Independent dairy nutritionist Jake Guenzler and Stephanie Hoff explore how dairy producers can navigate variable forage quality and a plummeting butter fat market by refocusing on nutritional fundamentals. Jake, with ProAGtive, discusses the shift toward protein production, the impact of 10 years of genomic advancement on modern herds, and why high-quality forage remains the ultimate driver of milk production. He also reveals why 'carryover' corn silage is the secret weapon for maintaining performance during seasonal transitions.

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Although the Super Bowl isn't a national holiday, the it's widely viewed across America. Whether you tune in to watch the game, the commercials or the halftime show, chicken wings may just be the perfect game-time snack. In fact, it's expected that Americans will eat 1.48 billion chicken wings during the big game. Tom Super, Senior Vice President of Communications at the National Chicken Council walks us through the history of the chicken wing.

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Pictured: Potato pizza puffs. Photo by: Potatoes USA

The humble potato is getting a makeover as culinary experts work to move the vegetable from a simple side dish to the center of the plate. 

At the "Spud Lab" in Denver, RJ Harvey, Culinary Director for Potatoes USA, is leading a movement to transform how major food brands, universities, and even the medical community view the potato.

He tells Stephanie Hoff that the Spud Lab has identified key functional benefits of potatoes that go beyond flavor. In baked goods, potatoes are proven to improve moisture retention and shelf life, while in savory applications, they serve as "allergen solves." For example, potatoes provide creaminess without dairy or thicken soups without flour (gluten).

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National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler and Stephanie Hoff discuss the legislative hurdles facing the pork industry in 2026. The conversation highlights the struggle to find a federal solution to California's Proposition 12 and the widening political divide stalling a new Farm Bill. Stateler also provides an outlook on North American trade relations and the upcoming USMCA renegotiations.

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Winter in Wisconsin means we're closing homes and buildings up to protect against the elements.  While necessary, it can create unique air quality issues in homes, offices and farm buildings.  Ben Jarboe finds out about some air quality work being done by Kate Mccoy, the manager for occupational health and safety surveillance program with the Department of Health and Human Services.  McCoy and Jennifer Camponechi, the program manager for environmental public health tracking, are focused on making sure being indoors isn't a detriment to people's health - and that includes farmers and their employees.

A little snow might be part of your morning commute today, but it's tonight you need to monitor.  Stu Muck says that there's a chance of freezing rain and snow overnight.

Potatoes are answering a lot of questions for main restaurant chains, and entertaining consumers!  Stephanie Hoff made the trip to Stevens Point for the annual convention of the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.  She got quite the education from RJ Harvey, culinary chef with Potatoes USA.  Harvey works with major restaurant chains to educate them on how potatoes add value to menus and reduce labor needs.  He's also working with university campuses, including UW-Madison, on changing up their potato offerings to students.

Is the market already anticipating a consumption downturn in dairy after Super Bowl Sunday?  Pam Jahnke finds out with Katie Burgess, dairy analyst with EverAg.  Burgess says that trend is expected but the recent wintery weather in the southeast has brought a surge of demand.  She's also keeping an eye on nonfat dry milk.  That market's hitting prices not seen since 2022!  It may influence the price Wisconsin dairy operators see.

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The back and forth conversations continue at the state capitol, and Wisconsin Senator, Pat Testin, is toggling from one room to the other testifying.

Testin spoke with Pam Jahnke about the tempo of conversations, and specifically focused in on his mission to protect the state's hemp industry, as well as thoroughly vetting proposals around lab grown meat.

Opponents of protecting the state's hemp industry site public health and pediatric safety as major reasons for stricter oversight of products.  Testin says many elements being proposed are "heavy handed", especially for an industry already established.

Lab grown meat labeling, on the other hand, is something that Testin says needs more labeling.  He says if consumers prefer to eat something grown in a petri dish versus a pasture, they have that right - but, that all consumers should be informed of what they're buying or consuming.

The negotiations continue in a feverish pitch at the state house.

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Commodity groups are still on edge.  They're grasping what tariffs mean globally and they're trying to find ways around the system to keep sales going.  U.S. corn has remained competitive.  That's the good news from Jed Bower, president of the National Corn Growers Association.  Jill Welke does a deeper dive into global challenges as well as domestic obstacles that look to stall out corn growers profit potential.

Improving temperatures help us enjoy our Wednesday, but Stu Muck says there's a slight chance of snow tomorrow morning.

Sales activity remains robust for the Steffes Auction Group.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke about some new acreage that's coming up for auction in western Wisconsin this month.  He also highlights the online information people can find to help guide sales on their website.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

The American Farm Bureau Federation's reminding consumers that very little of the money they spend on food this weekend(or any weekend) for the Super Bowl ends up back at the farm gate.  Faith Parum, economist for AFBF says only 15.9 cents of every food dollar makes it back to a grower.

Super Bowl weekend is big business for the food industry though.  One staple that's found its way to the top of the menu - chicken wings.  Kiley Allan finds out how the chicken industry prepares for their big day, and what the origin of wings even is!  She speaks with  Tom Super, Senior Vice President of Communications, National Chicken Council.

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Weather is one of the biggest question marks for farmers in the growing season, often wondering if there is going to be a drought or if their crop is going to get drowned out. Alex Harrington, the Chief Meteorologist at Channel 3, says he believes we can expect a wetter than average spring. He also gives a look at the severe weather outlook and how hurricanes in the gulf can impact the midwestern weather.

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Farmers know that even when the temperatures drop, work still needs to get done. Many of these jobs will take place inside, and that creates a new level of danger. Kate Mccoy, the manager for occupational health and safety surveillance program with DHS, and Jennifer Camponechi, the program manager for environmental public health tracking program with DHS, share air quality concerns for indoor jobs. These include carbon monoxide poisoning and mixing chemicals.

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Potatoes are at the heart of Wisconsin agriculture with the state being the third largest producer in the country. 78th Alice In Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, shares some fun facts about these spuds and a recipe for Loaded Pizza Baked Potatoes.

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