Wisconsin is widely known as “America’s Dairyland,” highlighting the state’s history with milk and cheese production. However, the state’s agricultural sector is diverse and contributes significantly to the national food supply, extending far beyond dairy. This diversity is supported by a humid continental climate, which provides a warm growing season, and rich, glaciation-tilled soil. These conditions permit the cultivation of high-volume field crops and various specialty products, making Wisconsin a major producer of both livestock feed and human food.
Major Field Crops and Forage
The large-scale dairy industry necessitates massive production of field crops, primarily for animal nutrition. Corn is widely grown and divided into two main uses: grain corn and corn silage. Grain corn is a major cash crop used for livestock feed, ethanol production, and exports. Corn silage, which includes the entire plant harvested while green, is a forage product essential to the dairy cow’s diet. Wisconsin is the nation’s leading producer of corn harvested for silage, linking this crop directly to the state’s dairy sector. Alfalfa and hay are also cultivated extensively as primary forage sources, providing protein and fiber for livestock. Soybeans represent another high-volume cash crop, primarily sold as a commodity for animal feed and oil extraction. These field crops form the foundation of Wisconsin’s agricultural economy.
Key Vegetable and Processing Crops
Wisconsin is a major supplier of vegetables destined for commercial processing, ranking second nationally in overall production. Favorable soils and climate contribute to the success of several high-volume vegetables grown for canning and freezing.
Potatoes are a substantial crop harvested across thousands of acres, with Wisconsin consistently ranking third or fourth nationally. Other vegetables grown for processing include cabbage (for kraut) and beets (for canning), in which Wisconsin ranks first.
Top Processing Vegetables
Wisconsin leads the nation in the production of several key processing vegetables:
- Snap beans: Wisconsin ranks first, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total output for processing.
- Green peas: The state holds the second-highest production ranking.
- Sweet corn: Wisconsin ranks third nationally in production.
Signature Specialty Crops
Wisconsin is recognized nationally and globally for unique, high-value specialty crops. Cranberries are the state’s official fruit and its number-one fruit crop by size and economic value. Wisconsin has led the nation in cranberry production for decades, supplying approximately 60% of the U.S. total crop. Production is concentrated in the central and northern parts of the state, utilizing specialized marsh growing conditions supported by acidic soils, low temperatures, and abundant water.
Ginseng is another specialty crop where Wisconsin dominates national production, accounting for up to 95% of all cultivated American ginseng. The majority of this production is centered in Marathon County. This root crop requires a three-to-five-year growth period and is cultivated under artificial shade structures. The combination of nutrient-rich soil and long, cold winters in Central Wisconsin gives the local ginseng a distinct quality highly prized in Asian export markets.