The president of the Wisconsin FFA Association's been busy this week celebrating National FFA Week.  Jill Welke caught up with Jescey Thompson and found out how the officer team has mobilized and what they're targeting in 2025.

Improving weather beginning tomorrow.  That's the promise from Stu Muck.

Wisconsin is still working out testing details to monitor HPAI in the dairy population.  Charitee Seebecker speaks with WI Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, about what's happening in the background to facilitate the mandatory testing.  While specific details aren't available - Romanski says they do believe they'll be engaged in the national information gathering process soon.

Now that the governor's budget has been revealed, state representatives and senators are networking to start their own agendas on projects.  State Senator, Brad Pfaff from LaCrosse County says funding rural EMS services is one of his priorities.

Bryce Windecker from EverAg steps in to discuss more about the potential tariffs against Mexico and what it could mean to U.S. dairy.  He also notes that consumer spending in dining out is down sharply in the first quarter and that's slowing the movement of cheese.

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The governor released his executive budget on Tuesday night.  State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jill Underly, survived a primary on Tuesday and also reacted to some budget plans.  She tells Stephanie Hoff that she's advocating for a $60 million investment in Career and Technical Education programs also known as CTEs. Wisconsin is one of six states that doesn't have ongoing funding dedicated to these programs, which include agricultural education. The money would also fund Career and Technical Student Organizations. Jill Underly says these dollars were a priority for her in the Department of Public Instruction budget proposal. She says she sees the value in investing in ag education and other CTE programs as both of her children are members in FFA.

More bitterly cold weather on the way today, but a change is on the horizon according to Stu Muck.Auction pace is starting to pick up! 

Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke that they're picking up momentum in Wisconsin with some key sales slated before March.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Senator Howard Marklein, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee reacts to the governor's proposed budget.  Marklein says he's open to funding for farmer-led watershed projects.

Are you still shopping for groceries the same way?  During the pandemic many people opted to use delivery services or apps to secure their groceries.  Has that changed how beef moves to consumers?  Angie Horkan, marketing director with the WI Beef Council, says new research shows that e-commerce sales of beef are at a high not seen in the past 27 years.  Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock.

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Wisconsin is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of its dairy industry while addressing concerns about H5N1 testing. The state's unique dairy landscape, with more dairy farms and processors than most states, required a tailored approach to testing silos and milk supplies.

"We worked with federal and state partners to create a system that works for everyone," said Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski. "The process still provides the necessary data while being efficient for farmers and processors."

Instead of requiring new on-farm tests, Wisconsin will rely on existing lab samples collected through routine dairy testing. "Farmers won’t see new people arriving to take samples," Romanski explained. "Using established testing procedures streamlines the process and avoids unnecessary disruptions."

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Senator Patrick Testin of the 24th Senate District has been appointed the new chair of the Agriculture and Revenue Committee. Although he does not have an agriculture background, he explains that he grew up in an ag-heavy community, so he understands how important it is to the Wisconsin economy. He shares his excitement for the success of the ARIP program as well as the Producer-Led Watershed program. The Senator gives insight into what he feels are the most important issues to tackle while he is chair as well as what he is fighting for in the next budget. He also explains what he gets out of being able to talk with the young agriculturalists of Wisconsin.

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Getting the most out of what you plant is always at the top of mind for farmers, and some help comes from an unlikely source. This being fish manure. Tom Fox the Chief Development Officer at Fish Head Farms shares how their product Fish Sh!t harnesses the waste of our aquatic friends to create a microbiome around the roots. Fox explains that they use various species of tilapia that each have different bacteria in their stomachs to create this product. This product started with use in cannabis, then expanded to turf and lawn care, and is now available for all your cropping needs.

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Current high school juniors can now apply for the next Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will accept applications until March 31.

The council meets virtually each month during the school year. Members listen to presentations, engage in discussions, and connect with agriculture professionals. Current juniors who will be seniors during the 2025-2026 school year are encouraged to apply.

“I am proud that the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council will begin its sixth year this fall,” says DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “This council offers young people passionate about agriculture a chance to connect with DATCP staff as well as industry leaders.”

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We're in the beginning of the biennial session which means state lawmakers are working on a new state budget into the summer months. Sen. Howard Marklein co-chairs the Joint Finance Committee, which is in charge of reviewing and modifying the governor's state budget proposal. The committee also reviews all bills that relate to taxes, revenue, or appropriating money. Senator Marklein says he is concerned about a few cases in the court that might slow down their work. He gives us a quick update on the litigation. Senator Marklein also says he supports producer-led watershed groups and Career and Technical Education, but he is unable to commit to a dollar amount at this point.

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Yesterday was FFA Day On the Hill, and this gave students the opportunity to speak with their legislators about current agriculture issues. Logan Sorg, Lane Albers, and Sophie Sonday speak on their main topics that they brought up in the meetings. These included mental health resources for farmers, rising input costs, and spreading agriculture awareness. They also say that they enjoyed getting the chance to speak to the legislators and felt like they were heard. 

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Hill Valley Dairy, a family-run cheese company from East Troy, Wisconsin, is bringing its farm-to-table experience to Milwaukee with their newest cheese bar. Located in the Walker's Point neighborhood, the cheese bar offers a unique space for people to gather, learn, and enjoy high-quality, locally made cheeses.

Founder and cheesemaker Ron Henningfield grew up on a dairy farm and always felt a deep connection to farming. "I loved working with my family on the farm – with the animals, crops, and machinery," Henningfield said. "Cheese making became a way to stay connected to that farming heritage while growing a new business."

The idea for a cheese bar took shape when a neighboring storefront opened next to Hill Valley Dairy's Lake Geneva location. The family envisioned a welcoming space where customers could gather around cheese, much like they would at a bar. "We wanted a place where people could enjoy cheese with friends or family, or even just on their own," Henningfield explained. "The cheese bar lets them connect with their food, learn something new, and savor the experience."

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