Making Planting Progress & Allowing More Beef Imports
Midwest farmers are capitalizing on a narrow window of dry conditions to pull planting figures back toward historical averages.
According to the latest crop progress report, Iowa has seen the most dramatic shift, with planting jumping from 40 to 72 percent in just one week. Market advisor John Heinberg of Total Farm Marketing notes that despite a soggy start to the month, advanced technology has allowed producers to move at “pedal to the metal” speeds.
Wisconsin has also seen significant gains, with soybean planting up 18 percent and corn up 21 percent. While corn and soybeans show promise, the winter wheat outlook has turned grim. Current ratings show only 28 percent of the crop is in good-to-excellent condition, the lowest level in three decades.
“I guess we’re at the stage we can say it’s pretty much a disaster at this time frame,” Heinberg says on the Mid-West Farm Report.
The struggle extends to the Northern Plains, where South Dakota producers are battling a lack of moisture. Some farmers are already considering “firing up their pivots” to save newly planted seeds as dry maps continue to cause concern.
The livestock sector faced its own volatility this week following President Trump’s announcement of an executive order aimed at lowering record-high beef prices. The order is expected to open import quota windows and lower tariffs, allowing more foreign beef to enter the U.S. market. While the cattle market initially reacted aggressively to the news, it eventually found footing.
Heinberg suggests the move may stabilize prices for lower commercial grades but likely won’t be a “silver bullet” for the entire industry.
“This might be just a blip on the radar,” Heinberg observes. “This market wants to maybe continue to grind higher here with this hole we have for beef in terms of cattle that we have available here in the United States.”
As the week progresses, traders remain focused on upcoming trade discussions with China and the potential for new export licenses for U.S. beef processing plants.
Protect Against Risk With Insurance Tools
Farming in Wisconsin remains a high-stakes gamble against unpredictable weather, shifting global policies, and volatile market prices.
To combat these uncertainties, Susan Brugger, an agent with Rural Mutual Insurance, is highlighting the importance of farm policies that offer protections far beyond standard homeowner insurance, including coverage for livestock liability and chemical drift.
Beyond physical assets, Brugger emphasizes the role of insurance in securing the future of family legacies. Whether it is protecting high-value modern machinery or sentimental antique tractors passed down through generations, specialized policies ensure that a single accident doesn’t end a family’s multi-generational story.
“Your farm policy is going to cover you either way… no matter if they’re the most expensive piece of equipment or the most sentimental piece of equipment that’s on your farm.”
As the industry shifts, with many dairy farmers transitioning to beef production, risk management tools like Dairy Revenue Protection and Livestock Risk Protection have become essential. These programs help producers lock in prices and protect their bottom line, even as input costs for feed and labor continue to rise.
“Great prices are great now, but at some point they’re going to drop. And what does that do to your operation?”
With upcoming deadlines for acreage reporting on July 15, Wisconsin producers are encouraged to review their coverage to ensure their “blood, sweat, and tears” are fully protected against the next market shift.
Roundtable Calls To Strengthen & Renew USMCA
Farmers for Free Trade continued its national USMCA Roundtable Series at BelGioioso Cheese in Green Bay. It brought together Wisconsin dairy farmers, processors, and industry leaders to make the case for strengthening and renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This was ahead of the mandatory Joint Review, which officially begins July 1.
Congressman Tony Wied (WI-8) opened the event. He called the Joint Review a high-stakes moment for Wisconsin agriculture and urging full follow-through from both Canada and Mexico. Rep. Wied also highlighted his leadership on the common cheese names issue, including his co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields (SAFETY) Act, which would establish a permanent policy directive for USDA to work with USTR to protect commonly used cheese names in international negotiations. The measure was included in the Farm Bill that passed the House of Representatives last week.
“Wisconsin farmers and business owners deserve certainty, which is why we must renew and strengthen the USMCA trade agreement,” said Congressman Wied. “While we need to do more to ensure that Canada and Mexico follow through on their commitments, hearing directly from stakeholders about the agreement’s positive impacts made it clear that renewing this deal is essential.”
Panel
The Congressman was joined by a panel of Wisconsin ag and industry leaders. The panel included Gaetano Auricchio, President of BelGioioso Cheese; Frank Alfaro, Vice President of Foodservice & Export Sales at BelGioioso Cheese; Lara Fritts, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Chamber; Amber Horn Leiterman, dairy farmer and Land O’Lakes member-owner of Hornstead Dairy; and Zac Soltvedt of G&Z Farm.
