MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Consumers are continuing to confront high beef prices at the store. Is the industry closer to helping resolve the imbalance?  Stephanie Hoff finds out with the help of Jeff Swenson, meat and livestock specialist, DATCP.  Swenson says high cattle prices are leading to larger swings in both directions, influenced by fluctuating harvest rates and packer demand. Despite market volatility, farmers currently hold more leverage than packers, as market-ready cattle remain at a premium. Meat packers are currently struggling with profitability, balancing high cattle costs against wholesale beef cutout values. Feed remains the number one expense for cattle feeders, while fuel and pharmaceutical costs (vaccinations) continue to rise for cow-calf producers.High pasture rents and the initial cost of livestock make it difficult for new farmers to enter the beef industry. Many dairy producers are transitioning to  eef as an exit strategy or diversifying their operations with "beef-on-dairy" crossbreeding. While dairy-beef crosses are improving in quality, 100% purebred beef animals still command a price premium. The typical 10-year cattle cycle has been elongated due to drought, resulting in a tighter supply than historically expected at this stage.

Rain is drifting across the state today, bringing with it some gusty winds.  Stu Muck says that temps should stay above average  

Sales averages on many implements and tractors remains firm.  That's the latest update from Ashley Huhn at the Steffes Group.  He is also seeing a surge in interest for fall auctions.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Meet Gabrielle Huitema from Markesan!  This UW-River Falls grad is another finalist for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position.  Huitema has focused most of her college and career experience on humane anmial handling in the slaughter process.  She wants to make sure the message gets out that many things go right in the animal handling arena.

Wisconsin farmers are almost caught up on spring planting pace.  Pam Jahnke provides the latest crop progress update.

John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam Jahnke that most areas of the U.S. are now on par with planting progress.  The unfortunate crop right now is wheat.  Heinberg also highlights news that the Trump administration intends to allow more beef imports into the U.S.  Heinberg says the U.S. is already on a record pace of accepting outside beef, but it's usually much lower quality than what's produced in the U.S.  Markets will be watching developments during the meeting of President Trump and China President, Xi Jinping

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Wisconsin farmers are definitely making up for lost time!  The latest planting progress report showed 31% of the corn was in the ground as of Sunday, 5/10.  Cooper Humphries, district sales manager with Wyffels Hybrids says that growers don't want to make mistakes in a rush to catch up.

Humphries specifically notes sidewall compaction and press wheel pressure when it comes to planter settings.  Making sure those fine points are adjusted can make a big difference in emergence and overall root health for that plant.

Humphries also notes that they've just introduced a new variety, 3299, a 103-day smart stax pro. He's already got in some of their test plots you'll want to watch.

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Despite challenging weather conditions, Wisconsin potato growers still could take to the fields!  While they may be focused on day-to-day planting chores, they can't help but wonder how their market will look by harvest.  Ben Jarboe does a deeper dive on the situation with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.  Houlihan says there's been some market disruption on the west coast that could impact Wisconsin prices.  One example he uses is potatos used for chips.  Most of those potatoes grown in the west would be bound for the international marketplace.  However, China has increased the number of chip potatoes they're producing to displace many of those acres.

Yes, another frosty start to a May morning.  Stu Muck says the chance of frost starts to lessen after today.  Rain, however, is also in the forecast by mid-week.  The question is how much.

Wisconsin does June Dairy Month like no place else.  Dan Hintz, dairy farmer from Pickett, WI shares some of the plans for June Dairy Month 2026, courtesy of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  Hintz tells Pam Jahnke that it's not just about the food, it's about the interaction and exchange of information that those breakfasts offer.  Hintz says he's proud of the diversity of dairy operations that step up to welcome consumers out to their farms.  Paid for by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

The six finalists applying to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland will make their way to Marathon County later this week.  There, they will engage in the final phase of interviews, as well as tour local businesses.  Pam Jahnke introduces us to Kelly Herness from Whitehall.  Herness grew up a dairy farm and would like to focus her presentation on the services offered through the WI Farm Center.  She says her family just recently discovered the depth of resources available there, and she believes other farms could benefit by knowing what's out there.

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Host Ben Jarboe Takes us through how fishing for him has been since the Governors Open on May 2nd. Curtis Cecchi, a guide with Fox Valley Outdoors, also joins the show to give a look at how the Northwoods fishing has been. He says now is the perfect time to head up there and hook into some trophy smallmouth. This episode is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops in Sun Prairie and Petland in Janesville.

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Between Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather patterns, shifting global policies, and volatile market prices, much of a producer's success depends on factors outside their control. Susan Brugger, an agent with Rural Mutual Insurance based in Dodgeville and Fennimore, shares her expertise on how farmers, from Wisconsin hobbyists to large-scale operators, can use insurance to protect their "blood, sweat, and tears." Brugger tells Stephanie Hoff five key ways insurance helps manage risk on the farm.

