. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, emphasizes the areas that farms and agriculture are monitoring. Crude oil will drive headlines. Heinberg also advises that growers know where your fertilizer is and make sure you're going to get it. Plus, soybeans and wheat catch a rally. Be sure and capitalize on it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was no surprise that we saw volatility across the market trade to start the month of March as the weekend actions in the Middle East have stirred many market sectors. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss the latest market moves in grains, livestock and energies along with thoughts on navigating risk management right now. Find more online by visiting https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. As we enter into the month of March, are we ready to fully embrace spring or will there be another round of cold weather ahead? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss the March outlook for preciptation, temperatures and how it's a "buyer beware forecast" right now. Find more online at https://www.ag-wx.com. Plus at the beginning of the show, we talk fertilizer markets specifically as Susan Littlefield has a conversation with Josh Linville, VP of Fertilizer at StoneX, about the latest in the Middle East and potential market impacts.

The 46th annual meeting of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni brought historic high marks for membership. Pam Jahnke discusses the accomplishments and what's ahead with Tari Costello, executive director of the group. Costello says they've gained 2,000 more members in the past year, as well as 10 new alumni chapters statewide. Nick Lowe is pleased to see the numbers. Lowe is a life-long member of the Stoughton FFA and Stoughton FFA Alumni. He explains how his parents helped inspire his engagement with FFA, and how he elevated his activities to the state level. Another blustery day for Wisconsin with winds whipping up to 35 miles per hour. Stu Muck says the winds should settle down later this week but not before some lumpy precipitation moves through. The Mid-West Farm Report has partnered with the Professional Dairy Producers for their annual business conference coming up March 4-5. Ben Jarboe highlights some of the top shelf conversations that will be offered, including Dr. David Kohl. Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Ag Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech, will speak on building a resilient dairy business. Resilient, nimble dairy operations often have three to six different revenue streams. Kohl says diversification strategies discussed will include value-added creameries, agritourism, special events, cattle genetics sales, methane digesters, and consulting services. First time attendees could score free admission courtesy of the Mid-West Farm Report. Just text your name and email address to 877-301-3276. Valued at more than $400!Markets are still trying to figure out what the tariff conversations mean for agriculture. With the Supreme Court denying President Trump's tariff's, but then the president deploying another round of tariffs under a different measure - everyone's confused. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, tries to sort through what we know now. Also, beef consumption remains well supported by consumers despite higher prices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The humble potato is getting a makeover as culinary experts work to move the vegetable from a simple side dish to the center of the plate. At the "Spud Lab" in Denver, RJ Harvey, Culinary Director for Potatoes USA, is leading a movement to transform how major food brands, universities, and even the medical community view the potato.He tells Stephanie Hoff that the Spud Lab has identified key functional benefits of potatoes that go beyond flavor. In baked goods, potatoes are proven to improve moisture retention and shelf life, while in savory applications, they serve as "allergen solves." For example, potatoes provide creaminess without dairy or thicken soups without flour (gluten).More above normal temps on the way today, bringing with it a few showers. Stu Muck says that will help draw out any frost that may remain in some soils across the state.A junior from Waunakee High School has become the 2026 WI FFA Auctioneer Champion. Junie Kierce won this year’s competition and started well in advance preparing. Kierce tells Ben Jarboe that her activity in public speaking helped out, but that the mentorship from an actual auctioneer was key. Kierce was paired with Jenny Gehl, a professional auctioneer from SE Wisconsin. Some of the challenge areas for Kierce were the actual items she had to sell. She says not knowing what something was used for could've been a big obstacle if it weren't for the support and knowledge of other auctioneers. Now with the win, she earned the opportunity to attend auctioneering school or compete at the International Junior Auctioneers Championship.A 3-day weekend didn't improve the attitude of traders apparently. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke for an update. One area that he's monitoring is the run up in soybean oil. From food to fuel, that commodity is finding many avenues of use.