Despite a recent dip in net farm income, U.S. farmland values remain historically high, according to a specialty asset management expert. While a sharp run-up in prices occurred in 2021 and 2022, the market is currently in a plateau pattern, with strong demand supporting high-quality acreage.

Cole Nickerson, Area Sales Manager for Farmers National Company, noted the contradiction between the struggling agricultural economy and resilient land prices. 

"We've kind of seen a leveling off the last few years as net farm income has fallen a little bit," Nickerson tells Mid-West Farm Report. "But we haven't seen a big pullback in land values."

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Commodity marketing is a real struggle for Wisconsin farmers.  What could improve?  How should growers plan?  Ben Jarboe visits with UW-Madison Ag Economist, Paul Mitchell, about all the elements that influence prices from government programs to international tariffs.  Mitchell is currently organizing the 2026 UW Ag Outlook Forum that will take a closer look at various segments of Wisconsin agriculture January 27th.

Freezing fog is a part of the early morning commute this morning.  Stu Muck says that subzero temps will stick around through most of this week.  He does note that there's another chance for snow rolling in by this Friday.

While Wisconsin farmers are struggling with commodity marketing, they may be overlooking one of the geographic benefits they have. Water.  Not just water for the crops to grow, but water to help market those commodities.  Stephanie Hoff talks to Max Fischer, chief economist and treasurer of the National Grain and Feed Association.  He says the investments that have been made in the Port of Milwaukee are a great example of Wisconsin getting ahead.  Fischer says the St. Lawrence Seaway is an untapped resource for moving grain into the international market chain inexpensively.

Wisconsin's hemp industry could disappear within a year because of federal language that snuck into the compromise bill that reopened the government.  WI Senator Pat Testin has authored legislation that would essentially allow the state's hemp farmers and manufacturers to continue to operate.  It's similar to what other states have adopted to shun the federal attempt to kill the industry.

The cattle market took a dip on the news that a Nebraska meat processing facility would be closing.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend joins Pam Jahnke to discuss.  Heinberg sasy the Nebraska plant had been a target for closure before, but now it plays into a bigger story of where cattle are, and how much they weigh.  He notes that cattle in the north are heavier than those in the south, and they're being discounted because of it.  With cheap corn he says many growers have opted to add a few pounds on these high value animals.

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As Wisconsin fields enter dormancy, it's time to analyze the past season's pest pressures to inform planting and management strategies for 2026. While 2025 was largely an "uneventful insect year," one pest, armyworm, caused significant problems during its second generational flight.

Emily Bick, an entomologist and Extension Specialist for field and forage crops, notes that the initial true armyworm flight from the south was minor because crops were not yet established. However, the subsequent generation found ideal conditions.

“We were really hit with a massive, massive true armyworm population,” she tells Mid-West Farm Report.

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At the end of the week the state's largest farm organization gathers together in WI Dells for their 106th convention.  Jill Welke visits with the president of the WI Farm Bureau Federation as they approach the big event.  Brad Olsen says it's not just about policy development, but also community.  He says the fellowship elements at the convention can be just what membership needs to boost their energy and attitude.

More snow is on the way for Wisconsin beginning again this afternoon.  Stu Muck breaks out the regional movement the next storm will make.  No improvement in temperatures for the rest of this week.

Tomorrow is "Giving Tuesday" and many non-profits will be hoping for your financial attention.  Pam Jahnke visits with Ellen Schutt, executive director of the WI FFA Foundation.  Schutt says that they're hoping for $10,000 in donations on Tuesday - with the first $2,500 being matched by Compeer Financial.  Schutt says the money will be used in support of agriculture education in everything from blue jacket scholarships to travel budgets.

