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Articles

Fixed vs Variable Costs of Farming

Fixed vs Variable Costs of Farming

Fixed costs are those expenses that occur regardless if we grow a crop or not. Variable costs are those cash expenses needed to grow, harvest and store a crop

Using the Crop Enterprise Budget Tool

Using the Crop Enterprise Budget Tool

The Crop Enterprise Budget Tool spreadsheet developed by the Division of Extension at UW-Madison provides a straightforward method to arrive at a cost of production for crops on a per acre and per bushel basis.

Terminating a farmland lease or tenancy

Terminating a farmland lease or tenancy

It is important to consider how and when a farmland lease may end.  State law provides default rules for termination in the event that a landlord and tenant fail to discuss and document this topic.

Negotiating the Farmland Lease

Negotiating the Farmland Lease

Like any contract, a lease is a package deal. Landlords and tenants should carefully consider all of the terms offered by the other party before making a decision. 

Is my Wisconsin farm lease enforceable?

Is my Wisconsin farm lease enforceable?

Under Wisconsin law, a “lease” means an agreement, whether oral or written, for transfer of possession of real property, or both real and personal property, for a definite period of time. These leases are also a type of contract, so principles of contract law apply too.

March 2024 Dairy Market Update: Markets waiting on demand

March 2024 Dairy Market Update: Markets waiting on demand

The All Milk price and Class III milk prices have shown a modest start in the early months of 2024. Prices have not reached the lows of 2023; the most noteworthy development has been the robustness of Class IV prices, bolstered by strong butter prices.

Wisconsin Farming: Insights from the 2022 Census of Agriculture

Wisconsin Farming: Insights from the 2022 Census of Agriculture

Every five years the USDA undertakes a detailed inventory of farming operations across the country. The most recent 2022 Census of Agriculture provides a snapshot of the nation’s farming economy, including demographics, production practices, land use, and economic trends.

Setting Risk Management Goals for Your Farm Business

Setting Risk Management Goals for Your Farm Business

There are four strategies that can be pursued to help manage farm business risks.

Counselors have a place in agriculture

Counselors have a place in agriculture

Understanding what mental health is, the stigma around it, and the benefits of counseling and other resources available can help you decide if it is right for you.

Evaluating a Farmer’s Risk Tolerance

Evaluating a Farmer’s Risk Tolerance

Understanding how a farmer’s own risk preferences and that of others affect the risk management decisions made for the farm business is important.

Measuring Price Risk for Your Farm Business

Measuring Price Risk for Your Farm Business

Let’s look at the concept of price risk with an example of the average monthly corn prices in the United States.

Identifying the components and sources of risk on the farm

Identifying the components and sources of risk on the farm

The greater the uncertainty, the greater the risk.
The more likely a negative factor will occur, the greater the risk potential.

Creating Career Paths For Your Farm Employees

Creating Career Paths For Your Farm Employees

Creating career paths, or “career pathing” is the process of aligning opportunities for employee career growth with organizational talent priorities.

Finding the right people

Finding the right people

Effective recruiting plans should be a critical part of your business model as you seek out key talent to help your business grow.

Finding the formula for success

Finding the formula for success

Understanding the formula for success can provide a road map to achieving our purpose which brings us peace of mind and that desired sense of contentedness.

A Brief History of Crop Insurance

A Brief History of Crop Insurance

The Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) provides insurance coverage for the production of most U.S. agricultural commodities against financial losses caused by adverse growing and market conditions.

A Brief History of Grain Markets

A Brief History of Grain Markets

Grain markets have been noted in history as early as during the Roman Empire.

Permits, licenses, and labels

Permits, licenses, and labels

Take the next step by connecting with a licensing and permitting organization such as: Additional Resources

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Division of Extension

Connecting people with the University of Wisconsin

  • Agriculture
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Agriculture at Extension

  • Agriculture Water Quality
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  • Dairy
  • Horticulture
  • Livestock
  • Discovery Farms
  • Master Gardener

Other UW-Madison Resources

  • Department of Animal and Dairy Science
  • Department of Ag and Applied Econ
  • Renk Business Institute

Questions?

Contact us at farms@extension.wisc.edu

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