Division of Extension
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 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.
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.
Financial recordkeeping and management are often major stressors for farm owners, but following a basic roadmap can power profitability, planning and peace of mind.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This article explains what an FMMO is, the two core mechanisms that define the system, how minimum formula prices are built, how orders are amended, and who is and is not covered.
This article summarizes the rules and regulatory requirements governing how commodity price assumptions are established and used in farm operating plans and cash-flow budgets for FSA Farm Loan Programs.
This article provides a structured, evidence-based assessment of the regulatory, legal, public health, and market context surrounding raw (unpasteurized) cow’s milk in the United States.
