Articles
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.
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #44: Mulberries Part II, Very Mulberry and Habitera Farms with Anil and Smita
A conversation with Anil and Smita, co-founders of the Very Mulberry brand and Habitera Farms, an 80-acre commercial mulberry farm in the Bay Area of California. Habitera Farms is the only large-scale commercial mulberry farm in the United States today. It opened for business this spring and operates primarily as a U-Pick farm. Resources Very […]
The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #43: Mulberries Part I, Current Research and Historical Context
A conversation with Eliza Greenman, fruit explorer and Germplasm Specialist at the Savanna Institute, and Scott Brainard, Tree Crop Breeder at the Savanna Institute and post-doc at UW-Madison, about the history of mulberries and current research to develop improved varieties for agroforestry systems. Resources Savanna Institute Hog Tree Farm
Drought resources for livestock producers
While some parts of the state have recently received some much-needed rain, forage yield has already been reduced and we don’t know what the rest of the growing season will bring. If you have not begun putting some mitigation plans and practices in place, now is the time to do so. Some of the tasks to be done include:
Should I apply fungicide during a drought?
Foliar diseases will be less common in a dry year. Do not apply fungicides to maintain plant health in absence of diseases. Prophylactic applications of pesticides increase the odds of developing resistance to the product applied. If conditions are not conducive to fungal growth, you will not get a return on applying fungicides.
Managing pastures in drought conditions
Cool-season grasses are highly dependent on regular rainfall, with 1 to 1.5 inches a week needed for sustained optimal growth through the summer. While dry and hot conditions in July and August frequently result in a “summer slump”, longer periods of deficient rainfall can dramatically reduce pasture production. Poor management during drought can slow pasture recovery after the rain starts falling again.
Capture unknown N levels: June is PSNT testing time
Every field and every growing season is different, and determining if added nitrogen will pay off is hard to determine. In early to mid-June take time to collect samples for these two tests: Pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) and early season tissue tests to help you determine how much nitrogen is in the soil and how much is already in the plant.
New Developments in Corn Rootworm and Post-Emergence Weed Control Consideration
The June 14th Badger Crop Connect session features discussions from Dr. Emily Bick, Extension Precision Pest Technology Specialist, and Dr. Rodrigo Werle, Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist.
