Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin has launched a new partnership with Wisconsin Sports Network, highlighting student athletes from all sports, across the state, that hail from a dairy farm family.

Vicki Janisch, Manager Farmer Communications & Programs at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin talks with Pam Jahnke about the unique balance these student athletes strike between duties on the farm, scholastic responsibilities, and performing in sports.

Wisconsin Sport Network’s Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Athlete of the Month initiative is aimed at connecting consumers to the dedicated Wisconsin Dairy Farm families who grow and raise their food today.

12 student athletes will be featured on www.wissports.com (one each month) as well as DFW and WSN social media channels.

Parents, relatives and friends are encouraged to nominate a student athlete who's participating in a WIAA-organized varsity high school sport.

WisSport.com is the go-to location for high school sport schedules, individual athlete and team statistics, state rankings, and more. With more than 35 million page views per year, WisSports.com provides a great platform for athletes, coaches, and fans to see positive dairy messaging and support for our local farmers and athletes across the state.   

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Bob Bosold talks to Jill Stall Tyler with Global Cow. The Global Cow program allows participants to do training plans with dairies from different parts of the world to learn about their programs. Farmers from the US go to other countries to learn and farmers come to the US for training plans. Different curricula are used according to the participant's age and ability.

Charitee Seebecker visits with Ron Schmaling, auctioneer who's volunteered for the past 35 years assisting the WI Fair Association with their annual convention.

There's some new faces involved with the University of Wisconsin Extension service.  Pam Jahnke introduces Chelsea Zegler, UW-Extension Ag & Water Quality Outreach Specialist.  She explains her background and what she's focused on for programming.

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Wisconsin’s craft breweries faced supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. But are things back to normal yet? Zak Koga, the Vice-President of the Wisconsin Brewers Guild and owner of Karben4 Brewing says there's going to be a lot of headwinds against the local craft beer industry throughout 2023.

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The Wisconsin Farmers Union will continue to encourage dairy farmers to work together on Federal Milk Order Reform.  Charitee Seebecker talks to Bobbi Wilson, Dairy Together Coordinator at WFU, about their progress.

Our holiday celebrations may be in the rear view mirror, but in China they're just getting ready for their big event.  China's New Year on Jan. 22nd is the number one time that Wisconsin Ginseng gets distributed across the country as gifts.  At least that was the case prior to 2019.  Stephanie Hoff talks to WI Ginseng Exec. Dir., Jackie Fett, about the roots importance in China and what obstacles still remain.

The WI Fair Association's annual convention is underway in WI Dells.  Charitee Seebecker visits with one of the keynote speakers, author - Jerry Apps.  Apps latest book, "Meet Me On The Midway" is a slice of history about Wisconsin's fairs.  Where they've been and where they're going through Apps eyes.

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There's a new leader of Wisconsin's Assembly Committee on Agriculture.  Travis Tranel, dairy producer from southwest Wisconsin will take over the reins.  He talks with Pam Jahnke about the shrinking voice of actual farmers at the state capitol, and what he sees coming down the pike as far as policy.

The 2023 Fairest of the Fairs was introduced last night at the WI Fair Association annual convention.  Charitee Seebecker captured the first conversation with Sharlene Swedlund, representing Green County, who was selected as the Fairest of the Fairs.

Cody Koster, broker analyst with EverAg, joins Pam Jahnke to talk about the weather California dairies are facing and what it's cost them in herd health and production.

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The Wisconsin Agribusiness winter meeting begins today in Madison focused on all the technology that farmers will employ and deploy to fields this spring.  Tom Bressner, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Association, highlights what's being offered.

Pam Jahnke visits with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group about the aggressive start to scheduled auctions in 2023.  Paid for by Steffes Auction Group.

Wisconsin is a powerhouse when it comes to organic agriculture, ranking right behind California.  Erin Silva, coordinator for the upcoming OGrains Conference on the UW-Madison campus, says they're seeing a big jump in the value of organic grain being channeled to organic food production.  She visits with Pam Jahnke about trends in the industry and how they try to encourage producer/growers in their transition.

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Many farms and homes across Wisconsin are adding on gadgets and technology to run things more efficiently.  Catch is - can your power grid support all that safely.  Stephanie Hoff talks to electrician Jeff Mahlkuch from Monroe about some of the troubleshooting that people in rural Wisconsin might be called on to do.

The Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic wrapped up in Madison Thursday focused on new technology and products coming to farm fields in 2023.  Carrie Mess talks to Ben Johnson from Rantizo about advancing drone technology.  They're getting bigger - doing more - and are more precise than ever.

County fair board members are back home after the 2023 WI Fair Association Convention.  Charitee Seebecker talks with Exec. Secretary and Treasurer, Jayme Butke, about the convention momentum and what she's looking forward to in 2023.

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The Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial’s donor advised fund, has granted $600,000 to community and technical colleges across the cooperative’s 144-county territory, including $50,000 to Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Southwest Tech is one of five community colleges in Wisconsin receiving these grant dollars and plans to use the funding for programming and materials for its Mobile Ag Lab, in addition to support for its livestock judging teams.

“Using our Mobile Agriculture (Ag) Lab, previously funded by Compeer, we will host on-site programming at area high schools and community events throughout the year to better inform the community about the opportunities in agriculture as well as the impact of the agricultural community,” says Agriculture Director Deb Ihm. “These hands-on activities and workshops will engage students in the latest agricultural resources and encourage area middle/high school students to visit campus and enroll in Southwest Tech’s many agricultural program choices.”

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Yes, he's the regulator, but he's also the resource. Aaron O'Rourke is the nutrient management plan coordinator with the Wisconsin DNR's CAFO program. If you're taking the 'offseason' to work on your NMP, O'Rourke has some advice to make sure your plan isn't only compliant, but that it gets approved quickly. He's also got some reminders on winter manure management rules for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. 

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The Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention took place January 8-11 with about 1,000 people in attendance. The theme this year was Keeping it Rural. Jayme Buttke, Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs says that the theme is inline with their missions.

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