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wheels are turning to administer the USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Pam Jahnke's joined by Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of USDA's Farm Service Agency offices. Chalmers says the staff is working on generating pre-filled paperwork that should land in producers mailboxes by the end of February. Growers will simply need to certify the information is correct, and return the paperwork. The funds will be directly distributed to the farms account. She's also asking dairy operators to get the new updates on the Dairy Margin Coverage Program. Chalmers says there's been some updates through the Big Beautiful Bill that could help dairy's cover more of their production.Sunshine today - but plenty of wind too. Stu Muck says the temperatures will continue to be above average, but today the wind chills will still be noticeable.Entrepreneurial spirit and inspiration helped a partnership in Westby launch a Wisconsin vodka brand, with a twist. Ben Jarboe talks with Scott Kring, one of the partners behind Birch Point Distillery. They leaned on their neighbors at Hidden Springs Creamery for advice and suggestions. In the end, they decided to focus on producing vodka made from sheep milk whey. It's a unique process that requires special handling. Kring explains how a grant from the Dairy Business Innovation Association(DBIA) helped them acquire some of the equipment they needed to get rolling. Now production has been so well received, they're pulling milk from another sheep dairy!If you struggle for unique Valentine's ideas - worry no more. Wisconsin's cheesemakers are suggesting a cooperative cheese board might do the trick. Pam Jahnke shares suggestions from Crave Brothers Cheese in Waterloo who collaborated with other Wisconsin cheesemakers for unique flavor combinations to satisfy any couple, at any level of the relationship stage.Markets on Wall Street and Chicago have been hit with erratic trading. John Heinberg breaks down some of the fundamentals rocking the boat. It started with Trump asking China for more bean sales. Is it happening? With algorithms driving daily trade, farms need tools in place. You're not as fast as a computer executing sales.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We saw a quiet start to the week in the grain and livestock markets as the grains prep for the February WASDE Report tomorrow. John Heinberg from Total Farm Marketing joins us for a conversation. Also, we get an update on the weather forecast for the week ahead with Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien Ag Solutions and listen in to a conversation from last week during CattleCon 2026 with Kara Lee, Director of Producer Engagement, Certified Angus Beef.

Today Stephanie Hoff catches up with Maria Woldt, program manager for the UW Dairy Innovation Hub. Every dairy cow in Wisconsin generates approximately $41,500 in economic activity annually, a statistic that underscores the importance of the UW Dairy Innovation Hub's mission. Now in its sixth year, the Hub has funded over 260 projects. While some results are immediate, many are long-term investments that prioritize sustainable growth over quick fixes. In the last fiscal year alone, the Hub trained 310 students (mostly undergraduates) from diverse academic backgrounds ranging from political science to soil science to ignite interest in dairy careers. Researchers at UW-Platteville recently secured a patent for converting cheese whey into biodegradable 3D-printing filament, providing a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The Hub is playing the "long game" by studying how dairy ingredients can be used to treat or prevent non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dementia, and IBS. Despite a volatile dairy economy, the Hub serves as a "bright spot" for farmers by focusing on innovation that benefits the entire supply chain, regardless of farm size or management style. Temps keep warming around Wisconsin. Stu Muck says the forecast doesn't hold much snow, which is keeping winter skiers and snowmobilers in place. Lab grown meat is getting another look at the state capitol. Pam Jahnke visits with WI Senator Pat Testin about the flurry of activity he's keeping track of. Testin says he has visited a lab producing lobster in the past. While not to his taste, Testin says if consumers are going to have lab based meat as an option, labeling is clearly something that must be in place. The financial distribution of about $11 billion in USDA aid is underway. Sandy Chalmers, state executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency offices says operators should watch for a pre-certified document being mailed. Once that document is certified and returned to FSA, ALL of the money under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program will be disbursed. The market's looking for news these days according to John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend. All eyes continue to look to South America and their weather patterns. Precious metals became an easy distraction for traders on Monday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we explore the emotional and practical complexities of transitioning to assisted living. Stephanie Hoff talks to Mike Pochowski, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association. He emphasizes the importance of balancing personal independence with safety. He shares with Hoff a roadmap for families, including how to navigate difficult conversations and where to find financial resources. Community support and proactive planning ensure a high quality of life for seniors in both urban and rural settings. A little snow overnight shouldn't cause any travel disruptions today. It stays cold according to Stu Muck, but temps could improve by the weekend. Approximately 27% of Wisconsin farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for health insurance. Without credits, the cap on premiums (previously 8.5% of income) has vanished, forcing tough choices between health and farm survival. Ben Nelson, executive director of Cooperative Network, explains how challenging it is to try and find coverage for farm families today. The Cooperative Network is exploring reopening the Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin to provide independent, comprehensive coverage. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend will be one of the featured speakers this morning at the annual UW Ag Outlook Forum. This morning he tells Pam Jahnke that dairy has seen some robust trading over the past few days. Question is will it last. Weather's also impacted some trading, especially dairy and wheat short-term. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a strong day for dairy and cattle to start the week while the grain trade was mostly lower to start the week. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss what he's seeing across the markets as we start off the week of trading. More at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. Many part of the U.S. are experiencing frigid temperatures this week, on top of a massive winter storm that brought snow, ice, power outages and more for many across the country (Jesse Allen included). For our Weekly Weather Update with Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien Ag Solutions, Jesse shares a firsthand look at what his backyard looks like and they talk about when this pattern may change and start to thaw folks out. More at https://www.ag-wx.com.

Stephanie Hoff gets a closer look at organic butter production in Wisconsin. Chelsea Weadge explains how Organic Valley balances seasonal milk fluctuations caused by cows moving off pasture during the winter months. Unlike the conventional market, the cooperative doesn't compete on volume. It maintains its premium pricing by focusing on consumer values. Looking ahead to 2026, the brand is leveraging new grants to modernize its Wisconsin processing plant with a focus on sustainable packaging and high-protein product innovations. Frigid temperatures continue today and bring with them a chance of snow. Stu Muck explains what areas are likely to get the most accumulation, and when temperatures will start to fluctuate. Wisconsin's "Grow" convention continues in Wisconsin Dells. Kiley Allan made the trip to find out how strawberry, apple, grape and Christmas tree growers are approaching 2026. Sometimes it's not just about the crop. She finds out about how Mayberry Farms began in Mayville back in 2020 from Danielle Clark. The mother of 5 says that their background growing up on the farm was a big motivation to raise their kids on an active farm. Markets are in a nose dive this morning over strains between the United States and Europe - the quest for Greenland top of mind. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend explains how that tension weighs down commodity actions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Large portions of what would normally be a Farm Bill have already been included in the "Big Beautiful Bill". That's part of the update from Congressman Derrick VanOrden. The western Wisconsin representative tells Ben Jarboe about several components designed to protect food safety elements, animal health, and international competition. The last of the snow may be gone around most of Wisconsin by the end of the day today. Stu Muck says you're already hearing the gusting winds this morning. That will be a big part of the weather story today and tomorrow. 95% of Wisconsin's total population have made a stop at a county fair or the fairgrounds. That's part of the economic story revealed at the WI Fair Associations annual meeting in WI Dells. Pam Jahnke talks with Ray Alisson, chair of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, and executive director of the Indiana State Fair. Alisson says that in Wisconsin, fairs contribute over $1.5 billion to the local and state economy. This is part of the story that will be shared with policy makers and local businesses. It's also helping to launch a new phase of questioning focused on the non-financial value of county fairs. The market is still shocked after big numbers were released in Monday's World Ag Supply Demand report. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing says he heard the deflation in his clients voices yesterday. If there is a bullish element left in the market, it's corn. Heinberg says we need to keep grinding through this girth of corn if there's any hope of trying to reclaim higher prices without a weather event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday, USDA released a ton of data with it's January report dump and most people were of the opinion that the numbers were bearish for the market outlook moving forward. We discuss the surprising changes to corn yield, harvest area, ending stocks and so much more on today's show. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing shares his reaction and analysis of today's reports. Find more at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. Plenty of weather storylines to watch this week across the U.S. and around the world, including cold and snow for some and dryness for others. But how about a long term idea that maybe, El Nino could return in 2026? That's one of many things we talk about with Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien Ag Solutions on this week's Weekly Weather Update. More at https://www.ag-wx.com. We also start the show in segment one with reaction to the January USDA numbers from Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX.

