Cold and slick days are ahead according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. He reminds listeners to dress appropriately for the weather and stay safe while driving.

When people are walking through the grocery store they are faced with many options. Kiley Allan talks with Charlie Arnot, the CEO at the Center for Food Integrity, to give insight into why consumers will pick certain items. He says farmers should be honest about their products even when it is difficult.

The 60th Fairest of the Fairs has been crowned. Kiley Allan has a chat with Kaelie Billingsley of Kenosha County to see what her feeling was when her name was read.

Rob Shields, the Chair of the Wisconsin Certified Crop Adviser Board, gives a look at the current agriculture climate from his perspective.

Host Ben Jarboe talks with Ryan Yonkman, the Vice President of EverAg to get an update on the dairy industry. He says the signing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and the updated Dairy Margin Coverage is good news during the current low prices. 

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The final evening of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention holds anticipation, excitement and celebration. This year the crown was handed over to Kaelie Billingsley. She hails from Kenosha County Fair. She shares her reaction moments after coronation.

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Wisconsin dairy farmer Carolyn Alsteen joins the show to discuss the Born to Dairy campaign, a vibrant celebration of the grit, humor, and creativity that defines America’s Dairyland. Discover how Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is putting checkoff dollars to work, using unique personas to bridge the gap with consumers, and highlighting the authentic stories behind your favorite milk, cheese, and butter. DFW is preparing to launch 24 new farmer personas in 2026, including Carolyn's: Churned & Burned Farm Fit Farmer!

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For 25 years, Focus on Energy has helped farmers choose energy-saving equipment that lowers costs and delivers long‑term value. This year, continue improving your farm with solutions backed by decades of savings.

Increased Rebates in 2026
Focus on Energy is continuing to offer greater rewards for improving the efficiency of your facilities. Take advantage of 25%-30% higher rebates when you upgrade your lighting, heating, or cooling equipment.
Contact your Energy Advisor today to confirm which equipment is eligible and start planning your projects. Visit focusonenergy.com/EA-map.

NEW Farmer to Friend Bonus
When you tell another farmer about Focus on Energy and encourage them to schedule an on-site energy assessment, you will receive a $100 rebate. If your fellow farmer completes an energy-saving project after their assessment, they will receive a $500 bonus plus any other rebates.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Available to all agribusiness customers.
• Tune-ups and no-cost improvements are not eligible for the Farmer to Friend Bonus.
Contact your Energy Advisor with any additional questions or to get started.

To find energy advisors like Jessica Mlsna, and learn more about available rebates and programs just go to: focusonenergy.com/agribusiness or call 800.762.7077.

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The Assembly Agriculture Committee has passed three bills out of committee – one that ensures timely repair and replacement of critical farm equipment, another that improves labeling standards for fertilizers and soil additives, and finally a bill that protects farmland from ownership by foreign adversaries. Stephanie Hoff gets the details from Vice Chair Representative Clint Moses.

AB30 -- Relating to: prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state.
AB31 -- Relating to: repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty.
AB93 -- Relating to: the distribution and labeling of fertilizers and soil or plant additives produced from manure.

The committee will meet again on Jan. 14.

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In an effort to streamline Wisconsin’s agricultural resources, REAP Food Group has announced a partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union to expand the reach of the Farm Fresh Atlas. The collaboration comes as the atlas prepares for its landmark 25th-anniversary publication in 2026.

Aidan Coffin Ness, director of the Farm Fresh Atlas at REAP Food Group, tells Stephanie Hoff that the program started as a small guide for the Dane County Farmers' Market. Now, it's a statewide resource that reaches over 125,000 people annually. 

By partnering with WFU, the atlas aims to become the most robust directory in the state, helping everyone from individual families to school lunch programs source local ingredients.

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Large portions of what would normally be a Farm Bill have already been included in the "Big Beautiful Bill".  That's part of the update from Congressman Derrick VanOrden.  The western Wisconsin representative tells Ben Jarboe about several components designed to protect food safety elements, animal health, and international competition.

The last of the snow may be gone around most of Wisconsin by the end of the day today.  Stu Muck says you're already hearing the gusting winds this morning.  That will be a big part of the weather story today and tomorrow.

95% of Wisconsin's total population have made a stop at a county fair or the fairgrounds.  That's part of the economic story revealed at the WI Fair Associations annual meeting in WI Dells.  Pam Jahnke talks with Ray Alisson, chair of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, and executive director of the Indiana State Fair.  Alisson says that in Wisconsin, fairs contribute over $1.5 billion to the local and state economy.  This is part of the story that will be shared with policy makers and local businesses.  It's also helping to launch a new phase of questioning focused on the non-financial value of county fairs.

The market is still shocked after big numbers were released in Monday's World Ag Supply Demand report.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing says he heard the deflation in his clients voices yesterday.  If there is a bullish element left in the market, it's corn.  Heinberg says we need to keep grinding through this girth of corn if there's any hope of trying to reclaim higher prices without a weather event.

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With the average consumer of pork increasing in age, the National Pork Board and the National Pork Checkoff are taking a closer look at the younger consumer. Recently, they developed a new consumer campaign entitled, Taste What Pork Can Do. The campaign aims to shift a decades-old mindset that pork's only place is the centerpiece of the plate. Neal Hull, Director of Domestic Market Development at National Pork Board, tells us how they're shifting the mindset of consumers to see pork as an ingredient and a main dish.

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As the weather gets colder, people bundle up with more layers of warm clothing, livestock also needs to stay warm as well. In the winter, producers pull out things like heaters and heat lamps, but it is important to also keep a few safety tips in mind. Michael Wos is the Executive Director of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. He tells us how to best prevent barn fires.

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As the Director of Production Environmental Policy at the International Fresh Produce Association, Sarah Neagu-Reid is focused on several things. On any given day, she can be found working on a project that focuses on crop protection, organic legislation and regulations, the Farm Bill, economic assistance, and something we hear more and more about, the importance of labor.

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