Some of the biggest concerns for livestock owners are maintaining dry bedding and supplying enough food, said Alana Voss, agriculture educator for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Sauk and Juneau counties.
Category: Extension
Northwestern Community-Based Lobbyists To Ask State For More Support
Farther north, those attending the 34th annual Superior Days — put on by the University of Wisconsin-Extension in mid-February — plan to lobby the state to increase reimbursement through the state’s Medicaid program.
Evers promises clean drinking water; what now?
Polluted well water has been an issue in Wisconsin for decades, according to Kevin Masarik, a groundwater specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and UW-Extension.
Competition draws German meat judges to Wisconsin
This was the second time the German Butchers’ Association, American Association of Meat Processors and UW-Madison’s Extension meat science program have worked together to hold this off-site competition in conjunction with the main competition in Frankfurt.
Extension move to UW-Madison creates opportunities
Last summer, UW Cooperative Extension moved into the UW-Madison as part of the UW System reorganization. This move creates new opportunities for each organization to be a better resource for the state and its communities.
Diversity and efficiency go hand-in-hand in nature, health, and on the farm
Diversity simply means “a range of different things.” It was not long ago when our Wisconsin farms, while largely centered on dairy production, were typically also home to chickens, hogs, and sheep. These other enterprises may have been minor, but they provided a level of insurance when dairy proved less than profitable.
Wisconsin Ag Outlook Forum Slated for January 29
Agricultural economists and commodity specialists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Extension will talk about the financial health of Wisconsin agriculture and the outlook for the year to come at the 12th annual Wisconsin Agricultural Economic Outlook forum in Madison next week.
Wisconsin’s ag economy in 2019 at Agricultural Outlook Forum
The financial health of Wisconsin’s farms and agricultural businesses, with a special focus on consolidation in the state’s dairy industry, are topics for the upcoming Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 29 on the UW–Madison campus.
Wisconsin producers worry over hay shortage, high prices
Richard Halopka, a crops and soils agent with University of Wisconsin-Extension in Clark County, said he doesn’t believe there’s a hay shortage in Wisconsin, but rather the hay available is lower quality than people would like to purchase. Halopka said the biggest price increases have been for low quality hay.
Annual Cow College explores structure and development of a dairy cow’s udder
Forty people, including students from Fox Valley Technical College and New London High School, heard Dr. Laura Hernandez from the Dairy Science Department at UW-Madison about her research on the mammary system of dairy cows.
Robotics help region’s small dairy farmers
University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Biological Systems and Engineering Doug Reinnemann said about 300 farms in the state are using an automatic robotic milking system and the number is “growing steady” among smaller farms — usually about 200 to 500 cows.
CAFO meetings to be held around Wisconsin in February
UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are co-hosting a series of concentrated animal feeding operation update meetings throughout the state in early February.
2019 Midwest Manure Summit
To keep farmers and industry professionals abreast of the latest technologies and techniques in animal waste management, University of Wisconsin-Extension is hosting the 2019 Midwest Manure Summit, February 27, 2019, Lambeau Field Atrium, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Master Gardener volunteers give back
In Wisconsin, the program is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who aid UW-Extension educators by helping people in the community better understand horticulture and their environment.
Support of struggling dairy sector focus on January meeting in Kiel
An unusually long economic down cycle in the dairy industry is taking its financial toll on area farmers and businesses.
Supporting farmers during challenging times
This one-half day meeting is designed to help agribusiness professionals and agency staff feel more comfortable and confident working with families in distress, and to connect with others to provide support for the farming community.
UW-Extension staff on front lines of ag and the environment throughout Wisconsin
The coming year will bring some exciting change to UW-Extension as we become the Division of Extension within UW-Madison. We are excited about this return to our historic home at UW-Madison and the potential it brings to tighten connections with the University’s award winning researchers and academic staff.
Dairy Revenue Protection Program Informational Meetings offered by UW-Extension this winter
University of Wisconsin-Extension will offer a number of meetings across the state for farmers interested in learning about the new Dairy Revenue Protection program, a new federal insurance tool, with a quarterly payout to dairy farms when milk revenue falls below their insured revenue level.
Fewer acres, lower-cost crops, retirement, getting out? What’s a farmer to do?
As farmers hustle to finish the harvest, there is no sign of a letup in the long-term slump in commodity prices that are now being fed by trade and tariff tensions. The result is “almost a perfect storm,” says Mark Hagedorn, a UW-Madison Division of Extension dairy/animal science agriculture educator in Eau Claire County.
Craft cider makes comeback
To propagate artisanal cider trees, a producer often needs to graft. That’s exactly what 50 people opted to do on a Saturday afternoon this past spring as participants in the inaugural Hard Cider Apple Grafting Workshop hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.
The Root of It All: Welcoming new Master Gardeners
In early November, 15 individuals completed the 2018 UW-Extension Master Gardener Level 1 training course offered by the UW-Extension Horticulture Program in Racine and Kenosha Counties.
Food business expert: Be transparent and build trust
According to Tera Johnson, director of the UW System Food Finance Institute, big and bigger changes are here when it comes to food business trends.
