Lender Advises Farmers to Keep Finances Tuned Up

Nicolet National Bank exec says managing expenses key to navigating economic challenges

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A minimalist illustration using simple geometric shapes and primary colors to represent the concept of a farmer carefully managing their finances and expenses.A lender's advice to farmers: Focus on controlling costs and maintaining financial flexibility to weather economic storms.Oshkosh Today

An agricultural banker from Nicolet National Bank is encouraging farmers to focus on controlling expenses and fine-tuning their operations to improve liquidity and weather economic challenges. Chris Schneider tells Brownfield that operating loans have increased due to rising input costs, but farmers should look for ways to trim smaller expenses to build up their financial resilience.

Why it matters

With high inflation, supply chain disruptions, and other economic pressures impacting the agriculture industry, Schneider's advice highlights the importance of proactive financial management for farmers to maintain profitability and stability during difficult times.

The details

Schneider says that while operating loans have gone up due to increased input costs, farmers should concentrate on the expenses they can control. 'Any of the expenses you can control, there's always probably ten smaller expenses that you can decrease by five percent each, and that adds up to a big number.' He emphasizes that when farmers are satisfied with their balance sheets, they should continue to fine-tune their operations to eke out every possible dollar, as maintaining liquidity is crucial to weathering economic storms.

  • Schneider provided this advice during the recent WPS Farm Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The players

Chris Schneider

An executive at Nicolet National Bank, an agricultural lender.

Nicolet National Bank

A regional bank that provides financial services to the agriculture industry.

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What they’re saying

“'You know, obviously, operating loans have increased because of input costs going up, but in general, they've stayed so-much-per-acre.'”

— Chris Schneider, Nicolet National Bank executive

“'Any of the expenses you can control, there's always probably ten smaller expenses that you can decrease by five percent each, and that adds up to a big number.'”

— Chris Schneider, Nicolet National Bank executive

The takeaway

Schneider's advice highlights the importance of proactive financial management for farmers, emphasizing the need to closely monitor expenses and continuously fine-tune operations to maintain profitability and liquidity during challenging economic times.