Posted: 03.31.2011

It was the second day of good weather and great crowds at the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh.  The WPS Farm Show has become an annual right of passage for many involved in agriculture - from winter, into spring.  Although the grounds still had some snow remaining - and parking was a bit treacherous - attitudes were up.

Tim Baumgartner, ag loan officer with Badgerland Farm Credit's office in Plymouth told Pam Jahnke Wednesday that they've seen a slight increase in business this spring.  "Seems like more people are optimistic about this spring.  They see higher commodity prices, dairy is rebounding some - they're feeling better."  Baumgartner told Jahnke that they've seen an up-tick in purchases of equipment, some investment in land and expanding facilities.

"Today, growers are using a whole bunch of different risk management tools to make sure they're protected."  Baumgartner said.  "Dairy farmers are really trying to see what tools are available to make sure they know what's coming up."  Baumgartner said while dairy may not be completely recovered from the freefall of 2008-2009, there's improvement out there.  "We're seeing some dairies tackle more debt repayment then we did last year."

Baumgartner said the other factor that's helping keep farmers up-beat despite high input costs and rising feed expense - interest rates have remained fairly flat.

The WPS Farm Show continues until 3 p.m. Thursday.

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