Farmers will not be out in their fields planting for a few more months, but they are working hard now so they can hit the ground running this spring. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, farmers across the country are coming off a record crop of more than 17 billion bushels of corn in 2025, along with record highs in soybean production in eight U.S. states, including Wisconsin.

While yields were strong, other factors such as tariffs and high input prices were less encouraging for farmers. As a result, agricultural analysts predict producers will see the tightest profit margins this year, according to Wisconsin State Farmers.

The news comes as farmers are meeting with agronomists like Rio Creek Feed Mill’s Adam Barta to discuss their plans for 2026. Barta says those conversations are focused on selecting seed and fertilizer levels that will help improve their bottom line.

Barta adds that early snow cover has been good news for area fields, something farmers have not seen in recent years. Snow acts as a natural insulator, trapping heat in the soil and protecting the land from wind and erosion. Friday’s snowfall came just in time, as nighttime temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits through Thursday.