Attendees from left, Wisconsin Rep. Travis Tranel, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski, and Wisconsin Sen. Howard Marklein, listen to a panel with Paul Mitchell and Steve Deller, professors of agricultural and applied economics at UW–Madison at the 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum at UW–Madison’s Union South in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Photo by Michael P. King/UW–Madison CALS
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The Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum brings together leaders from across the agricultural sector to explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Wisconsin agriculture. The event is scheduled for Jan. 27 at Union South at UW-Madison.
This year’s theme focuses on trade, which has become a major issue for U.S. agriculture. After more than 60 years of agricultural trade surpluses, the nation is now running significant trade deficits. This shift has major implications for Wisconsin, where exports of dairy products, meats, processed vegetables, and specialty crops such as cranberries, dry beans, and ginseng play a critical role in the farm economy. Raw commodities, including corn, soybeans, and dairy genetics, also remain vital export products.
At the same time, rising input costs and low crop prices have contributed to a downturn in the farm economy, with increases in farm loan distress and bankruptcy filings. In response, farm groups across the country are calling for additional federal assistance, and another ad hoc support program appears likely.
The 2026 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum will explore these issues by focusing on the Wisconsin Experience in Agriculture and Trade. Some measures show that Wisconsin seems to be bucking these national trends.
Registration will open in November: https://renk.aae.wisc.edu/2026-wisconsin-agricultural-outlook-forum/#Register
Discussion will explore:
- Is this view accurate?
- Will this trend continue?
- Which agricultural sectors are struggling in the state?
- Which are thriving?
- What factors drive these different experiences with current trade issues in Wisconsin?
