The cost of diesel fuel continues to rise as the war in Iran rolls on, and the extra expense is creating a burden for Wisconsin farmers who are already struggling, May 11, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin farmers are weighing in on the impact of President Donald Trump’s economic policies.
It comes as Trump is scheduled to make a stop in the Badger State Friday.
According to the White House, Trump’s visit to Chippewa County will “highlight his strong support for Wisconsin’s farmers — delivering lower input costs, new trade markets, less red tape, a stronger farm safety net, a doubled death tax exemption, no taxes on rural property loan interest and new Rural Opportunity Zones.”
Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming said Trump has been “all in” on helping farmers since returning to office.
“Codifying sales of year-round E15, eliminating the death tax, various farm programs, tax relief — a lot of tax relief for everybody this year — and expanding the small business deduction. There’s a whole list of things the president has done for farmers and rural communities, and he’ll keep doing it,” Schimming said.
However, some Northeast Wisconsin farmers said high prices under Trump have made their jobs harder. Rachel Harmann of Lakeshore Land & Livestock in Algoma said soaring input costs for things like fertilizer and feed have made it difficult to keep up.
“We’ve had to make cuts in other places so that we can hopefully break even at the end of the day or end of the year. Wisconsin farmers are resilient and innovative, but we need a stable business environment in order to succeed,” Harmann said.
She said not every farm is necessarily being impacted in the same way. Still, she’s happy the issue of agriculture will be front and center during Trump’s visit Friday.
“We don’t expect every challenge to be solved overnight, but we do want our leaders to understand how policies affect real farm families and rural communities,” Harmann said.
High diesel prices are costing farmers more to do daily tasks. The current average cost for a gallon of diesel in Wisconsin is $5.39. Manitowoc County crop farmer Michael Slattery said in May expensive fuel is hurting his bottom line.
“I’m an average-size farmer, but that’s more than $2,000 out of my pocket that I will have to pay for diesel fuel than what I have paid, on average, in the previous three years,” Slattery said.
Trump’s implementation of tariffs has also brought fear to farmers like Slattery. Many are concerned about losing large markets for soybeans, like China.
Schimming asked Wisconsin farmers to be patient as Trump’s plan plays out.
“The president’s muscular foreign policy against some of our enemies is there for one reason: so American farmers and consumers get treated fairly. Sometimes that doesn’t happen overnight, but he’s committed to getting it done,” Schimming said.
Schimming expects Trump will have more relief for farmers in the near future. Wisconsin farmers say they just hope input costs will turn around soon.
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