Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | Union South, UW-Madison
About
About
The Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum brings together leaders from across the agricultural sector to explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Wisconsin agriculture.
Theme
Wisconsin agriculture faces an increasingly complex landscape shaped by emerging threats from the impact of extreme weather events to animal disease. The resilience of Wisconsin’s agricultural producers depends on their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions and to ensure the health and well-being of their livestock. Producers, industry, and communities are confronting growing concerns related to extreme weather events and disease outbreaks that can result in both economic losses and social disruption.
The 2027 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum, convened through a partnership between UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural & Life Sciences (CALS) and Division of Extension, will bring together agricultural industry leaders and policymakers to examine the policy implications of extreme weather events, the strategic responses to animal disease, and their potential impact on Wisconsin agriculture.
The morning session will include situation updates on the state of rural Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s farm economy, followed by commodity outlooks for grains, livestock and meat, and dairy. The afternoon session will include two in-depth panels. The first panel will cover the policy implications of extreme weather events for Wisconsin producers. The second panel will cover the management of animal disease outbreaks in Wisconsin.
Register
Register
| Registration Type | Before 12/23/2026 | After 12/23/2026 |
| In person | $75 | $100 |
Thank you to our generous sponsors for reducing the cost of this event for all attendees!
We are offering a livestream of the event on our You Tube page. There is no cost for the livestream and no need to register.
Registration will open in November
Who Should Attend and Why
Who Should Attend the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum?
While everyone is welcome, the majority of past attendees have been:
- Agribusiness Professionals
- Policy Makers and Government Officials
- Researchers, Faculty, and Students
- Financial and Risk Management Professionals
- Advocacy and Nonprofit Organizations
- Farmers and Producers
- Media and Communications Professionals
- Community and Industry Leaders
Why Should you Attend the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum?
The Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum features UW researchers, economists, and industry experts to share insights on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Wisconsin agriculture and agribusiness.
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Timely Insights: Learn from leading experts on the latest economic, policy, and market trends affecting Wisconsin agriculture.
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Relevant Topics: Sessions are shaped with input from state leadership, legislators, and academics to ensure discussions reflect the most pressing issues for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities.
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Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, policymakers, and industry leaders who are helping to define the future of Wisconsin agriculture.
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The Wisconsin Experience: Gain perspectives rooted in the state’s unique agricultural strengths, challenges, and innovations.
Whether you are a producer, agribusiness professional, student, or policymaker, the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum equips you with knowledge and connections to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape.
"It is the best ag-focused meeting you can attend all year!"
2025 Agricultural Outlook Forum attendee
Agenda
Extreme Weather and Animal Disease:
Preparing for Threats to Wisconsin Agriculture
Agricultural Situation and Outlook
9:00-9:30 am – Registration & Morning Coffee
9:30-9:35 am – Welcome
9:45–10:45 am – Rural Development & Farm Economy
10:30-11:00 am – Networking Break
11:00 am–12:00 pm – Commodity Outlook
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Agriculture and Extreme Weather
2:15-2:45 pm – Networking Break
2:45-4:00 pm – Animal Disease
4:00-5:00 pm – Reception
Venue & Parking
Union South – Varsity Hall – 2nd Floor
1308 W Dayton St., Madison, WI
Driving Directions
Parking
For added convenience, you may purchase a parking pass for $20 during registration to secure parking for the day of the Forum.
Visitor parking will likely be available in Lot 17 (1525 Engineering Drive: Map) and Lot 20 (1390 University Avenue: Map), both within 2–3 blocks of Union South on the day of the Forum.
We recommend checking the Visitor Parking Availability.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is comprised of Wisconsin State leadership, members of the State Legislature, and academics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Together, they help guide the planning of the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum by identifying timely issues, shaping the conference theme, and recommending speakers who bring valuable perspectives.
Their involvement ensures the Forum remains a relevant and impactful event for Wisconsin’s agricultural and agribusiness community, while also helping to elevate the visibility of issues that matter most to farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities across the state.
We are grateful for the Advisory Committee’s support and commitment to making the Forum a trusted space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration in Wisconsin agriculture.
- Jeremy Beach, Associate Director, Renk Agribusiness Institute
- Jeff Hadachek, Assistant Professor, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
- Paul Mitchell, Department Chair and Professor, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
- Sen. Brad Pfaff, 32nd Senate District, Wisconsin Senate
- Randy Romanski, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
- Matt Ruark, Professor and Extension Soil Scientist, UW-Madison Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences
- Guanming Shi, Renk Agribusiness Chair and Professor, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
- Andrew Stevens, Associate Professor, UW-Madison Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
- Rep. Travis Tranel, 49th Assembly District, Wisconsin State Assembly
- Trisha Wagner, Farm Management Outreach Program Manager, UW-Extension Farm Management
- Kelly T. Wilfert, Farm Law Statewide Outreach Specialist, UW-Extension Farm Management
Sponsor
Sponsoring the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to Wisconsin agriculture while gaining visibility with producers, agribusiness leaders, policymakers, researchers, and organizations that support the agricultural community.
Benefits of Sponsorship:
- Visibility & Recognition – Showcase your organization to a diverse audience of agricultural stakeholders from across Wisconsin.
- Engagement & Connections – Build relationships business leaders, legislators, and academics who are shaping the future of agriculture.
- Thought Leadership – Align your brand with timely discussions on the economic, policy, and market forces impacting Wisconsin agriculture.
- Support for the Community – Help make possible a forum that brings together voices from across the agricultural landscape to share insights, exchange ideas, and strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural economy.
Your sponsorship ensures that the Forum remains accessible, relevant, and impactful—while highlighting your organization’s role as a trusted partner in advancing Wisconsin agriculture.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Please contact Megan Webster at mawebster@wisc.edu or 608-890-1048.
