The 2027 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum, themed “Extreme Weather and Animal Disease: Preparing for Threats to Wisconsin Agriculture,” will take place on Tuesday, January 26, on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The in-person event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Varsity Hall at Union South (1308 West Dayton Street, Madison). A reception will follow the forum.

Hosted by UW–Madison’s Renk Agribusiness institute, the annual forum brings together agricultural leaders, policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals to examine emerging issues shaping Wisconsin agriculture.

This year’s program will focus on the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events and animal disease outbreaks. From farm-level impacts to disruptions across markets, supply chains, and rural communities, these threats raise important questions about preparedness, resilience, and the roles of producers, industry leaders, and government in responding to agricultural crises.

The forum’s morning session will feature updates on the state of rural Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s farm economy, along with commodity outlooks for grains, livestock and meat, and dairy. The afternoon program will include two expert panel discussions. The first will explore the policy implications of extreme weather events for Wisconsin producers, while the second will examine strategies for managing and responding to animal disease outbreaks.

Registration is now open at https://go.wisc.edu/agoutlookforum2027.

The early-bird registration fee is $75 and includes forum attendance, lunch, refreshments, and the reception. Reserved parking is available for $20 and must be purchased through the registration site by December 23, 2026.

Those unable to attend in person may watch a free livestream of the forum on the Renk Agribusiness Institute’s YouTube channel. No registration is required to view the virtual livestream.

This annual event is convened through a partnership between UW–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Division of Extension. For questions, please contact Megan Webster at mawebster@wisc.edu.