What's happening with consumer preferences now that winter is upon us and fresh produce and vegetables from local growers has shrunk? Kiley Allan talks about it with Nick Novak, President of the Midwest Food Products Association. Novak says that keeping consumers' confidence is key in light of questions about ingredients and sources. He notes that canned and frozen vegetables offer transparency as consumers can easily see the few simple ingredients. typically, just the vegetable, water, and sometimes salt. Nutritionally speaking Novak says that preserved vegetables are very similar in quality to fresh options, as they are typically picked and canned or frozen at the peak of freshness. He does admit that the recent government shutdown has impacted consumer purchasing decisions and spending.Some parts of Wisconsin have a glaze of ice to deal with this morning. Stu Muck looks region by region at what's moving through Wisconsin this morning, and what we'll be seeing for the rest of the day.There is one bright spot in production agriculture that's working to get more attention. Lamb! David Fisher, Vice Chair of the American Lamb Board says they're seeing a noticeable uptick the amount of lamb being purchased by consumers. They're also working on an educational message about getting into lamb production through somewhat unconventional ways, like grazing sheep under solar arrays.Venezuela didn't do much to influence commodities on Monday, but it could influence oil going forward. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend says that Monday's USDA grain report will also be critical. Heinberg says that Monday's report will likely set the goal posts for what corn/soybean prices will shoot for.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.

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.

Monday's market action had a bit of a "risk-off" flavor to it, especially in the grains and oilseeds. However, we did finished somewhat mixed on the session as we've hit the halfway point of December and the downhill slide to the holidays. John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing joins us to discuss the markets as we get the week started. Learn more at https://www.totalfarmmarketing.com. With a warm up on the way this week, could that mean a sloppy and muddy mess just in time for Christmas? Also, what do some of the longer range models show us as we move into January? Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions joins us to discuss on our Market Talk Weekly Weather Update. Find more online at https://www.ag-wx.com. Also to start the show, could we see the a continued rally and uptrend in the cattle complex as we close out 2025 and look ahead to January? Does high price equal profitability right now? Brady Huck with Advance Trading joins us to discuss the cattle markets and share perspective on the holiday grain trade as well as we start the week.

Wisconsin hemp growers are facing going out of business if state leaders don't take action to protect them. Part of the comprehensive compromise bill that got the federal government open again contained language that would shut down the nation's hemp industry by this time next year. State Senator Pat Testin recognizes the value in the industry and has crafted legislation that would, hopefully, allow the growers and manufacturers to continue. Pam Jahnke finds out about those efforts, and his recent meeting with WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, over proposed fee increases that would impact the state's livestock industry. Winter weather advisory out for most of Wisconsin beginning this afternoon. Stu Muck explains what the next system is bringing in and what we should expect. Dairy is struggling and it's an odd time of the year for that statement to be true. Stephanie Hoff talks with Kim Heiman, manager at Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield. Nasonville focuses a lot of attention on "commodity cheese" which can be marketed through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He explains how that market's been impacted and what 2026 quarter one looks like. USDA announced a $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program on Monday. Pam Jahnke explains the released details and what WI farms will qualify for payments. She also announces the election results from the 106th annual business meeting of the WI Farm Bureau Federation. Brad Olsen has been re-elected WFBF President, and Brian Preder has been elected Rural Mutual Insurance President. Markets are flat in reaction to the USDA aid announced yesterday. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to discuss. He also notes that today we'll get the December World Ag Supply report. Although not usually a newsmaker - traders may be looking for information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commodity marketing is a real struggle for Wisconsin farmers. What could improve? How should growers plan? Ben Jarboe visits with UW-Madison Ag Economist, Paul Mitchell, about all the elements that influence prices from government programs to international tariffs. Mitchell is currently organizing the 2026 UW Ag Outlook Forum that will take a closer look at various segments of Wisconsin agriculture January 27th.Freezing fog is a part of the early morning commute this morning. Stu Muck says that subzero temps will stick around through most of this week. He does note that there's another chance for snow rolling in