The Farmers Union has always focused on creating a revenue stream for the organization beyond member dues.  Bob Bosold talks to Dale Bednarek who runs Farmers Union Industries for 5 Midwest Farmers Unions--Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Wisconsin. 

A snow storm is on the way for Wisconsin.  Stu Muck breaks it down.

The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends and family, but that's not the case for everyone.  Ben Jarboe and Stephanie Hoff talk to Sue Springer, founder of Suicide Prevention of SW Wisconsin.  Springer says the holidays can create an elevated sense of loneliness and depression for many people.  She explains triggers that you should be aware of, and also shares resources available to try and help.

Wisconsin announced its first presumed case of HPAI in a human.  A farm worker in Barron county who had worked at a commercial poultry flock that tested positive for HPAI is recovering quickly after detection. Dr. Darlene Konkle, WDATCP State Veterinarian, says they're waiting on further test results.  There was also another case of HPAI detected in a Kenosha county.  This detection was in a back flock.

Katie Burgess from EverAg previews potential milk production figures that will be released by USDA today.  She also speaks with Pam Jahnke about cheese movement tapering off as the holidays approach, and what 2025 might look like first quarter.

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Desire for a real Christmas tree remains strong!  That's the word from Greg Hahn of Hahn's Christmas Trees in Oregon.  He's a member of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association and says the volume of trees available this year is great!  He details more about the trees, the markets and what consumers should know, with Ben Jarboe.

Snow's on the way according to Stu Muck.

35 auctions to go this week!  That's the last tally from Ashley Huhn of the Steffes Group.  He says things will slow down a little the week of Christmas, but it's back at it for calendar year 2025.  Pam Jahnke gets the details.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

$10 billion in immediate funding has been included in a stop gap bill in Washington designed to keep the government operating.  It's not what production agriculture wanted, but it's what they could secure according to House Speaker, Mike Johnson.

End of the year brings with it numbers and statistics.  Financial performance, losses and transitions.  Not all of those numbers are sad stories though.  Stephanie Hoff visits with Brian Reisinger, a farm kid turned author who sees better stories out of some of those farms that no longer operate.

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Tractors on city streets, farmers camping out in their vehicles, and powerful demonstrations—Spanish farmers are making their voices heard in an extraordinary fight for their livelihoods. These protests go beyond agriculture, raising questions about food security, government policies, and the survival of rural communities. What’s driving this movement, and why does it matter to everyone? Luis Portilla, one of the farmers involved, joins pam jahnke to explain more about what's been going on.

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With ongoing labor shortages and the continuous need to produce more with less, there are currently well over 50% of U.S. crop farmers using some type of autonomy and that number continues to rise every year. Brian Luck the state extension specialist in biological machinery systems at UW-Madison explains that all the technology needed for full autonomy is here and regulations are slowing the process. He also gives an explanation of why autonomous machines are safer than many think. UAV applicators are also becoming more prevalent and shows success in weed management. Luck says that we may see full autonomy become more common in the fields within the next few years.

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Heritage, innovation, and a passion for food production are just a few things pulling young farmers into agriculture today. For Anthony Panke, it’s all of the above—and more. As Vice President of Family Farm Defenders, he’s on a mission to keep small farms thriving while promoting food sovereignty. Though he teaches in San Francisco, Anthony’s roots run deep in his family’s Wisconsin farm. So what keeps him coming “home” to focus on farm policy? He shares his story with Pam Jahnke.

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U.S. agriculture, with enhanced implementation of conservation practices and emerging technologies, has an opportunity to more than offset its carbon footprint while increasing farmer profitability and farm resilience, according to a new report initiated by U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action (USFRA) and published today by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).

The report, “The Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative,” was authored by 26 leading independent researchers and peer reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences. The findings are based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, computer simulations, and life cycle analysis estimates.

U.S. agriculture, with enhanced implementation of conservation practices and emerging technologies, has an opportunity to more than offset its carbon footprint while increasing farmer profitability and farm resilience, according to a new report initiated by U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action (USFRA) and published today by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).

