December 16, 2025  

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in Wisconsin in Dodge County dairy herd

Source: DATCP

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in Dodge County.

This is the first detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Wisconsin.

Dairy Groups, Lawmakers Celebrate as ‘Whole Milk for Healthy Kids’ Act Clears Congress

Source: RFD TV

Legislation to bring back whole milk as an option in public school cafeterias is on President Trump’s desk. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act cleared the House by a voice vote. The bipartisan push to bring whole milk back to public school cafeterias has officially cleared Congress, sending the bill to President Trump’s desk for final consideration.

Catch up on today's special edition Coffee Chat, State of Cheese

Source: Voice of Milk

On today's special edition Coffee Chat, entitled "State of Cheese", we took a closer look at what 2026 may hold for dairy markets and how farmers can prepare for the year ahead. We had two experts from Bozic LLC lead the discussion: Dr. Marin Bozic, founder and CEO, and Brian Walton, an economist and research specialist.

U.S. ICE appears to back off farm raids as Trump allows more foreign ag workers

Source: Wisconsin Farmer

In a tacit admission that U.S. food production requires foreign labor, the Trump administration is making it easier for farmers to employ guest workers from other countries.

Trump Administration Tags $700 Million for Regenerative Farming

Source: Successful Farming

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $700 million to support regenerative agriculture as part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last Wednesday.

Klobuchar, Rounds, Colleagues urge USDA to prioritize HPAI poultry vaccine strategy

Source: US Agriculture Senate

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Rounds (R-SD) led 21 of their colleagues in urging Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to move forward with the USDA’s avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry while encouraging a comprehensive, science-based approach.

Wisconsin Republicans, Democrats strategizing State Senate campaigns

Source: Spectrum News 1

As Democrats try and win back control of the State Senate next year, Republicans are focused on maintaining the chamber. Of the state senate’s 33 seats, 18 are held by Republicans and 15 by Democrats. Andrew Whitley with the State Senate Democratic Committee said he thinks Democrats are poised to gain control of the Senate in November.

Upcoming Events

• January 14-15, 2026 | 2026 Dairy Strong
• February 4, 2026 | Dairy Day at the Capitol

Thank you to our DBA Sponsors

Prestigious sponsors:

Elite sponsors:

AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Agropur

BMO

GLC Minerals

Grande

Greenstone Farm Credit Services

Nicolet Bank

Pivot Bio

Syngenta

VAS

VitaPlus

Platinum sponsors:
American Foods Group
Bank First
Bayland Buildings, Inc.
CP Feeds LLC
Focus on Energy
Forest Construction Co, Inc.
Houston Engineering, Inc.
Michael Best
Quality Liquid Feeds, Inc.
Ruder Ware
Vita Plus & Cornette Farm Supply
Walbec Group
Zoetis

Gold sponsors:
ABS Global, Inc.
AgSource
Alliant Energy
Calf-Tel by Hampel Animal Care
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese LLC
Ever.Ag
Family Insurance Center
GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
J & D Manufacturing, Inc.
McLanahan Corporation
MSA Professional Services, Inc.
ProAGtive Dairy Nutrition
Quality Roasting, Inc.
RP Nutrients
Syngenta
Standard Dairy Consultants LLC
TechMix LLC
Vaxxinova
Wisconsin Custom Operators, Inc.