Extension

UW Extension State Specialist: Cropping Systems Economics

My Extension outreach program is focused broadly on crop economics for all Wisconsin farmers, including both commodity crops and specialty crops, from small diversified organic vegetable growers to large-scale commercial farms. Topics include agricultural policy, crop insurance, sustainability, precision agriculture, and pest and resistance management. I annually organize and host numerous outreach programs. I’ve been given multiple outreach awards, usually as parts of teams.

Resources for Making ARC and PLC Decisions for 2025 (Jan 2025)

Forage Options for Prevented Plant Acres in Wisconsin in 2024 (June 2024)

Prevented Plant Example Calculations for Wisconsin in 2024 (June 2024)

Ways to Reduce Borrowing on Your Farm (Dec 2023)

Balancing Sustainably and Innovation in Wisconsin Agriculture (Nov 2023)

Marketing Assistance Loans – A Tool for Managing Interest Costs: Blog Post Video (Oct 2023)

Estimating 2023 Custom Rates for Wisconsin Farm Operations (Updated Sep 2023)

Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) and Crop Insurance (June 2023)

2020 Wisconsin Custom Rate Guide

Recent Work

Forage Options for Prevented Plant Acres in Wisconsin in 2024 (with Jeff Hadachek and Kevin Jarek) June 2024 Blog Post
Prevented Plant Example Calculations for Wisconsin in 2024 (with Jeff Hadachek) June 2024 Blog Post
Marketing Assistance Loans – A Tool for Managing Interest Costs: Blog Post Video (Oct 2023)
Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) and Crop Insurance, June 20, 2023 Blog Post
Estimating 2023 Custom Rates for Wisconsin Farm Operations, April 14, 2023 pdf
Crop Insurance Changes for 2023 (with Katie Wantoch), Feb 2023 Blog Post
Overview of Organic Agriculture: Production, Markets and Sales (AAE 367 lecture Feb 14&16, 2023) pdf
Profit Margins Along the Fresh Potato Supply Chain, WPVGA-UWEX Annual Meeting (Stevens Point, Feb 7, 2023) pdf
Fresh Market Vegetable Pricing and Future Trends, WI Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Conf (Wisconsin Dells, Jan 30, 2023) pdf
Farm Income Situation and Outlook, 2023 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum (Madison, Jan 24, 2023) page
Farm Policy: What’s coming from DC? WABA Agribusiness Classic (Madison, Jan 12, 2023) pdf
Farming in an Age of Inflation, 2022 Badger Crops and Soils Update Meeting (Green Bay & La Crosse, Dec 13 & 15, 2022) pdf
New Farm Bill and Crop Insurance Updates, Processing Crops Conf (Wisconsin Dells, Nov 29, 2022) pdf
Situation and Outlook for the Wisconsin Farm Economy. WI DFI Division of Banking, Bank Examiner Conf (Madison, Nov 15, 2022) pdf
What about Economics? Unpacking Conservation Agriculture, Pheasants Forever &UWEX (Dodgeville, Nov 14, 2022) pdf

