What Mid-West Farm Report heard from the 2026 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum this week is that farmers are looking at the third straight year of negative margins for staple crops like corn and soybeans. Government aid is coming down the pipeline, but economists are critical that it is solely a temporary fix. 

Paul Mitchell, Director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute at UW-Madison, tells Stephanie Hoff the financial pressure has some farm families reaching a breaking point. What are the indicators? Farm bankruptcies are on the rise.

According to federal court data, Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings reached 293 nationally by Sep. 30, 2025, already surging past the 213 filings recorded for the entirety of 2024. Wisconsin alone saw filings jump from two at the end of 2024 to 13 by the fall of 2025, Mitchell says.

What Mid-West Farm Report heard from the 2026 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum this week is that farmers are looking at the third straight year of negative margins for staple crops like corn and soybeans. Government aid is coming down the pipeline, but economists are critical that it is solely a temporary fix.&nbsp;
Paul Mitchell, Director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute at UW-Madison, tells Stephanie Hoff the financial pressure has some farm families reaching a breaking point. What are the indicators? Farm bankruptcies are on the rise.
According to federal court data, Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings reached 293 nationally by Sep. 30, 2025, already surging past the 213 filings recorded for the entirety of 2024. Wisconsin alone saw filings jump from two at the end of 2024 to 13 by the fall of 2025, Mitchell says.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Negative Margins Persist Into 2026

Cottage Foods are a lesser-known industry in the state of Wisconsin, but they are facing issues with policy that could put some out of business. Jobea Murray, the president of the Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association board, gives a look into a bill that could decimate the industry.

Cottage Foods are a lesser-known industry in the state of Wisconsin, but they are facing issues with policy that could put some out of business. Jobea Murray, the president of the Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association board, gives a look into a bill that could decimate the industry.

Cottage Foods Industry Faces Harmful Bill

Cottage Foods are a lesser-known industry in the state of Wisconsin, but they are facing issues with policy that could put some out of business. Ben Jarboe talks with Jobea Murray, the president of the Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association board, to see what these in-home bakers are concerned about.

Some relief from the frigid cold looks to be coming soon as ag meteorologist Stu Muck says within the week the state will return to some "normalcy".

The cold temperatures are not keeping producers from going to winter conferences and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers has theirs coming up next week. Stephanie Hoff chats with Tamas Houlihan, the executive director of the group, to gain insight on their upcoming conference and the current state of the industry.

EverAg's Bryce Windecker joins the show to give a look at the last week of dairy market happenings. He says that on Monday the industry saw a "head fake" in milk prices before plummeting again.

Cottage Foods are a lesser-known industry in the state of Wisconsin, but they are facing issues with policy that could put some out of business. Ben Jarboe talks with Jobea Murray, the president of the Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association board, to see what these in-home bakers are concerned about.
Some relief from the frigid cold looks to be coming soon as ag meteorologist Stu Muck says within the week the state will return to some "normalcy".
The cold temperatures are not keeping producers from going to winter conferences and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers has theirs coming up next week. Stephanie Hoff chats with Tamas Houlihan, the executive director of the group, to gain insight on their upcoming conference and the current state of the industry.
EverAg's Bryce Windecker joins the show to give a look at the last week of dairy market happenings. He says that on Monday the industry saw a "head fake" in milk prices before plummeting again.

Cottage Foods Industry Voices Concerns & Early Week Head Fake In Dairy- Windecker

As Wisconsin's potato industry prepares for the annual Grower Education Conference & Industry Show next week, a shadow of oversupply looms over the national market. While Wisconsin farmers have managed to maintain steadier prices than their Western counterparts, record yields and excess processing stocks have had a downward effect on open-market values nationwide. WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan shares the details with Stephanie Hoff.

As Wisconsin's potato industry prepares for the annual Grower Education Conference &amp; Industry Show next week, a shadow of oversupply looms over the national market. While Wisconsin farmers have managed to maintain steadier prices than their Western counterparts, record yields and excess processing stocks have had a downward effect on open-market values nationwide. WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan shares the details with Stephanie Hoff.

Negative Margins Persist Into 2026

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