Despite positive jobs report, rising costs leave many U.S. farmers struggling

Article excerpt

The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May, beating expectations, but Wisconsin farmers tell a different story. Rising tariffs, fuel costs, and fertilizer prices are squeezing operations across farm country, even as the broader economy posts solid employment gains. The disconnect highlights how national economic data can mask hardship in specific industries and regions, where farmers face compounding pressures from global trade tensions and commodity costs.