Spooner teaching garden wins award
The garden, which is a joint effort among the Spooner Agricultural Research Station, the Spooner Area UW-Extension Office and UW-Extension North Country Master Gardener Volunteers, completed against entrants in its category from across the U.S. and in Canada.
Expert: Renovating dairy barns for beef herds requires considerations
Sarah Mills-Lloyd is a licensed veterinarian who serves as the UW-Extension Oconto County agriculture agent, specializing in dairy and livestock. She recently shared suggestions for remodeling “retired” dairy facilities for beef herds, noting that the state has more beef farms than dairy farms.
AgrAbility funded for another four years
AgrAbility of Wisconsin is a program designed to help farmers who have physical limitations or disabilities continue to farm. The program is primarily funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and is a collaboration between UW-Extension and Easter Seals Wisconsin.
Agricultural educator serves counties
The University of Wisconsin-Extension in Barron and Polk counties has hired Becky Schley as a new agricultural educator. She will serve the two northwestern Wisconsin counties from a main office in Barron, Wisconsin.
Stopping unwanted critters from sneaking indoors requires diligence
The onset of colder conditions is the best time to take preventive measures to keep small animals — such as bats, mice and small rodents — from getting into homes, said Jamie Nack, wildlife outreach specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Manage heifer inventory strategically
To use data that applies specifically to their dairy, producers can use an online “Heifer Replacement” tool developed by Victor Cabrera, a dairy science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Conservation-practice economics calculated
Farmers who are hesitant about transitioning to no-till practices might consider doing a test and hiring someone to do the no-till planting. The Uplands Watershed Group has a no-till drill available to rent at an economical cost, said Daniel Smith, southwest regional specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nutrient and Pest-Management Program.
Badger Swine Symposium set for November 9
Wisconsin pork farmers are invited to join University of Wisconsin-Extension, the Wisconsin Pork Association, and the UW-Agriculture Colleges (Madison, Platteville, and River Falls) for the Badger Swine Symposium on Friday, November 9, 2018. The Badger Swine Symposium is being hosted at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station.
Naturalist program boon for Wisconsin
The curriculum is developed at University of Wisconsin-Extension and delivered in partnership with more than 50 host organizations like nature centers. It’s customized to explore natural history, flora and fauna. Courses in southern Wisconsin may focus on prairie habitats, while those in the northern part of the state may spend more time learning about different types of forests.
New apprenticeship program creates pathway for organic vegetable farmers to train and retain skilled workers
“Students wanted to know where they could find positive internships and training opportunities for hands-on learning,” said Julie Dawson, University of Wisconsin-Extension horticulture educator and UW-Madison assistant professor of horticulture. “This really brought out the need for a more comprehensive training program.”
CALS honoree values diversity
Maenner plans numerous educational events at which UW-Extension specialists make presentations. She strengthens connections between grower groups and UW-Extension, brainstorms educational-program ideas with growers, and manages research grants through associations, Guedot said.
Economist, ag groups cheer revised trade pact
Jerry Clark, Chippewa County UW-Extension agricultural agent, agreed with Hagedorn that this is good news for local farmers. There is more milk produced in the U.S. than what can be used domestically. Both Mexico and Canada are major buyers of Wisconsin milk and dairy products, he said.
Soggy weather delaying fall harvest is ‘just another nail in the coffin’ for Wisconsin farmers
Quoted: “You need a boat to get into some fields,” quipped Kevin Jarek, a University of Wisconsin Extension agent in Outagamie County.
Geiser’s conservation ethic earns Leopold finalist spot
The project with the UW-Madison interns, overseen by professor Fred Madison, continued from 2010 to 2015. It examined the links between karst topography, groundwater, and dairy farm practices. As a result of those ventures, Geiser reports that mistakes were uncovered in the existing soil survey data.
What to expect from Stalk Rot and Mycotoxins in severely diseased and damaged Corn
Corn is looking pretty rugged in many areas of the Wisconsin corn belt. Areas in southern, southwestern, and south-central Wisconsin have experienced major foliar disease epidemics including the new disease, tar spot.
Communication difficulties during Superior oil refinery fire: report
James Anderson, the UW-Extension Douglas County department head, hosted a discussion in May with agencies involved in the April 26 explosion, fire and evacuation. He said the document outlines that discussion, which focused on “What was supposed to happen? What worked well? What could be improved?”
Volunteer wheat needs managing
There is potential in 2018 for abundant volunteer wheat in late-summer-seeded alfalfa stands, says Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin-Extension weed specialist.
Decide now for alfalfa health
Management decisions made now can impact how alfalfa stands do during winter. In spring 2018 there were a lot of reports of alfalfa surviving winter, but much alfalfa was weak and yields were less. Winter weather was to blame.
Heavy rains have brought a late-summer surge of mosquitoes
Noted: “Usually the population starts to go down by the middle to the end of September, but that hasn’t happened,” said Lisa Johnson, horticulture educator with the University of Wisconsin Extension.