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The Agricultural Road Improvement Program, or ARIP as the Department of Transportation (DOT) likes to call it, is a program that has seen a real, big-time impact on Wisconsin's infrastructure and economy, according to John DesRivieres. He's the communication director for the Wisconsin DOT. The program is a dedicated state funding source that improves the roads used by farmers and producers to transport agricultural products and goods. Thus far, the program has funded 122 improvement projects across 56 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. The roads associated with those projects transport 23.5 million tons of ag products each year. That's valued at $13 billion. John tells Kiley Allan it's only the beginning.

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Mary Lewandowski works on her family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin. Her great-great-great-grandparents founded the farm more than a hundred years ago. Today, the farm has some fifty cows that must be fed, milked, and kept happy and healthy. Corn and alfalfa need to be planted and harvested for their feed. It’s all a lot of work for Mary, but she loves her cows, and they provide us with milk to drink, cheese and ice cream to eat, and many other delicious dairy treats.Welcome to My Farm is a fun and illuminating look at farm life in the heart of America’s Dairyland. Presenting a day in the life of a small dairy farm, the book shares fascinating facts about dairy cows and the crops that farmers grow. Readers will also meet cuddly kittens and Mary’s two collies, Buffy and Buddy! Kiley Allan visits with the author about what she hopes kids take away from the book.

Another morning of frost statewide.  Soil temperatures are becoming a worry for farmers that already have seed in the ground.  Stu Muck says the sun today should help that situation, but overnight lows will continue to bring frost.

Wisconsin’s potato industry is facing market pressure despite planting season being underway.  Ben Jarboe talks with Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the WI Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.  Global changes are forcing a reassessment of WI potatoes.  Houlihan says western U.S. potato exports have declined as countries like China and India increase competition.  Key international markets such as Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia are no longer as strong for U.S. potatoes.  Much of the western potato supply is used for French fry production, which has been heavily impacted.  U.S. processors are cutting supply needs by 30–40%, reducing demand for grower.  That trickle down effect is forcing changes in Wisconsin's potato strategy.  Consumers will likely benefit from lower potato prices at the store.

Kudos to Mary Cooper, middle school teacher from Richland Center.  She's been named the 2026 WI Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.  Plus Bob Hagenow of Deforest is receiving the Guest of Honor award from the National Dairy Shrine this September.  Hagenow's been a long time fixture in Wisconsin's dairy industry.

Consumer's pocketbooks continue to constrict with escalating energy costs.  They're making changes at the grocery store and when they dine out too.  Mike North, dairy analyst with EverAg joins Pam Jahnke to explain how those buying patterns ripple through dairy pricing.  He also notes that milk production is not backing down.  The upside of all of this is that dairy plant expansion continues in Wisconsin and across the U.S.

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We often think of our food starting at the farm and ending on our forks, but there is a massive middle ground that keeps the entire system running: the processing stage. But what happens when food processors are disrupted, particularly with labor strikes? UW-Madison Assistant Professor Jeff Hadachek with the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the Division of Extension, tells Stephanie Hoff why strikes happen, how they get resolved, and what happens in the supply chain and to your food bill when there’s a stalemate.

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The tractors are rolling across the fields and the dust is flying, marking that planting season has officially sprung. Lucas Clayton is a District Sales Manager in Southwest Wisconsin for Wyffels Hybrids. Our Wyffels Wednesday conversations always lead to good insight on the newest genetics and innovations at the company, and today is no different. Lucas tells Kiley that each year he plants test plots to see the hybrids in action.

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We talk about drivers and motorcycle operators using care when sharing the road with large farm equipment.  We also must focus attention on the farm youth that could be operating those implements.  Ben Jarboe talks with Brittany Marquard, the education and programing manager at The Food and Farm Exploration Center in Plover.  She says the with distracted drivers causing more accidents then ever before, it's important that young operators receive some training before operating.  Marquard says even for 'farm kids', there's training necessary.  Parents need to also have realistic expectations on what their kids can do.  Understanding their body size and maturity are key components.  Marquard says with all the increased horsepower on today's farm, even a small string on a hoodie can become a lethal entanglement that youth need to be aware of.

Nice day on the way - and dry!  Stu Muck says he's been seeing some seeders out, fertilizers getting spread - all thanks to drier conditions.  Temperatures will cool a bit today, and there's still a chance of frost in the forecast through Thursday mid-morning.

Auctioneering is a people to people service.  Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group joins Pam Jahnke to recap some comments from clients that have worked with the group.  Huhn says every employee in their firm makes a human connection with the client.  That's a difference maker.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Weather is causing problems for more than just Wisconsin farmers.  Alyssa Kenney, State Broadband and Digital Equity Director for Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says some broadband internet projects got held up too.  Kenney notes that Wisconsin has about 92% of their connectivity projects complete, but areas in Door County that received a lot of late snow are delayed.  Still, she believes the state is well on its way to attaining statewide connectivity by 2030.

Crop progress report had a few items of note this week.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to review.  Lots of risk for Wisconsin farmers to monitor and manage coming up over the next 10 days according to Heinberg.

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