Madison Muslims Pray Amid Middle East Tensions

Wisconsin dairy farmers face lower milk prices in 2026 as production picks up

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Good morning, Wisconsin. Here's what you need to know today. The weather stays quiet, cloudy, and mild ahead of an active end to the work week. Widespread showers and storms arrive Friday morning, and there's a possibility of scattered severe storms Friday night. As unrest continues overseas, members of Madison's Muslim community are balancing faith, family ties and personal safety while watching events unfold in Iran and across the Middle East. Prices paid to farmers for all milk declined in the second half of 2025, and softer prices are expected to continue into 2026 as production picks up.

Why it matters

The tensions in the Middle East are impacting Muslim communities across the United States, including in Madison, Wisconsin, as they navigate concerns for their safety and that of their families abroad. Meanwhile, the dairy industry in Wisconsin is facing economic challenges due to lower milk prices, which could have ripple effects on the state's agricultural economy.

The details

Members of Madison's Muslim community are monitoring the unrest in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, and are balancing their faith, family ties, and personal safety as the situation unfolds. Prices paid to Wisconsin dairy farmers for milk declined in the second half of 2025, finishing the year around $18.40 per hundredweight, down from just shy of $24 per hundredweight in January 2025. Softer prices are expected to continue into 2026 as milk production picks up.

  • Prices started just shy of $24 per hundredweight in January 2025 and finished the year around $18.40 per hundredweight.

The players

Barry Fenendael

One of the owners of El-Na Farms near Algoma in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

Kole Stauffacher

A scholar athlete who uses his intelligence and athleticism on the basketball court for Oshkosh West. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and also plays soccer and tennis.

Dan Weisse

The head coach of the Oshkosh West Wildcats basketball team, who named Kole Stauffacher a team captain.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Wisconsin National Guard was mentioned on Monday morning during a Pentagon briefing. Officials confirmed Wisconsin soldiers are being deployed to the Middle East. As troops prepare for months overseas, families across the state are also preparing for long stretches apart.

The takeaway

This story highlights the impact of global events on local communities, as Madison's Muslim residents navigate concerns for their safety and that of their families abroad, while Wisconsin's dairy farmers face economic challenges due to lower milk prices. The deployment of Wisconsin National Guard troops to the Middle East also underscores the far-reaching consequences of international tensions.