Those FFA programs depend on agriculture educators in the classroom.  That's a commodity that's tough to come by.  Kiley Allan visits with an agriculture educator at the Melrose-Mindoro school district that found a "work around" leading her to the classroom.  Maddie Dobbs, obtained her teaching license in Ag Education in Wisconsin with only a two-year Associate's degree in Agribusiness, Science and Technology. This was possible due to a "Professional Experience" based technical and vocational education subjects license. The license process involved submitting a simple application and providing verification of industry hours from a previous employer.

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Despite a record harvest creating logistical pressure, the U.S. transportation system is currently keeping up with demand, thanks in part to recent investments and a temporary slowdown in export activity.

Max Fisher, chief economist and treasurer for the National Grain & Feed Association, explains that global trade shifts provided a buffer.

The current trade environment, particularly reduced grain movement to major export hubs in the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf of Mexico, has eased congestion.

“The trade barriers have meant that we have a little excess capacity, especially in our rail system right now,” Fisher tells Mid-West Farm Report. “So there's just not as much grain moving through it. For the time being, because of a little slack in the amount of grain demand for rail, the service has just been excellent.”

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Despite the tight margins, there are still people that want to enter production agriculture!  Tay Fadtke with Marbleseed says it may not be large-scale farming at first, but it's a beginning.  Marbleseed has created a Farmer-to-Farmer exchange program that allows those starters to be mentored by someone who's been in production agriculture for a while.  Fadtke tells Pam Jahnke that it's a year-long program that addresses not only farming practices but also financing guidance.

Wisconsin's got some powerful storms headed its way starting tonight.  Stu Muck says that some areas of the state could pick up between 6-10 inches of new snow, making travel hazardous at best.

No doubt many people are thinking about possible end-of-the-year donations.  Kiley Allan helps educate potential donors about what to know when it comes to donating to animal rescue groups.  Names and titles can be deceiving.  She chats with Hannah Thompson-Weeman, executive director of the Animal Ag Alliance about some of the posers asking for your money, and the real agenda they're promoting.

Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Rural Banking Policy, with the American Bankers Association says there's been policy developments in Washington, D.C. that might encourage ag lenders to engage a little more aggressively on farm real estate loans.  Stephanie Hoff talks with him about the ACRE Act which provides a 25% tax break to banks on the interest income they earn from new farm real estate loans.

• The primary goal is for banks to pass the savings on to farmers by offering lower interest rates on qualified loans.
• The ACRE Act is now permanent law after being included in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," marking a significant legislative win for the ABA, which has worked on versions of this for three decades.

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We’re digging into what farmers can expect for the 2026 crop year with Koch Agronomic Services. As growers across the country continue to scrutinize their bottom lines and return on investment, Director of Agronomy Tim Laatsch is here to break down the trends and challenges ahead. This includes how input costs and availability are shaping up for the coming season, and why smart nutrient management and crop protection remain essential.

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Brady Spangenberg, marketing director for crop protection at BASF, says zero percent financing is back! This aims to support farmers, ease stress, and enable early-season planning. He says 11 percent of BASF revenue is reinvested in research and development, constantly improving the products BASF offers. And don't forget about the Real Results Yield Challenge! This is a financial and agronomic opportunity to help farmers reach their highest yield potential.

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We’re exploring a breakthrough changing the way farmers think about phosphorus. RhizoSorb® by Phospholutions is raising the bar for phosphorus efficiency, helping growers maintain or even increase yields while cutting applied phosphate by up to 50 percent. Byron Bredael, head of product, has the details, including how growers can save $2 to $3 per acre by improving nutrient utilization and reducing phosphorus loss to waterways.

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In the United States, 80 percent of banks have agriculture in their portfolio. And these banks were successful in getting a bill through Congress to give them some tax relief in order to lower costs for their rural customers. Ed Elfmann is the senior vice president of agriculture and rural banking policy for the American Bankers Association. He tells us about how the ACRE Act made it to the finish line. This is a 25 percent tax break for banks on the interest on agricultural real-estate loans, allowing banks to lower interest rates for borrowers. 

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