Wisconsin Farmers Get Roadmap to Cut Emissions and Costs

Wisconsin farmers facing financial losses from corn production now have a proven path to cut costs while fighting climate change.

The Roadmap to Net Zero, released this month by Clean Wisconsin and partners, reveals how the state's agricultural sector can dramatically reduce emissions while boosting farm profitability. The first-of-its-kind analysis combines peer-reviewed science with real Wisconsin farm data to show transformational change is both necessary and achievable.

"Continuing to rely solely on corn and soybean production is proving to be a financial loser for many of our state's farmers," says Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin's Water and Agriculture Program Director. For the third consecutive year, corn producers are losing money on every bushel they harvest.

The research identifies immediate wins farmers can implement today. Reducing nitrogen fertilizer use cuts greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils while protecting drinking water and lowering farmers' reliance on expensive inputs that drive costs skyward.

The study also targets Wisconsin's one million acres currently used for inefficient corn-based ethanol production. Transitioning these lands to perennial crops and managed livestock pastures would significantly reduce emissions while creating more stable income streams.

Some popular conservation practices received surprising assessments. While cover crops and no-till farming help reduce soil erosion and limit fertilizer runoff, they provide negligible long-term carbon storage. The findings challenge farmers to think bigger about climate solutions.

Livestock management emerged as another critical area. Better manure handling, dietary modifications, and improved practices can substantially cut emissions from dairy and beef operations that define Wisconsin agriculture.

The Ripple Effect

The real game-changer lies in perennial agriculture systems like agroforestry, silvopasture, and rotationally-grazed pastures. These approaches offer the greatest greenhouse gas reduction potential while producing high-value, nutrient-dense food products.

The benefits extend far beyond climate wins. These systems improve water quality and soil health, reduce flood risk, and enhance biodiversity. They also insulate farmers from volatile fertilizer and fuel prices that have squeezed profit margins in recent years.

Rising costs and uncertain markets are already pushing many Wisconsin farmers toward change. They're experimenting with crops requiring less fertilizer and showing more resilience to climate variability.

The collaborative effort behind the roadmap brought together Clean Wisconsin, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, the Savanna Institute, and University of Wisconsin–Madison's Grassland 2.0 program. Together, they're advancing a shared goal: achieving net-zero agricultural emissions through climate-resilient, economically viable farming systems.

"This doesn't have to happen all at once, but we now have the research to show what's needed and how to get there," Walling notes.

Wisconsin's farmers now have a science-backed blueprint to protect their land, their livelihoods, and the climate for generations to come.