In The News

Spectrum 1 News, Jeff Dahdah, “Coronavirus outbreak hurts agriculture markets” (March, 2020)
Kenosha News, Leigh Presley, “2020 agriculture outlook amid COVID-19 outbreak” (March, 2020)
Food and Beverage Wisconsin, Brooke Bechen, The County Today, “Food processing, entrepreneurship opportunities predicted in 2020” (February, 2020)
WisBusiness “MON AM News: Dairy expert predicts U.S. milk prices will rise in 2020; Wisconsin hemp industry ‘way behind’ other states” (February, 2020)
Wisconsin Public Radio, Hope Kirwan, “Federal Farm Aid Boosts Personal Income Growth In Wisconsin, Other Farm States” (February, 2020)
Food and Beverage Wisconsin, Brooke Bechen, The County Today “Food processing, entrepreneurship opportunities predicted in 2020” (February, 2020)
Interview with Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – “‘Struggling to tread water’: Dairy farmers are caught in an economic system with no winning formula” (January, 2020)
Interview with Jeff Dahdah, Spectrum News 1 Madison – “Wisconsin leads nation in green bean production” (December, 2019)
Interview with Hope Kirwin, Wisconsin Public Radio – “Wisconsin Farmers Receiving Smaller Portion Of Dollars Spent On Thanksgiving” (November, 2019)
Interview with Sierra Gillespie, NBC 14 News – “Propane shortage raising concerns for Wisconsin farmers” (November, 2019)
Interview with Erica Dynes, Reedsburg Times-Press – “IN DEPTH: Area farms continue to struggle” (November, 2019)
Interview with Brooke Bechen, Country Today, “Weather, policy and disconnect: struggles are widespread in farm country” (October, 2019)
Panel participation, reported on by Jeff Dahdah, Spectrum News 1 Madison – “Agriculture panel tackles big issues facing Wisconsin farmers” (October, 2019)
Interview with Miranda Suarez, WPR – “Experts Say There’s No Farm Crisis But Plenty Of Challenges” (October, 2019)
Interview with Hope Kirwin, Wisconsin Public Radio – “With Harvest Underway, Wisconsin Farmers Continue To Face Uncertain Corn, Soybean Markets” (October, 2019)
Quote in MarketWatch U.S. farmers, battered by low commodity prices and trade war, brace for things to get worse (September, 2019)
Interview with Wisconsin Public Radio – “Wisconsin Corn Farmers Facing More Market Uncertainty After USDA Planting Report” (August, 2019)
Interview with Hope Kirwin, Wisconsin Public Radio on the Market Facilitation Program – “Southeastern Wisconsin Counties Come Out On Top For 2019 Tariff Aid Payments” (August, 2019)

Commodity Programs and the Farm Bill

Farm Bill Choices: What Should Wisconsin Crop Farmers Do? (Fact Sheet Jan 2015)
Farm Bill Choices: What Should Crop Farmers Do? PLC or ARC (Nov 2014)
Updating Base Acres and Payment Yields (Fact Sheet August 2014)
Insuring Forage Crops for SURE (Sept 2010)
Don’t Forget About SURE (Sept 2010)
Thinking about ACRE for 2009 (July 2009)
Overview of ACRE for 2009 (July 2009)
USDA-FSA ACRE Calculator Spreadsheet: Wisconsin Template (July 2009)
Farm Bill: Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program (June 2008)
Farm Bill: Horticulture and Organic Agriculture (June 2008)
Farm Bill: What it Means for Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers (Badger Common’Tater Aug 2008)
Farm Bill Update: Status of Wisconsin Agriculture (Jan 2008)

PowerPoint Presentations

Risk Management and the 2014 Farm Bill (March 2014)
Crop Insurance and the 2013(?) Farm Bill (Oct 2013)
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Farm Bill (Aug 2013)
Wisconsin Ag Policy Update for 2013 (Feb 2013)
Farm Bill Update: What Can Wisconsin Expect? (Sep 2012)
Integrating ACRE, SURE and Crop Insurance (Jan 2010)
Understanding Farm Programs: Crop Insurance, ACRE and SURE (Jan 2009)
ACRE, SURE, and the New Farm Bill Crop Insurance Requirements (Sep 2008)
The Farm Bill: Current Status and New Revenue Support Programs (Jan 2008)
Economic Analysis of Supplemental Deductible Coverage (Oct 2007)

