Articles
Growing great pasture and forage in sandy soils, can it be done?
“If you graze it, it will grow.” This variation of the old Field of Dreams adage is often the mantra of grazing influencers. And in many cases, adding livestock to a forage system can induce growth through disturbance and nutrient cycling.
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #33: Bambara Groundnut
An interview with Dr. Jed Colquhoun about his research on the Bambara groundnut. The Bambara groundnut is a new crop to the United States but commonly grown in its native Africa as a subsistence crop. Jed shares his successes and challenges during his early work breeding this legume for Wisconsin. Dr. Jed Colquhoun is a […]
Frost damage to alfalfa
The cold temperatures in early spring can cause some frost damage to alfalfa. Following are recommendations for evaluating damage and taking action.
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #32: Mint Production (For Oil)
Four experts from Indiana join us for a conversation on growing peppermint and spearmint for oil. Doug Matthys is a mint farmer in South Bend, Indiana at Shady Lane Farms, a fourth-generation family farm growing mint on about 1000 acres. Dr. Elizabeth Long, Assistant Professor in the Department of Entymology at Purdue University, studies plant-insect […]
Update on corn shredlage for dairy cows
There continues to be a lot of interest in corn silage harvested with a self-propelled forage harvester (SPFH) equipped with an aftermarket processor having cross-grooved processing rolls set for 2- to 3-mm roll gap and greater roll speed differential than has typically been used (32% versus 21%). Also, the developer of this processor recommends that […]
Field Notes Episode 3: Introduction to Bale Grazing
With winter on the horizon, ensuring that your bags, bunkers, and silos are full to brim is a ready solution for easing worries about winter feed supply. But, for some farmers, the solution to winter feeding and storage is out in the field. We talk bale grazing with Jason Cavadini who, in addition to being the state grazing specialist with Extension, grazes beef cattle near Marshfield and Lynn Johnson a farmer and grazing consultant with the Northwest Grazing Network.
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #31: Haskaps (aka Honeyberries)
A conversation with two experts on haskaps (aka honeyberries). First up is Bernis Ingvaldson, who owns and operates The Honeyberry Farm with her husband Jim in Bagley, MN, about two hours south of the Canadian border. They grow about two acres of honeyberries along with many other alternative fruit crops. Next is a conversation with […]
Field Notes Episode 2: Winter Cover Crops
As fall arrives, farmers turn to harvest. Once the dust settles, some fields lay bare while others show signs of life heading into winter. We talk with Kevin Shelley of UW-Madison’s Nutrient and Pest Management program and Scott Carlson, a farmer in northwestern Wisconsin, about the benefits, challenges, and choices of planting winter cover crops.
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #30: Cider Apples
Dan Bussey is an apple historian, orchardist, cider maker, and author of the seven volume series “The Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada.” He has a special interest in heirloom apples and loves to get creative with his cidermaking.
Frost Seeding Legumes and Grasses into Established Pastures
Frost seeding legumes and grasses is common means to improve forage yield or change the species composition of a pasture. Frost seeding offers several potential advantages: the ability to establish forage in an undisturbed sod, a reduced need for labor and energy compared to conventional seeding methods, the ability to establish forages with minimum equipment investment, a shortened “non-grazing” period, and a means to maintain stands at productive levels with both grasses and legumes.
