APPLETON, Wis (NBC 26) -- Last year 57 of Wisconsin farms filed for bankruptcy and now in 2020 numbers are already starting to pick up at an alarming pace. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 36 Wisconsin farms have filed for bankruptcy since January 1st.
The farming business can be taxing with long days, hard work and the emotions associated with the ebbs and flows for the demand of your product. Mark Lamers, the President of Lamers Dairy in Appleton, works with several dairy farmers who are aware of the current struggles for many in the industry.
"I think the farms that are marginally hanging on right now, that maybe, the situation with COVID 19 is maybe just pushing them over the edge, unfortunately," says Lamers.
Lamers says right now his local farmers producing milk have been burdened, but not necessarily financially impacted by the spread of COVID 19.
"We've lost some business, but we've seen some gains."
The losses are pretty substantial though in scale, considering places like restaurants and public schools are increasingly less reliant on dairy.
"I know there are reports of plants asking their producers to reduce the production, which would make sense and help out. But on the other hand, I know on the farm end, they have financial situations and obligations they have to meet too," says Lamers.
Lamers says when COVID 19 hit Wisconsin there was a surge for dairy products at places like grocery stores and gas stations. Today Lamers says that demand has tapered off a bit and he hopes Wisconsinites will keep their local dairy suppliers in mind.
"Just realize the plight of that some farmers are under and try to support the local economy the best you can."
