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Farmer says more aid would be appreciated, but solutions needed

A southwestern Wisconsin producer says the struggling ag economy is impacting morale in farm country.

“Farmers are not really upbeat right now.”

Mike Berget, who raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and hogs in Lafayette and Green Counties, says soaring input costs and low commodity prices make planning for the 2027 crop a somber experience.

“We’re going back down below the cost of production again, and it looks like fall fuel prices are going to be up, just nothing to really look forward to out there as far as inputs.”  He says, “Fertilizer is going to stay high, and it’s just not a real good time out here right now.”

He tells Brownfield that talks of another round of farmer financial assistance in Congress are appreciated, but…

“I wish they would get something done with these inputs that we wouldn’t have to be doing that and also they would just maybe get E15 passed and we could get a farm bill done.”  He says, “It’s just kind of disappointing.”

Berget says farmers need policies that boost sustainable demand both globally and domestically for their crops.

AUDIO: Mike Berget – Wisconsin farmer