by this Friday.While Wisconsin farmers are struggling with commodity marketing, they may be overlooking one of the geographic benefits they have. Water. Not just water for the crops to grow, but water to help market those commodities. Stephanie Hoff talks to Max Fischer, chief economist and treasurer of the National Grain and Feed Association. He says the investments that have been made in the Port of Milwaukee are a great example of Wisconsin getting ahead. Fischer says the St. Lawrence Seaway is an untapped resource for moving grain into the international market chain inexpensively.Wisconsin's hemp industry could disappear within a year because of federal language that snuck into the compromise bill that reopened the government. WI Senator Pat Testin has authored legislation that would essentially allow the state's hemp farmers and manufacturers to continue to operate. It's similar to what other states have adopted to shun the federal attempt to kill the industry. The cattle market took a dip on the news that a Nebraska meat processing facility would be closing. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to discuss. Heinberg sasy the Nebraska plant had been a target for closure before, but now it plays into a bigger story of where cattle are, and how much they weigh. He notes that cattle in the north are heavier than those in the south, and they're being discounted because of it. With cheap corn he says many growers have opted to add a few pounds on these high value animals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the pastures of Waupaca County to leadership tables across Wisconsin, Rachel Bouressa wears many hats. She’s a beef farmer, an agriculture advocate, and a conservation coach. On her family’s farm near Royalton, she practices rotational grazing and works to help other farmers overcome the challenges of starting their own conservation journey. She tells Stephanie Hoff about what it takes to make conservation work for your farm. Her advice? Collaboration is key to lasting change. Start small, stay flexible, and build your network as you work to implement conservation projects on the farm. A messy mix of precipitation is happening across Wisconsin this morning. Stu Muck says that it's not going to last, but it may make the morning commute interesting for some. With the advancement in technology, fewer and fewer auction companies are involved in live auctions anymore. Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group highlights a couple live auctions they've got scheduled starting today. He says with their unique platform, they can facilitate bidders that have signed up in advance, or those that want to join the auction as it happens. Paid for by Steffes Group. If your business partner was a "no show" for 43 days, you might rethink your arrangement. That's exactly what some farmers are doing, including Eric Wuthrich from Green County. He says simple things like trying to cash grain checks during the harvest and making loan repayments became very difficult. At the same time, the federal legislation that reopened the federal government also gutted the nation's hemp industry. Phillip Scott, president/founder of WI Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association is trying to find a way to move forward as both a grower of hemp, and someone who depends on a storefront for his livelihood. If nothing changes, he's got less than a year to find a new plan. The markets have been disappointed with the delayed reports issued by USDA. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to break it down. Heinberg says the government lowered its expectations on this year's corn and soybean crop, but it's still a big crop. The market got excited on Monday when news hit that China had purchased multiple cargo loads of U.S. soybeans. That rally, however, turns U.S. beans into an expensive investment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin is getting more and more interest from data center developers. It's not new to the state. Michael Greif, fellow with the Midwest Environmental Advocates says that information transparency is critical for residents near these centers. He says knowing where power lines will be located is particularly important since utilities have been using "imminent domain" to secure land for power towers. Another nice sunny day for Wisconsin. Stu Muck says although the weather's breezy and dry, some of our remaining corn and soybean fields aren't drying down. Volume has picked up again with sales listings at the Steffes Group. Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that their latest catalog is ready to go! Interested parties can download it from the website or call for a physical copy. Paid for by the Steffes Group. Households are trying to figure out how to manage their needs without SNAP/FoodShare assistance this week. Even if the federal government gets payments moving, it's going to take a few days/weeks/months to restore normal flow. That's having an adverse effect on our grocery stores. Stephanie Hoff talks to Michael Seeman, president and CEO of the WI Grocers Association about how stores are managing this disruption. John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam Jahnke that the trade will start seeing some data release beginning next week. He notes that we'll get two dairy production reports, but there's still some uncertainty on the WASDE update content.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.