The discussion centered on the value USMCA has delivered to Wisconsin’s dairy and ag economy. It also centered on the specific areas where the agreement needs to be strengthened. Panelists pointed to Canada’s tariff rate quota system for dairy and the offloading of artificially low-priced milk solids as key enforcement gaps that must be addressed in the Joint Review. They also raised concerns about preserving U.S. access to common cheese names in Mexico, an issue gaining urgency as Mexico’s free trade agreement with the European Union advances.
Wardens Needed For 2027 Class
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for conservation warden positions statewide. The application period ends May 14. Visit Wisc.Jobs and search for job ID 20449 to apply.
The DNR expects to hire up to 14 full-time wardens for the 2027 class. Successful applicants will begin training in January 2027 or April 2027, depending on experience level.
DNR conservation wardens are law enforcement officers who serve in urban and rural communities. They enforce laws protecting fish and wildlife, the environment, state parks and forests and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
Wardens also serve as ambassadors and educators, teaching the public about natural resources, outdoor safety and environmental conservation. They help the general public and partner organizations during natural disasters and severe weather events, as they did during recent floods in Wisconsin.
The DNR seeks applicants from various backgrounds and with a passion for the outdoors. No prior law enforcement experience is required. The DNR offers comprehensive, paid training to all hires.
Applicants will need to meet minimum requirements and possess some of the desired skills and abilities, such as:
- Solid communication skills and a willingness to serve and communicate with our diverse public
- A strong passion for and interest in protecting people and natural resources
- Honesty, integrity, self-motivation, self-confidence, determination, curiosity and professionalism
- The ability to self-direct daily work activities in an efficient and accountable manner without close supervision
- Negotiation, listening and problem-solving skills
- An eagerness to learn
Learn More About The Career And Hiring Process
The warden recruitment team produced a recorded webinar detailing the hiring and training process. Another video about becoming a warden is available on the DNR’s YouTube channel.
Learn more about the career on the DNR’s Warden Recruitment webpage and reach out to DNR conservation warden Ryan Mannes at [email protected] with any questions.
Dairy Demand Shifts From Pizza To Protein
As rising fuel prices tighten household budgets, the dairy industry is witnessing a significant shift in consumer behavior. While traditional “staples” like delivery pizza are seeing a decline, high-protein dairy products are reaching record-breaking heights, according to Ever.Ag.
Mike North, a dairy analyst with Ever.Ag, joins Mid-West Farm Report to discuss how an estimated $100 monthly increase in fuel costs is forcing families to rethink their spending. This “extra $25 a week” is directly impacting the food service sector, particularly major pizza chains that have long been the backbone of cheese demand.
“That sector which we’ve leaned on so hard for cheese demand over the course of the last couple of decades has become really, really soft,” North notes, pointing to poor quarterly earnings and potential store closures within the industry.
However, the outlook is not entirely bleak. While families may be skipping the extra pizza topping, they are doubling down on protein-rich snacks at the grocery store. Consumption of cottage cheese has surged 12 percent year-over-year, leading several processing plants to retool their operations to keep up with the trend.
On the production side, the industry remains in an expansion phase despite the economic headwinds. North highlighted that over 20 new dairy plants are under construction across the U.S. this year, with a similar number slated for next year.
“Demand for protein doesn’t seem to be satiated at this point,” North says. “Dairy is in a really good spot that way just because of how quickly we can move protein into the supply chain.”
Looking ahead, analysts are keeping a close eye on drought conditions in the Plains and Southwest. If dry weather persists, it could further impact beef prices and milk production, potentially tightening a market that is currently bolstered by record-level nonfat dry milk prices.
Dry Skies Speed Wisconsin Fieldwork
Wisconsin had 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending May 10, 2026, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. A week with little rainfall allowed the pace of field work to accelerate. Cold nights, however, have slowed corn emergence and left some growers concerned for frost damage to fruits and berries.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 8 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus.
Corn planting was 31 percent complete compared to the 5-year average of 33 percent. Oat planting was 47 percent complete compared to the average of 57 percent. Oats were 23 percent emerged. Soybean planting was 28 percent complete compared to the average of 27 percent. Spring tillage was 61 percent complete matching the average.
Pasture and range condition was 54 percent good to excellent, up 4 percentage points from last week.
All hay condition was 71 percent good to excellent. Winter wheat condition was 59 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.
WFU Foundation Debuts Campaign To Support Rural Communities
The Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation has launched a new public education initiative, “Wisconsin Futures,” featuring a new website and a statewide billboard campaign aimed at helping people better understand how policy decisions shape everyday life in rural communities and across Wisconsin.
