Farming and Federal shutdowns: How temporary loss of some services is hitting Wisconsin farms

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The federal government is shut down, which means the U.S Department of Agriculture is experiencing a temporary loss of some services for some farmers.

This comes as farmers are heading into the harvest season and making decisions for next year.

“We are combining our soybeans and our corn - we are learning what the yields are, but this is also the time we stating making decisions for next year’s growing season,” said Manager of Jazzy Jersey’s Farm Sydney Flick.

Flick said that right now, no immediate changes are affecting her farm in Lodi, but she knows some services are already being halted.

Agents from the Farm Service Agency, part of USDA, have been furloughed as a result of the shutdown.

Agricultural Economist Leonard Polzin explained that this can be incredibly impactful to farmers who are trying to get a loan for next years season.

“So with Farm Service Agency not being open and available to facilitate those new loan applications, you know, that on that absolute farm level can get more challenging,” said Polzin.

Polzin also mentioned that the shutdown comes as USDA market reports are supposed to be completed.

“As we look at even as soon as next week, we’re supposed to have some market reports coming out, specifically the WASDE report that does, especially this time of year, impact markets.,” said Polzin. “A lot of market decisions are made from that, not only on the risk management side, but also on some of those future projections.”

He said that as the report dates get pushed back it could have some ripple effects within the industry.

As some insurance policies and programs are mandated to remain steady, Polzin said enrollment into those programs could be delayed.

“So it’s usually this time of year that we start to get information on that program when that enrollment period starts and then when sign ups officially are able to be made by that producer,” said Polzin. “So without this information, it can kind of change that risk portfolio and options that producers have to them in order to offset some of that risk through these different programs, policies and insurance products.”

Flick remains in good spirits during this busy market season, despite what federal uncertainty looms.

“The government will come back online. It will all work out. As my dad says it doesn’t do anything for us, it happens all the time and it just delays some things,” Flick said.

Polzin said he wants to remind the public that USDA safety and security inspections performed by federal inspectors are considered essential and will not being affected by the shutdown.

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