Crop Insurance

Bulletins

Can I Use Corn or Soybeans as a Cover Crop on Prevented Plant Acres? (June 2019)
Late and Prevented Planting and Replant Provisions: 2019 Update (May 2019)
Crop Insurance: Late and Prevented Planting and Replant (May 2019)
Crop Insurance: Late and Prevented Planting and Replant (May 2017)
Wet Wisconsin: Moldy Corn and Crop Insurance (Sept 2016)
Cover Crops and Crop Insurance 2016 (May 2016)
Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) for Winter Wheat (Fact Sheet Aug 2014)
Prevented Planting Options (June 2013)
Late and Prevented Planting Crop Insurance Coverage (May 2013)
Cover Crops for Forage: Crop Insurance Rules Change (Jan 2013)
Drought 2012: Moldy Corn and Crop Insurance (Sep 2012)
Drought 2012: Crop Insurance Rule Changes for Emergency Forage (Aug 2012)
Drought 2012: Emergency Forage and Crop Insurance (Aug 2012)
Drought 2012: Forward Contracts and Crop Insurance (July 2012)
Drought and Crop Insurance: Patience Please (July 2012)
Crop Insurance Implications of Planting Crops Early (March 2012)
Insuring Grapes with a NAP Policy in Wisconsin (March 2012)
Hints for Using Crop Insurance in 2012 (Feb 2012)
Pasture Rangeland and Forage (PRF) Crop Insurance (Sep 2011)
Hints for Using Crop Insurance in 2011 (Feb 2011)
Cover Crops and Crop Insurance (Sept 2010)
Insuring Forage Crops for SURE (Sept 2010)
Hints for Using Crop Insurance in 2009 (Dec 2008)
Practical Recommendations for Filing Late & Prevented Planting or Replant Claims (June 2008)
Hints for Using Crop Insurance in 2008 (Jan 2008)
Is GRP a Good Deal for My Corn? (Jan 2008)
Tables of Expected Net Returns to GRP in 2008 (Excel Spreadsheet Jan 2008)
Crop Insurance, Flooding, and Drought: Alternative Uses of Insured Crops (Aug 2007)
Frost Damage and Crop Insurance Replant Provisions (May 2007)
Late and Prevented Planting and Replant Provisions (June 2008)
Drought and Alternative Uses of Insured Crops: Can I Chop My Insured Corn? (July 2005)
Livestock Risk Protection (Nov 2004)
Soybean Rust and Crop Insurance (2005)
Soybean Rust Management Activities Documentation Template (2005)
Overview of Federal Crop Insurance in Wisconsin (Nov 2005)

PowerPoint Presentations

Crop Insurance Options for Wisconsin Grape Growers (Jan 2013)
Wisconsin Crop Insurance Update for 2013 (Jan 2013)
Cover Crops for Forage: Crop Insurance Rules Change (Jan 2013)
Update on Federal Crop Insurance Now and in the Future (Oct 2012)
ACRE, SURE and Crop Insurance Update (Jan 2011)
Insuring Forage for SURE Eligibility and Cover Crops: Iowa and Wisconsin (Nov 2010)
Integrating ACRE, SURE and Crop Insurance (Jan 2010)
How Should Extension Economists Talk about Crop Insurance with Farmers? (May 2009)
Understanding Farm Programs: Crop Insurance, ACRE and SURE (Jan 2009)
Managing Risk in the Produce Market: Where Crop Insurance Fits (Mar 2008)
Crop Insurance Overview and Hints (Feb 2008)
Crop Insurance Update for ANRE Team Grains Teleconference (Nov 2007)
Crop Insurance and Processing Vegetables (Mar 2007)
Crop Insurance: Expanded Hints and APH Analysis in Juneau and Adams Counties (Jan 2007)
Crop Insurance: Helpful Hints and GRP Analysis in Juneau, Adams, and Marquette Counties (Aug 2006)
Value of AGR-Lite for Wisconsin Growers (Feb 2007)
Federal Crop Insurance in Wisconsin (Nov 2005)
Livestock Risk Protection (Feb 2005)

Federal Disaster Assistance

Insuring Forage Crops for SURE (Sept 2010)
Don’t Forget About SURE (Sept 2010)
Integrating ACRE, SURE and Crop Insurance (Jan 2010)
Federal Disaster Assistance for Farmers Affected by the Recent Floods (Sept 2010)

Crop Economics

What’s Driving Ag and Food Prices? (Sep 2011)
Corn Seeding Densities and Transgenic Traits: Economics and Farmer Behavior (Jan 2010)
Input Prices: Long Term Trends and Short Run Realities (Feb 2009)
Input Prices: Where Are They Now and Where Are They Going? (Nov 2008)
The New Economics of Grain Production (Jan 2008)
The New Economics of Crop Production: Crop Consultants Perspective (Mar 2008)
Growing Potatoes in the New BioEconomy (Feb 2008)
How to Continue to Grow Quality Potatoes with Skyrocketing Costs? (Feb 2007)