The initiative is designed as an educational resource that connects the dots between policy and real-world impacts. The WisconsinFutures.com website serves as a central hub, bringing together issue explainers, data, and real stories from Wisconsinites to show how decisions made at the state and federal level are showing up in farm income, household budgets, and local services. It also gives people a place to share their own experiences and add to a growing picture of how these challenges are playing out across the state.
Wisconsin Futures is launching at a moment when many farmers and rural communities are stretched thin. Prices are up, markets are uncertain, and it’s getting harder to make the numbers work. Those same pressures are showing up in households across Wisconsin, from higher utility bills to concerns about healthcare access.
“The goal here is to help people see how these decisions play out in real life,” said WFU Foundation President Darin Von Ruden. “When folks can connect what’s happening in their own operation or community back to policy, it puts us in a better position to speak up and work toward a future that actually works for rural Wisconsin.”
DFW Board Nominations Announced
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The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced eleven nominees for nine open seats in the 2026 Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) Board of Directors election. Nine districts are up for election, which began on May 1, 2026.
Nominees:
The following candidates, listed by district, have been certified as eligible for election:
District 1 Nominee: Evan Hillan, Ladysmith
Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn counties
District 4 Nominees: Sara Bahgat-Eggert, Clayton; Andrew Christenson, Amery
Barron and Polk counties
District 7 Nominee: David Bangart, Greenwood
Clark County
District 10 Nominee: Tasha Schleis, Kewaunee
Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties
District 13 Nominee: Jonathon Hallock, Mondovi
Buffalo, Pepin and Pierce counties
District 16 Nominee: Janet Clark, Eldorado
Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette counties
District 19 Nominee: Mark Crave, Watertown
Columbia and Dodge counties
District 22 Nominee: Patrick R. Schroeder, Lancaster
Grant County
District 25 Nominees: Kristen Metcalf, Milton; Chaz Self, East Troy
Green, Rock and Walworth counties
DATCP confirmed all certified candidates met the administrative rule marketing order eligibility criteria of being an active dairy producer or representative of an affected producer, selling milk into commercial channels, and residing within their respective districts. DATCP also certified each candidate’s nomination form, which included five signatures from active dairy producers within the district as well as completion of a “Declaration of Eligibility” form.
DATCP is mailing ballots to dairy producers who reside within the nine affected districts. Producers who have not received a ballot by May 15, 2026, can request one by contacting DATCP Market Orders staff at [email protected]. Completed ballots must be signed and returned by email or postmarked to DATCP Market Orders Program, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708, on or before May 22, 2026. Elected producers will serve three-year terms July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
ARIP Is Paving The Way For Farmer Success
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially opened the next phase of the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP) grants. This put $70 million on the table for local municipalities to repair crumbling rural infrastructure.
The program, which specifically targets routes used to transport agricultural and forestry products, has already seen success. To date, 122 projects have been awarded across 56 counties, supporting the movement of $13 billion in goods annually. John DesRivieres, the Communications Director for the DOT, emphasized that the goal is to fix routes that currently hinder the state’s producers.
“Maybe there’s a posted weight limit for at least one month in that prior year on those roads, or the road currently does not allow for the transport of a full load of agricultural goods,” DesRivieres said. “That’s where if you’re a producer, if you’re a farmer, you should be reaching out to your local town officials and saying, hey, we’ve got a need here, we should consider an ARIP application.”
While 13 projects from the initial funding cycle are already complete, the DOT is looking to build on that momentum. Officials are urging farmers and local leaders to collaborate quickly to identify roads in need of structural upgrades before the next funding cutoff.
“The key thing is producers and farmers talking to their local officials, identifying those needs, and then moving forward to submit that project,” DesRivieres noted.
Local governments have until June 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. to submit their applications. Detailed instructions and video tutorials for the application process are available on the official Wisconsin DOT website.
Light Lambs See Steady Trends
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Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
Lambs weighing 40-60 pounds were steady to weak last week with 60–120-pound lambs selling strong. The lamb cutout value was about $1 higher last week, posted at $572.38 last Friday. Harvest numbers are slowly declining. Last week’s estimated federally inspected total was 33,000 sheep and lambs, 1,000 fewer than the previous week and 2,000 fewer than a year ago. Wisconsin’s 2025 lamb harvest was 10,800 head, down from 11,900 in 2024. The average live weight in the state averaged 107 pounds, significantly lower than the 118 pounds seen in 2024 and lower than the national average of 117 pounds.