The report, “The Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative,” was authored by 26 leading independent researchers and peer reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences. The findings are based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, computer simulations, and life cycle analysis estimates.

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The holidays are filled with joy, family-time, and sweets. Specialty chocolates are always a fan favorite when Christmas comes around with fun shapes and flavors. Tracy Thompson, with Sjölinds Choclate House out of Mt. Horeb, explains why she and her husband started the business as well as how they prepare for the Christmas time. Thompson also gives a look into the chocolate making process and how they can manipulate the flavors with different beans, also being one of the few places with Wisconsin milk chocolate made with milk and butter from the state, as well as some of the supply and labor issues they are having that is similar to the agriculture industry.

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Today, internships are almost a requirement for most students aiming for a job right out of college.  Dr. Tera Montgomery, director of the school of agriculture on the UW-Platteville campus, says that applying for internships is happening earlier and earlier in the school year.  She says there's also more opportunity with remote work internships that can actually trail into the school year, and may turn into a full-time job.  Charitee Seebecker gets the details.

Snow is on the way.  That's the forecast from Stu Muck.

Angie Edge with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin puts a holiday spin on the cheeses you're looking for during this entertainment season.  Charitee Seebecker finds out about the varieties that Wisconsin's highlighting this year.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Tall Christmas trees might still be difficult to find this year.  Greg Hann from the WI Christmas Tree Growers Association says they harvested every available tree during the pandemic surge in demand, now tall trees are in shorter supply.  Hann, who also runs Hanns Christmas Tree Farm in Oregon, WI, also says supplies of all trees look good this year.

John Heinberg, broker manager with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend, joins Pam Jahnke to talk holiday cycles.  Traders exited their livestock positions in a big way Monday, and corn export momentum is shifting too.

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The tin can that acts as a vessel for vegetables may be the most expensive component of the whole process!  That's one of the insights Ben Jarboe found when speaking with Jason Culotta. He's the outgoing president of the midwest food products association.

Dense fog will slow the commute this morning according to Stu Muck, ag meteorologist.

It's tradition to give during the holiday season, but when it comes to financial giving to causes - think local.  That's the advice of volunteer Stephanie Kraemer, who helps at the Sauk County Humane Shelter.  She explains the cost of operation for the facility and where donations are channeled to Stephanie Hoff.

Darren VonRuden was re-elected as president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union during their 94th annual convention over the weekend.

Consumers really like to focus on buying local when it comes to their food, but how do you buy local in the winter, in Wisconsin?  Pam Jahnke finds out how one hyper-local, focused chef manages to keep the menu fresh.  Kyle Julius, owner of Chef At Large, says it's a collaboration of what chefs want and what farms can grow.

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There are a lot of things that attract young farmers into the industry.  Heritage, new technology, philosophy on food and food production.  All those things have kept Anthony Panke engaged.  He's the vice president of Family Farm Defenders, an organization that focuses on food sovereignty and keeping small farms viable.  Panke grew up on a farm in Fond du Lac County, but today he's teaching at a university in San Francisco.  Why does he still come "home" and focus on farm policy?  He explains to Pam Jahnke.

Weather gives us a break for the weekend, but there's moisture on the way.  Stu Muck explains.

Wisconsin's detected another case of high pathogen avian influenza in Barron County.  Dr. Darlene Konkel, WI State Veterinarian, explains how they monitor the area and update livestock owners.

Sen. Joan Ballweg is cleaning out her office at the state capitol.  Ballweg, who's been a part of the state legislature since 2004, is leaving behind quite the "to do" list for the next session.  She shares that list with Pam Jahnke.

The holiday season can be a wonderful chance to reunite with friends and family.  It can also be incredibly lonely and sad for many people.  Amber Miller, Associate State Director of Outreach at AARP of Wisconsin shares resources available to help cope with the loneliness and sadness.  All free courtesy of AARP.  Paid for by AARP of Wisconsin.

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