Potatoes and Vegetables

Documents

Presentations

Measuring Ag Sustainability: An Update for Vegetable Growers (Feb 2013)
Economic Impact of Processing Vegetables in Wisconsin (Mar 2011)
Areawide Suppression of European Corn Borer (Mar 2011)
The Effect of New Health Legislation on Farms (Feb 2011)
Cost of Vegetable Production and Risk Management (Feb 2011)
Risk Management and Processing Crops (Mar 2009)
Input Prices: Long Term Trends and Short Run Realities (Feb 2009)
Veggie Compass: Which Way Do You Want To Grow? (Jan 2009)
Input Prices: Where Are They Now and Where Are They Going? (Nov 2008)
Growing Potatoes in the New BioEconomy (Feb 2008)
Potato Demand in an Increasingly Organic World (2008)
Crop Insurance and Processing Vegetables (Mar 2007)
How to Continue to Grow Quality Potatoes with Skyrocketing Costs? (Feb 2007)

Insect and Weed Management

Documents

PowerPoint Presentations

Pest Resistance and New Realities for Spray Applications (July 2013)
Areawide Suppression of European Corn Borer (Mar 2011)
Economics of Roundup Ready Crops: Farmer Benefits & Impact of Weed Resistance (Jan 2010)
How Prices and Cost Affect IPM (Jan 2008)
Hierarchical Modeling and the Economics of Risk in IPM (Mar 2008)
Costs and Benefits of Controlling Corn Rootworm: The USA Experience (April 2007)
Stacks of Bills vs. Stacks of Genes: Economics of Planting Transgenic Seeds (Feb 2007)
What have Transgenic Crops Meant for U.S. Farmers? An Economic Perspective (Nov 2006)
Adverse Selection, Moral Hazard and Grower Compliance with Bt Corn Refuge (Nov 2006)
Economics and Risk of Sweet Corn IPM (April 2006)
Expected Net Benefit and Break-Even Probability for Corn Borer Bt Corn in Wisconsin (Jan 2006)
Risk and the Value of Additional Insecticide Applications for ECB Control in Sweet Corn (Dec 2005)
Economics of Control Options for the Western Corn Rootworm Soybean Variant (Dec 2004)

Downloadable Spreadsheet Decision Aids

Cost of Production Materials

Documentation and Bulletins

Fast and Simple Method to Estimate Typical Machinery Costs (2005)
Estimate Your Cost of POTATO Production (2006)
CRANBERRY Boom Sprayer Cost Estimate (2005)
Strawberry Enterprise Budgeting Resources (May 2007)

Presentations

Wisconsin IRRIGATED CORN Budget (2006)
Strawberry Enterprise Budgeting (May 2007)
CRANBERRY Boom Sprayer Cost Estimate (2005)

Downloadable Spreadsheets

Wisconsin IRRIGATED CORN Budget (2014)
Corn-Soybeans-Small Grains Detailed Cost of Production Estimator (2006)
Wisconsin IRRIGATED CORN Budget (2006)
IRRIGATION Cost Estimator for Wisconsin (2006)
Fast and Simple Method to Estimate Typical Machinery Costs (2005)
Estimate Your Cost of POTATO Production (2005)

Miscellaneous

Communicating Controversial Science to the Public: Overview of GM Crops and Neonicotinoids (ANRE Conference Oct 2014)
Flat Objective Problem and Risk, or Why Farmers Seem to Over Use Inputs (UW N Summit March 2014)
Meta-Economics of Cover Crops (Mar 2014)
What Farmers Think About Climate Change (Pecha Kachu from WI Sustinabity Forum Feb 2014)
Economic Impact of Specialty Crop Production and Processing in Wisconsin (Dec 2010)
Prescribed Burner Liability Insurance: Actuarial Analysis of Survey Data (Dec 2006)
- Mail Survey Data (Download in Excel)
- Telephone Survey Data (Download in Excel)
- Premium Calculator (Download in Excel)
Virginia Addendum to the Prescribed Burner Liability Insurance Actuarial Analysis (May 2007)

Dairy Innovation Hub Priority Areas