Articles

Farm Management Articles
Research-based information and tools to help with your farm business management decisions
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Custom Rates for 2025 Wisconsin Farm Operations
This report provides estimates of typical custom rates for common farming operations in Wisconsin. These rates are based on the 2025 Wisconsin Custom Rate Survey of Wisconsin farmers, farm managers and custom operators.
Dairy Price Risk Management Tools: An Overview for Wisconsin Producers
Wisconsin dairy producers have access to several price risk management tools, which fall into two broad categories: federally subsidized insurance programs and market-based tools.
The Dairy Forward Pricing Program: Legislative History, Program Mechanics, and Authorization Status
The Dairy Forward Pricing Program is a voluntary federal risk-management tool that authorizes milk handlers regulated under Federal Milk Marketing Orders to enter forward price contracts with milk producers or their cooperative associations.
The Global Milk Market
This milk market overview serves as a primer for interpreting supply, trade, and price signals across global dairy markets. The framework provided in this article helps producers, lenders, and industry audiences interpret market conditions.
Strategic Decision-Making: A Roadmap From Basic Recordkeeping to Advanced Financial Analysis
Financial recordkeeping and management are often major stressors for farm owners, but following a basic roadmap can power profitability, planning and peace of mind.
High-Protein Whey and Cottage Cheese: A Structural Explainer
Two dairy products are having a moment, and for much the same reason: consumers want more protein from whole, recognizable foods. This article explains why whey protein costs more and cottage cheese keeps selling out. (June 2026)
How to Build a Partnership with a Custom Operator
Hiring help to do custom operations and services in the ag sector is vital for many Wisconsin farms. It takes careful consideration and planning to ensure success for everyone involved.
Practical Guide to Build a Culture of Safety on your Farm
Beyond preventing injuries, a positive safety culture can improve worker satisfaction, increase productivity, strengthen relationships and boost employee retention, making it easier to attract and keep skilled workers.
Sometimes Right Isn’t Equal, Sometimes Equal’s Not Fair
Can an equal division of farm assets ever work? The answer is almost always “No”. This article explains why and offers insightful ways to navigate estate planning.
Tariffs, Trade, and the Dairy Industry: Understanding the USTR Section 301 Investigation
On March 11, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opened a Section 301 investigation into sixteen of the country’s largest trading partners. Although dairy is not a primary target of the investigation, the response from foreign governments may still impact the industry.
Long-Term Economic Viability and Farm Succession
Economic viability of a farm business is one of the many challenges facing successful farm succession. A less-than-ideal economic situation may sustain the current owner’s lifestyle but may not work for a successor looking to build wealth for their future.
The Origins of June Dairy Month
Initially introduced as a campaign to offset production surplus and seasonal economic strains, June Dairy Month has broadened well beyond its original purpose to celebrate dairy products, producers, nutrition and more.
Livestock Gross Margin Insurance for Dairy Cattle: An Overview for Wisconsin Dairy Producers
This article describes how LGM-Dairy works, what it covers, how the premium and subsidy are structured, and the key rule changes that take effect for the 2026 and succeeding crop years.
Wisconsin Agricultural Land Prices 2025
This report provides a statewide overview of agricultural land values across Wisconsin based on a statistical analysis of actual sales and now includes the weighted average price of agricultural land sold in Wisconsin.
Reading the Milk Check: A Walkthrough of Common Line Items for Wisconsin Dairy Producers
In Wisconsin, interpretation of the milk check matters because most of the state’s milk supply is used to make manufactured dairy products, and is priced under multiple component pricing in the Upper Midwest Federal Milk Marketing Order.
Why Class III and Class IV Prices Have Diverged in Early 2026: What the NFDM Rally Means for Wisconsin Cheese Route Producers
Through the first quarter of 2026, Class III and Class IV milk prices diverged substantially. This article walks through the mechanical source of that divergence.