MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

A new limited series follows a dairy farm family's story while highlighting mental health, family, community, and the people behind America’s food.

Teri Barr talks with Producer Sam Goldberg -- just before a premiere screening at World Dairy Expo. He shares why this is a story worth telling.

Learn more about 'Perfect Sundays' here. 

(Featured photo: Teri Barr and Producer Sam Goldberg at World Dairy Expo.)

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It appears that Wisconsin's corn crop is going to need some more warm, dry weather to get closer to the harvest.  Andy Grebner, district sales representative for Wyffels covering Dane and Green counties says that things are still wet.

Couple that wet cob condition with weak stalks, and we could be facing some additional harvest challenges.  Grebner says with the humidity this spring, coupled with the exceptionally dry weather in the summer, plants are degrading quickly.  Managing which fields need to be harvested first is something each grower should be evaluating.

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From the outside, school lunches may seem simple.  However, handling dietary guidelines and financial constraints can make that meal anything but simple.  Kiley Allan learns more about the complicated process from Caitlin Harrison, Director of Food & Nutrition Services at Elmbrook School District.  Harrison says menu planning for school meals must adhere to complex federal regulations governing calorie counts, sodium limits, fat percentages, whole grains, lean proteins, and fiber requirements. She says federal reimbursement must cover all operational costs—including labor, equipment, maintenance, and overhead—leaving only about $1.00 to $2.00 per student tray to cover actual food costs.  That means a budget really has to stretch.  Harrison says they try to stay in touch with the kids and parents on the menu.  They frequently conduct surveys asking strategic questions but it seems that students typically request favorites like chicken, pizza, and burgers, while parents ask for greater overall variety, whole grains, and diverse ethnic cuisine.

Today will be the last dry day for Wisconsin's weather.  Stu Muck says the moisture starts rolling in tonight.

Land sales are popping up again on the Steffes Group website.  Ashley Huhn tells Pam Jahnke that these transactions can take a little longer than selling a tractor because of the process and the price.

2,477 dairy animals are now housed at World Dairy Expo 2026.  Pam Jahnke visits with Lisa Behnke, communications director for the show, about the generational stories to be told.  Not just the cow generations, but the family generations caring for those cows.

Heavy harvest pressure being felt in the marketplace.  John Heinberg, market advisor for Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke for a quick update on how yields look.  Also monitoring any new business internationally that can help use this crop. He says that the wet weather is taking its toll on Iowa farm fields.  Despite the 'less than expected' results of talks with China, there's still been some interesting movement in soybeans available for immediate delivery.

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World Dairy Expo brings generations of dairy farmers, industry experts, technology innovators, and friends together in Madison, Wisconsin.

Pam Jahnke talks with Lisa Behnke, communications manager for World Dairy Expo. Learn how her return to dairy -- and to World Dairy Expo -- highlights the lasting pull of an industry that continues to bring people back, year after year. 

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Farmers don't need to go it alone when it comes to conservation projects on their farms.  Jill Welke investigates options and assistance with Amber Radaatz, part of the Discovery Farms network in the state.  Radaatz says there's always projects going on and always interest in engaging with more farmers in different areas.

Nice Monday on the way but watch out for wet weather later this week. Stu Muck gives us a quick rundown.

With the tight margins farms are facing, you can't afford to miss any savings.  Larry Lee focuses on leasing land and the going rates with Jackie McCarville, UW-Madison Extension Agent.  McCarville says it's not just about entering into these land lease agreements, it's also about being to adjust them as time goes on.  It's also a mechanism for land owners to be able to exit when necessary.

World Dairy Expo's trade show may not begin until Tuesday but the dairy cattle action has already begun.  Pam Jahnke updates us on how some Wisconsin youth have been doing already in competitive events.

The phrase "influencers" has become a familiar.  Now those influencers are being called on by animal rights groups to sound off on farm policy development in Washington, D.C.  Pam Jahnke visits with Will Coggins, research director with CEW.  Center for the Environment and Welfare has found out that animal rights groups are paying basically anyone with a presence on social media to post comments about "Save our Bacon".  This is a policy piece that was part of the current farm bill being carved.  It would protect consumers from legislation like Prop 12 in California that limits production practices.  Coggins says their research shows consumers regret having Prop 12 in place. It's driven food costs up dramatically and limited access.  Coggins says these influences generally know nothing about agriculture let alone animal agriculture, but are trying to sway policemakers direction.

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We start our morning with the Fabulous Farm Babe and USDA's Richard Fordyce. They talk about the security measures that are in place to keep farmer data secure. 

Stu Muck says lower temperatures, and a little rain are possible going into the week of World Dairy Expo.

Carey Jones is still working the land of his Richland County farm in the Township of Richwood. He's raising beef cattle, growing corn and soybeans -- while also holding down a full-time job. It's important. The farm has gone through seven generations during the last 100 years. But at times, Jones had to fight to get pieces of it back. Paid for by Compeer Financial.

Is the next major health food cranberry juice? A Wisconsin grower thinks it may be. Larry Lee talks with the Warrens family.

To round out a series filled with impactful stories, Pam Jahnke visits with Dorothy Harms. She is the founder of the Farmer Angel Network. Mental Health Week series paid for by Rural Mutual Insurance. 

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With no heat, no additives, and no sugar, the Herzinger family is hoping to catch health-consious consumers who want better juice options for their families.

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With Wisconsin's first fall case of HPAI confirmed at a turkey farm near Rice Lake, Dr. Keith Poulsen, Director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, discusses farm biosecurity with Larry Lee.  What's the meaning of "Gold Status" and what the new findings of the virus in Texas cattle might mean for Wisconsin beef and dairy producers. 

Another beautiful day on the way.  The exception might be in far western Wisconsin, and possibly on the Iowa/WI border.  Stu Muck says some stray showers could swing in there.  Otherwise a sunny, calm day on the way.

When McKenna Reichling was 17 years old, she lost her older brother, Myles, to suicide. Although she was still in high school, she realized the importance of mental health and decided it was time to take better care of her own. Since then, she says she has become, “ an advocate for my family, for myself, and for, you know, our whole community just to advocate for mental health and resilience.”

This series is presented by Rural Mutual Insurance. 

What's going on?  With the holidays just around the corner, Wisconsin cheesemakers and the dairy farms that work with them are accustomed to escalated sales.  This year - it's missing.  Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, says it's because of high diesel prices.  Reimbursement on freight shipments are meeting actual expenses, and companies are hesitant to make a move.  Wackershauser says that's the same pattern being witnessed in retail featuring of dairy products.

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If you're frustrated that there's been no movement (except down) on cheese prices, you're not alone.  Jenny Wackershauser, dairy analyst with EverAg in Platteville, says high diesel prices are creating an anomaly in the market we haven't seen!  Right now the reimbursement factor provided to cheese processors that cut/wrap product from the west coast is not covering actual transportation costs.  This has led to the holiday buyers for retail and online sources to essentially - stop.

Wackershauser says everyone in dairy country is worried about the prolonged impact this could have on dairy farm margins - which are already in trouble.  

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