Farm Show – 97 Seven Country WGLR – The Tri-States Best Variety of Country – Lancaster, Dubuque, Galena, Platteville

Class III Milk price for October announced

Courtney Chaffee — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:28:33 +0000

The Class III Milk Price for the month of October was announced at $15.16 per hundredweight. That is 88 cents lower from the previous month and $1.75 below a year ago.

The Class III average so far in 2026 is $15.87 per cwt compared to $18.01 for all of 2025.

Exports Key to Dairy’s Next Chapter

Courtney Chaffee — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:37:33 +0000

For dairy producers, strong export demand has helped support the market in recent years, but questions remain about how long that momentum can continue. This is as milk supply grows and uncertainty surrounds trade relationships. Will Babler of Pinion Risk Management says the industry is balancing opportunity with risk.

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As production capacity expands, finding buyers beyond beyond U.S. borders will be key to maintain value in the marketplace

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Those overseas sales often attract attention, but the largest dairy customers may not be the countries making the most headlines

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Despite trade tension, Babler remains optimist about one key export destination for U.S. dairy products

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Will Babler, principal with Pinion Risk Management, says trade developments will remain an important factor for dairy markets moving forward. Meanwhile, producers need to continue to position their farms for changing market conditions.

EPA Administrator Zeldin & U.S. Rep. Van Orden visit Tranel Farms in SW Wisconsin

Courtney Chaffee — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:51:48 +0000

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden visited the Tranel Family Farm outside of Cuba City Tuesday afternoon. Courtney Chaffee has this story (full story):

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The Tranel family took EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden on a tour of their 550-cow organic dairy operation. The tour provided an opportunity for Wisconsin Rep. Travis Trnael to discuss critical agricultural issues impacting SW Wisconsin:

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When asked how helpful, farmer roundtables have been to the process of creating legislation Congressman Derrick Van Orden referenced the recent right-to-repair legislation:

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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin answering the same question:

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Speaking with Travis Tranel after the tour, he said he hopes that the tour helped Zeldin and Van Orden realize how busy farmers are and that they should be focusing on making farmers’ lives easier and less challenging.

Platteville recognizing Century Family Farms during bicentennial next year

Courtney Chaffee — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:20:39 +0000

As part of Platteville’s plans to mark its bicentennial next year, the city seeks to recognize century family farms within the Platteville School District. Anyone who owns a century family farm within district boundaries, or knows of such a farm, is asked to contact Platteville Common Council Member Kathy Kopp.

2026 State Fair Livestock Auction

Courtney Chaffee — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:30:52 +0000

WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Aug. 12, 2026 – The 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction generated $405,036 to support Wisconsin State Fair junior livestock exhibitors, continuing a tradition of investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders. Hosted by the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation in partnership with Wisconsin State Fair, the annual event brought together buyers, businesses, agricultural organizations and community supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of Wisconsin youth and invest in their future. In 2026, the Foundation awarded $57,000 in scholarships to Wisconsin State Fair junior exhibitors and launched its new Youth Impact Grant program, providing financial assistance to youth participating in beef, swine, sheep and goat projects. The Foundation also contributed $30,000 to support Wisconsin State Fair Junior Exhibitor Showmanship, Knowledge Master Showman and Reserve Champion awards. “The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction represents so much more than a sale of champion animals. It reflects the countless hours of work, dedication and passion Wisconsin’s junior exhibitors invest in their projects and the community’s commitment to their success,” said Jenny Gehl, president of the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation. “The generosity of our buyers, sponsors and supporters helps young people pursue their educational goals, develop leadership skills and continue their involvement in Wisconsin agriculture.” During the evening, attendees further demonstrated their commitment to Wisconsin youth, raising a combined $7,786 through the paddle raise and silent auction to support and advance the Foundation’s mission.

Congratulations to all of the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Exhibitors who sold their animals in the 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction.

