Articles
Field Management of High Oleic Soybeans for Feed
High oleic soybeans can reduce dairy feed costs by allowing higher feeding rates without depressing milkfat, but require careful stewardship planning.
▶ Machinery in Diversified Vegetable Systems
This article walks through the different parts of and considerations around calibrating and using a backpack sprayer in diversified vegetable systems.
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #54: Fiber Flax – Building the US Linen Industry from the Ground Up
An interview with Leslie Schroeder, founder of Midwest Linen Revival, and Shannon Welsh, Executive Director of the North American Linen Association and Co-founder of Fibrevolution, on the status and future of flax and linen in the United States. Resources North American Linen Association Midwest Linen Revival
15 Tips for Effective Cattle Handling in Grazing Systems
Livestock handling has the potential to make or break a grazing operation. So, developing good stockmanship skills and thoughtfully designing grazing infrastructure (fences, lanes, water, etc.) to accommodate low-stress animal handling should be a top priority for each farm.
BMPs of NMPs #6: On-Farm Implementation of Nutrient Management in Southwest WI
On the sixth and final episode of the BMPs of NMPs, Landon Baumgartner and Dan Smith discuss the trends that they have seen in their home area of southwestern Wisconsin’s driftless area. They highlight the importance of farmer innovation, particularly in the area’s steep slopes, in forwarding the goals of nutrient management, including no-till planting, cover crops, and variable rate applications. While emphasis on reducing phosphorus losses from soil runoff and manure management remain key in the area, new attention is being paid to nitrogen loading, especially with the proximity of the Mississippi River.
BMPs of NMPs #5: Nutrient Management Planning and Soil Health
This fifth episode of the BMPs of NMPS offers a deep dive into the nuances of Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) and soil health, led by Chris Bandera and Jamie Patton. Emphasizing that while soil fertility is a core component of a high-functioning soil system, it is not synonymous with the broader concept of soil health.
BMPs of NMPs #4: Soil and Land Feature Restrictions for 590 and CAFO Farms
In this fourth episode of the BMPs of NMPs, Hava Blair and Andrea Topper join host Landon Baumgartner to unpack how Wisconsin’s diverse soils and sensitive land features shape farming practices. They explore the unique challenges of regions like the Driftless Area, Central Sands, and Silurian bedrock zones, and explain common restrictions such as setbacks near water bodies, wells, and wetlands.
▶ Combine Cleaning: A Simple Step to Reduce Weed Seed Dispersal
Rodrigo Werle, Extension Weed Scientist and Daniel H. Smith, Nutrient and Pest Management Program Manager, demonstrate where weed seeds hide in a combine and how to clean a combine for weed seed management.
Living Aisles Case Study #1: Sawyer Farm, Worthington, MA & Momentum Ag
Most farmers are familiar with the benefits of cover crops: they reduce erosion, improve soil health, and help suppress weeds. Cover crops are often incorporated into fields as part of crop rotations, but they can also be planted in the aisles between cash crop beds, providing cover during a time of year when the soil is typically bare. These “living aisles” add additional advantages, such as reducing mud during rainy periods, allowing farmers to access beds when the ground is wet, and keeping harvest bins cleaner. Depending on the species used, living aisles may also be allowed to grow into beds after harvest to provide winter cover.
Living Aisles Case Study #2: Gorman Farm, Fitchburg, WI
Most farmers are familiar with the benefits of cover crops: they reduce erosion, improve soil health, and help suppress weeds. Cover crops are often incorporated into fields as part of crop rotations, but they can also be planted in the aisles between cash crop beds, providing cover during a time of year when the soil is typically bare. These “living aisles” add additional advantages, such as reducing mud during rainy periods, allowing farmers to access beds when the ground is wet, and keeping harvest bins cleaner. Depending on the species used, living aisles may also be allowed to grow into beds after harvest to provide winter cover.
