Wisconsin Farmers Faced Rising Costs, Stagnant Prices
Owners of small agricultural operations are managing input costs that have increased 5 to 10 fold over the last 35 years.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Agriculture
Live Poll
Should the federal government increase support for farmers to help manage rising operational costs?
Agricultural producers in Wisconsin are navigating a prolonged period of economic strain as input expenses continue to climb against low market returns. The current crisis has prompted policy discussions among state and national leaders regarding future federal support.
Why it matters
Operators are struggling with a persistent margin squeeze caused by elevated diesel fuel and fertilizer prices combined with crop valuations that have not risen in two decades. This imbalance limits working capital and forces difficult decisions regarding seasonal production strategies.
Farmer input costs have surged 5 to 10 fold, while current crop prices are holding at levels consistent with 20 years ago. These difficult economic conditions have persisted for approximately 35 years.
The players
Clark Reimer
Owner of Reimer Farms in Kewaunee County who has managed agricultural operations since 1991.
Tammy Baldwin
A U.S. Senator serving Wisconsin with oversight responsibilities regarding federal agricultural policy and trade legislation.
David Crowley
A Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin gubernatorial election occurring in November 2026.
Tom Tiffany
A candidate involved in the November 2026 election cycle with a platform impacting state-level economic policy.
The details
Farmers rely on debt financing to bridge the widening gap between the high cost of essential supplies like diesel and fertilizer and stagnant revenue from crop sales. To maintain solvency, many are now evaluating options such as reducing fertilizer applications in the upcoming crop year. These operational adjustments are necessary to mitigate risk in a market where trade tariffs and supply chain costs remain elevated.
Timeline
1991: Clark Reimer began his career in farming.
2018-2020: The industry experienced an especially difficult period of economic conditions.
September 22, 2026: Senator Tammy Baldwin and gubernatorial candidate David Crowley toured a Kewaunee County farm.
November 2026: Wisconsin holds its gubernatorial election.
Market Landscape
The push for a new federal farm bill follows a 35-year trend of intensifying financial pressure on independent producers. This legislative effort marks a recurring attempt to address systemic margin compression caused by long-term commodity price stagnation.
Owners should review their seasonal input budgets and evaluate potential fertilizer reduction strategies as margins continue to compress. Consult with your financial advisor to stress-test your debt-to-income ratios against a future of prolonged price volatility.
The takeaway
The sustained mismatch between input costs and crop revenue requires a shift toward more conservative resource allocation. Operators should closely monitor upcoming federal legislative updates regarding the next farm bill to determine if new subsidy or insurance programs will impact their specific production model.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the industry, see our Agriculture section.
Live Poll
Should the federal government increase support for farmers to help manage rising operational costs?
