MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

What are some key differences between President Trump’s first and second terms that agriculture should take note of? We’re hearing it today from someone who was inside the administration. Gregg Doud is the National Milk Producers Federation president and CEO. Before arriving at NMPF, he served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from...

Known for herd management software, Dart, DRMS is excited about their new flagship program. Asha Miles the Director of DRMS. She tells us about their program, Dart, as well as their new completely web-based platform - HerdHQ. Designed to help producers make fast, actionable decisions from anywhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Butter prices have fallen to their lowest level in four years, even as demand climbs heading into the holiday season. CoBank lead dairy economist Corey Geiger says the drop stems from strong milkfat supplies. Butterfat production on U.S. farms is up about 6 percent month over month, while butter sales are up 4.5 percent. Despite a 250 percent jump in butter exports helping to support the market, G...

The Farm and Industry short course or FISC for short has been a part of UW-River Falls for about 3 years now, helping everyone who attends gain a stronger grasp on farming operations. Mike Orth the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences shares an update on how they have seen it grow since its start in 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Hutnik, the DNR Forest Ecologist and Silviculturist, is expecting a beautiful fall color. He says cool conditions haven't accelerated the process. Color will be coming quickly in the next week or two. He says that fall is also the best time to plan for your forest management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keenan Tygesen grew up in the barn, just like his parents. For as long as he can remember, he's been milking cows. What started when he was young, has turned into a lifelong passion. Keenan reflects on his recent win at the Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo. He tells us about the intricacies he's looking for during contests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

The dairy industry is a global one that brings on many different climates, terrains, and challenges that differ from here in Wisconsin. Here to speak are a couple dairy producers from a country that is on a 6-month seasonal difference than the US. Grant Wills a dairy farmer and Olivia Thompson with Fonterra give a look in the differences they have noticed in how they produce in New Zealand compare...

In the US dairy industry there is a lot of uncertainty looming especially when it comes to labor. Recent deportation laws have created a lot of fear within the industry for the farmers and their workers. Here to shed some light on work being done to preserve the workforce in the industry is Laurie Fischer the CEO of the American Dairy Coalition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Dairy Expo isn’t just about celebrating cows, but also the many cultures that are part of this great industry. The Brown Swiss is one of the cows that brings together multiple countries. Tony Zgraggen and his group the New Glarus Yodel club brought a piece of Switzerland to expo, and he is here to give more insight into their tradition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Rural Mutual Insurance wants to draw attention to the importance of mental health in agriculture. Struggling with mental health in the farming community is more common than many people think. Dr. Paula Hillmann, counseling psychologist with Wisconsin Farm Center, says it's important to get beyond the stigma of mental health. "People care about you. There is help." She emphasizes that you're not al...

Fields are drying down all across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.  Steve Quade, Regional Sales Manager with Wyffels Hybrids says they've seen some hybrids dry down more than 5% points in a few days!  That's led to concerns over machine fires, and farmers health.  Quade says thinking safety and prioritizing grower health is paramount right now. Quade also reminds growers to keep an...

The first round of the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program grants is open! This application period will distribute $50 million in ARIP funding to support projects across the state focused on improving rural roads and culverts that are critical to moving and transporting agricultural and forestry products. The 2025-27 Biennial Budget included $150 million to continue this program created in 2023...

Wisconsin Senator Pat Testin, is sounding off on huge fee hikes being proposed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for licenses granted to operate the states livestock marketing yards and support industries like livestock hauling.  "Bonehead" is the phrase Testin uses to describe the fee increases - some increasing by as much as 1666%. In a conversation w...

Wisconsin is wrapping up its moment in the spotlight as we come off World Dairy Expo. But the relationships are meant to last well beyond the event. In addition to being the meeting place for the global dairy industry, Expo was also a chance for U.S. companies to connect with international buyers. Daniel Griffith, liaison at the Midwest office of the U.S. Food Export Council, helps put together a...

World Dairy Expo has just concluded and aside from the beautiful bovines in the center ring, there were plenty of railbirds discussing dairies future.  Bob Bosold got some perspective from Corey Geiger with CoBank Knowledge Exchange.  Geiger says there's been a pretty incredible increase in dairy cows, and in turn, dairy production this year.  He also notes how critically important...

Rural Mutual Insurance wants to draw attention to how important mental health is for all of production agriculture. Today, we’re visiting with Josh and Liz Steiner, who, as first-generation dairy farmers in Monroe, have dealt with their fair share of business obstacles. But when a tragedy left a hole in the family, it took a great deal of strength to get to a better place. Since then, Josh a...

For Kami Dorn and her husband, taking top honors in the International Guernsey Show holds a lot of meaning. The family milks 65 registered Guernsey cows, and takes extreme pride in their herd. Kami tells us where her family's journey on The Road To Madison has led them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It requires a lot of hard work and skill to get a dairy animal ready for the showring, and Joé Lapage found himself in Madison, Wisconsin doing just that for the Blondin showstring. He has been honing his craft for 5 years, 4 of which, he has spent with Blondin. Truly an artform, he tells us what he is trying to accomplish and what a typical showday looks like. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

It takes more than clicking a button when it comes to taking pictures of cattle at World Dairy Expo. Julie Ashton is the General manager of Cowsmopoliton. She coordinates a crew of nearly 10 people who meticulously capture a picture of each animal that walks through the showring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extension Grazing Outreach Specialist Jason Cavadini says 2025 has been one of the best years for cool-season perennial grasses in the past decade, thanks to well-timed rainfall. He tells Kiley Allan that September and October are peak months for pasture growth, making it a crucial time for farmers to manage their forage carefully. A hot day to close World Dairy Expo. Eighty-eight degrees is the e...

Ben Jarboe introduces us to the Wisconsin Food Hub's Tend and Table -- a new business model to bring income to growers who lost funding through the Local Food Purchase Assistance program. The temperatures will pick back up today at World Dairy Expo, says Stu Muck. Chances of rain develop for Sunday. YODELAYHEEHOO! It's a sound you may have heard at Expo, and a celebration of Swiss heritage. Switze...

World Dairy Expo Digital Marketing Specialist, Haley Beukema, spent many hours preparing for "The Road To Madison." Each Expo theme is carefully crafted and perfected over an 18 month time period. Haley tells us about her experience putting together her first WDE showring.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Dairy Expo is the meeting place of the global dairy industry and this includes FFA students. Maverick Weber, Randy McPeek, and Lexi Kuhlmeier from the Dakota FFA chapter in Northern Illinois on what their experience at the show is like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Dairy Expo – Wisconsin’s time to shine as America’s Dairyland as the meeting place for the global dairy industry. The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection gets involved as it welcomes international delegations to the state to further relationships between dairy sectors. The work continues beyond the dairy show as DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski take...

Do you have enough replacements to continue the dairy herd and the profitability of the beef on dairy opportunity? Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist with CoBank, says this is an essential question dairy producers should be asking themselves. His latest research shows that dairy heifer inventories are expected to shrink further before starting to rebound around 2027. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...