Below is a list of participants from Southwest Wisconsin

Grand Champion Barrow (Crossbred) exhibited by Brayden Bowers of Belmont, Winning bid of $19,000 by Molson Coors and Beer Capitol Distributing
Grand Champion Market Lamb (Crossbred) exhibited by Brayden Bowers of Belmont, Winning bid of $14,000 by Meijer
Reserve Grand Champion Barrow (Crossbred) exhibited by Lincoln Russell of Benton, Winning bid of $13,500 by Lafayette Buyers Group
Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb (Hampshire) exhibited by Landen Leibfried of Platteville, Winning bid of $9,000 by Meijer
Champion Oxford Lamb exhibited by Maicy Norgard of Darlington, Winning bid of $11,500 by Conserv FS
Champion Hereford Steer exhibited by Atley Potterton of Mineral Point, Winning bid of $5,500 by Saz’s Hospitality
Champion Poland China Barrow exhibited by Rita Achenbach of Eastman, Winning bid of $10,000 by Crawford Country’s Big Red
Champion Shorthorn Steer exhibited by Maggie Kershner of Lone Rock, Winning bid of $16,000 by Kenosha Beef International / Birchwood Foods Krautland- Ron & Karla Schurman
Champion Simmental High % exhibited by Riley Sennhenn of Mineral Point, Winning bid of $8,000 by Meijer, Cargill
Champion Hereford Barrow exhibited by Jace Mcreynolds of Mineral Point, Winning bid of $11,000 by Meijer

Interview with Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, new owner of White Hill Cheese in Shullsburg

Courtney Chaffee — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:30:46 +0000

A Seattle, Washington based company is the new owner of White Hill Cheese in Shullsburg. Kurt Dammeier and his management team from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese arrived in Shullsburg on Wednesday to discuss the company’s history and future plans.

https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2387/files/2026/07/voicer-on-kurt-shullsburg-final.mp3

For more information go to beechershandmadecheese.com

White Hill Cheese plant sold to Beecher’s Handmade cheese; interview with Shullsburg mayor

Courtney Chaffee — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:47:51 +0000

The White Hill Cheese manufacturing plant in the Village of Shullsburg has been sold to a Seattle, Washington based company. The community was devastated economically on Monday this week when Prairie Farms Dairy announced the closure of the plants in the village, including White Hill Cheese. Approximately 100 jobs would be lost with the announcement. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese plans to reopen the White Hills Cheese facility in early November retaining 35-40 jobs. Farm Director Bob Middendorf chatted with Shullsburg Mayor Dan Morrisey about the changes taking place.

https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2387/files/2026/07/voicer-on-beecher-cheese-7-23.mp3

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture says Iowa is ready to protect against screwworm

Courtney Chaffee — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:28:18 +0000

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the state “stands ready” to protect livestock and farmers from screwworm. Naig’s statement came in a press release issued Friday, two days after the U.S. Department confirmed the nation’s first case of New World Screw Worm was detected in Texas. Screw Worm is a parasitic fly that infests and feeds on warm-blooded animals, including humans. A sample from a Texas calf was tested and confirmed to be infected by the USDA’s Veterinary Field Services Laboratories in Ames. The parasite poses no risk to food safety.

Rep. Tranel Celebrates June Dairy Month at Crawford County Dairy Breakfast

Courtney Chaffee — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:23:03 +0000

State Representative Travis Tranel celebrated June Dairy Month at the 44th annual Crawford County Dairy Breakfast on Saturday. As a dairy farm family themselves, the Tranel’s joined residents at Payne Rock Acres to support Wisconsin agriculture. Rep. Tranel, the Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair, praised local producers:

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The Crawford County Dairy Breakfast was hosted by the Crawford County Dairy Promoters and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

DATCP selects 79th Alice in Dairyland

Courtney Chaffee — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:53:03 +0000

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has selected a new Alice in Dairyland. Anastasia Poull of Port Washington has been selected as Wisconsin’s 79th Alice in Dairyland. Poull earned three bachelor’s degrees in animal science, agricultural leadership, and agricultural science, with two minors in agricultural business and communication studies. Poull was announced at the 79th Alice in Dairyland Finals hosted by Marathon County. She will begin her term as the 79th Alice in Dairyland on July 6. She succeeds the 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow of Poynette, who will continue her current term until the transition in July.