Onslaught of rain in Wisconsin produces late-summer resurgence of mosquitoes
Quoted: “Usually the population starts to go down by the middle to the end of September, but that hasn’t happened,” said Lisa Johnson, horticulture educator with the University of Wisconsin Extension. “This year we got a bump.”
USDA looks to buy $50 million in milk to combat surplus
Eau Claire County’s UW-Extension says the purchase may help Wisconsin milk producers, who have been struggling with low prices and recent tariffs from export markets like Mexico and China, get back on their feet.
Coming home
Quoted: “This is a year of transition. A lot of work is happening behind the scenes. But it should be invisible to our listeners and viewers,” says Purcell. “Over the next year, we are figuring out how to move [public media] under the UW-Madison umbrella. In a sense, we’re coming home. But in a sense, we’ve never left.”
Statewide survey reveals farmers markets are on the rise
Farmers market vendors and consumers are on the rise according to a new survey released by the University of Wisconsin- Extension Office.
Farmers market survey reveals the numbers, issues in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to an estimated 308 farmers markets of all sizes and geographical locations. And now researchers from UW-Madison and UW-Extension have taken a dive into the numbers and issues that farmers markets face.
Farmers market survey reveals the numbers and issues in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to an estimated 308 farmers markets of all sizes and geographical locations. And now researchers from UW-Madison and UW-Extension have taken a dive into the numbers and issues that farmers markets face.
Cost of Farming Increases in Wisconsin
Quoted: “We see over $1 billion in economic activity in these counties when we add up the infrastructure that’s out there and all the commerce that occurs between the production, the processing and the selling of the product,” said Jerry Clark, Chippewa County Agriculture Agent with UW-Extension.
Many plants can be poisonous to pets and livestock
Noted: Many weed varieties aren’t toxic unless environmental conditions make them so. “If plants pick up a lot of nitrogens from rain and rapid growth, and animals eat a lot of them, they can die,” said Mark Renz, a University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension weed scientist.
Farm-City Day hosts grow to bring three sons into dairy
Ryan Sterry, St. Croix County UW-Extension agriculture agent, said the Johnson farm is unique in that they grew their business “in steps” to bring in the next generation, and they have dabbled in registered Holstein genetics, with bragging rights to some high-ranking genomic animals.
Wisconsin’s Farmers’ Markets Come In Many Sizes And Structures
Farmers’ market managers in Wisconsin, along with other people who support farmers’ markets, expressed interest in learning more about what practices and features are common across the state. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences conducted a survey in 2017 to help answer their questions.
Grant and Marathon county teams top 2018 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
Judging teams from across the state battled during the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held July 23 at the Stock Pavilion at UW-Madison. This annual venue allows the top junior and senior county 4-H Livestock judging teams the opportunity to apply their skills in evaluating beef, swine, sheep and meat goat classes in hopes of qualifying for a national livestock judging event this fall.
Farm to Flavor dinner scheduled
More than 20 plant breeders from UW-Madison, other universities, seed companies, non-profits and independent farms have contributed numerous varieties of 12 different crops to the project. Trials are conducted at UW-West Madison Agricultural Research Station and UW-Spooner Agricultural Research Station to compare crops for flavor, productivity, disease resistance and earliness.
Dane County seeks to increase public involvement in local government
The team of supervisors is working with the UW-Extension to examine methods other municipalities and local governments throughout the country use to inform residents and seek input.
Farmers battling back against armyworm infestations
Bryan Jensen, Integrated Pest Management specialist for Cooperative Extension and UW Horticulture professor says he’s been getting plenty of emails and phone calls from farmers who describe damage ranging from moderate damage of leaf tissue to extreme defoliation in corn plants.
Mosquito population in Wisconsin on the rise this season
Statewide, there have been reports of a healthy mosquito crop this year. That’s according to Jerry Claire, Agriculture Agent with UW-Extension in Chippewa County. “Coming out of a mild winter with ample snow cover, that tends to protect some of those last year’s eggs,” said Clark.
Prepare for the Onslaught of Japanese Beetles
If you see Japanese beetles in your corn fields it could mean poor pollination is imminent. The pest loves to snack on corn’s delicate silks—and if they clip them to ½” or less the crop might not pollinate.
Consider a foliar insecticide treatment during tasseling and silking if there are three or more beetles per ear, silks are clipped to ½” and pollination is less than 50% complete, according to Eileen Cullen, University of Wisconsin Extension entomologist.
“[If applying an insecticide] beetles must be on the outside of the ear, which is normally the case,” Cullen says “The main concern with Japanese beetle feeding is to protect silks for pollination.”
Farm Technology Days Kicks-Off in Wood County
Farm tours of the Sternweis’ dairy operation will also be held throughout the day, along with Virtual Tours of Weber’s Farm Store, Heiman Holsteins and Nasonville Dairy at the University of Wisconsin-Extension Tent.
UW-Extension to host winter wheat profitability workshop
Three UW-Madison/UW-Extension state specialists will be on hand to share the latest in research that will help ensure the decisions you make help reap a profitable harvest.
UW-Extension offering educational information at Farm Tech Days
Innovative technologies that support Wisconsin’s agriculture will be on display throughout the University of Wisconsin – Extension’s Education Station.