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Prussic acid and nitrate toxicity in sorghums

Sorghum plants such as sudangrass and sorghum-sudan hybrids are tropical summer annuals well adapted to drought conditions with leaves and stems with a waxy covers that limits water losses. They are widely grown for grazing, silage as well as green chop in areas that are too dry for corn.

Cover crop considerations and management after corn silage

Whether it’s reducing nitrates leached to groundwater, phosphorus to our water bodies or increasing soil organic matter and microbial biomass, the answer is generally yes. But in trying to integrate cover crops into a cropping system, what are the considerations–species selection, seeding, benefits and drawbacks–that need to be addressed along the way?

Wisconsin Management of Potato Leafhopper in Alfalfa

Potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) is a serious economic pest across multiple cropping systems such as  all types of beans, clover, apples, and potatoes. Alfalfa is a valuable forage crop widely cultivated for its high protein content and ability to fix nitrogen into the soil.

Wisconsin corn and soybean disease update and crop protection strategies

The June 28th Badger Crop Connect session features discussion from Dr. Damon Smith, Extension Funded Faculty and Professor of Epidemiology and Field Crop Diseases in the Plant Pathology Department Dr. Smith reviews the biology of the tar spot fungus in corn and the work done to ground-truth models of fungal development to refine prediction tools.

The important role of soil texture on water

The texture of soil, including its composition of sand, silt, and clay, affects water retention and drainage capabilities differently. Sandy soils drain quickly but have low water-holding capacity, while clay soils retain water tightly but have slower drainage. The article provides methods for determining soil texture, such as hand texturing and using online soil maps.

Field Notes Episode 10: Rotational Grazing in Drought

Drought affects pasture as well as crops. During these dry times, what are the considerations that graziers need to keep in mind to optimize forage, and what are the advantages that a rotationally grazed system gives us when we’re short on water? We talk with Mary C Anderson, Wisconsin DNR Grazing Specialist, retired dairy farmer, and current grass-fed/finished beef farmer and Kevin Mahalko from the Gilman, WI area, a grass-fed dairy farmer and president of Grassworks.

True Armyworm control in Wisconsin crop fields and pastures

The true armyworm is a common spring insect pest found each year in Wisconsin crop fields and pasture locations. Adult moths migrate north in the spring in search of food and habitat to begin mating and egg laying. Eggs are laid primarily in lush green grass which serves as protection and a nutritious source of food for newly hatched larvae.

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