Articles
Adaptation to Extreme Weather Events with Cover Crops
This article considers how cover crops can contribute to the adaptive management of extreme weather events like droughts, floods, extreme precipitation, and extreme soil temperature fluctuations.
Crop residue: Should you take it or leave it?
When it comes to farming, every decision can impact both the immediate and long-term health of your land. Here are some considerations to think about when deciding whether or not to remove crop residue from the field.
Mycotoxins: Beware of this hidden danger in this fall’s harvest
In Wisconsin, it seemed like every passing rain cloud dropped an inch or more of rain, and those clouds just kept coming. Combine record moisture in some areas with high humidity and clouds, and it was the perfect storm for slugs, molds, and diseases to infiltrate our crop fields and cause damage.
▶ Watch: Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program Overview
In the September 25, 2024 Badger Crop Connect webinar, Monica Schauer, the UW NOPP Research Director, discussed an ongoing grant program that funds Wisconsin farmers to do on-farm nitrogen application rate research.
▶ Watch: Biological Nitrogen Products
In the September 25, 2024 Badger Crop Connect webinar, Dr. Steven Hall, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the UW–Madison Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, discussed the context, challenges, and potential opportunities for biological nitrogen fixation products in cereal crops.
▶ Watch: Wisconsin Ag Climate Outlook Sept. 25
The September 25, 2024 Badger Crop Connect webinar featured Josh Bendorf, ORISE Research Fellow with the USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub, who discussed the latest Wisconsin ag climate outlook. Josh talked about recent rain, its effect on soil moisture content, and current outlooks for late September and early October 2024.
Managing Soybean Aphids in Wisconsin Soybean Fields
Soybean aphids (Aphis glycines) are an invasive pest from Asia that can significantly stunt plant growth and yield. Soybean aphids feed on the sap of plants and leave behind a sticky residue.
Managing European Corn Borers in Wisconsin Corn Fields
European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis) are destructive corn pests in Wisconsin. Larvae destroy developing tassels, bore into stalks, and attack ear tips. European corn borer damage reduces grain quality, increases grain loss, and leads to harvesting problems.
Managing Corn Earworms in Wisconsin Corn Fields
Corn earworms (Helicoverpa zea) are a species of moth whose larvae feed on a variety of crops in the Midwestern United States. The larvae mainly affect sweet corn and hybrid dent seed corn but also feed on field corn, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and snap beans.
Preventing future weed infestations by managing drown out areas
In spots, too much water accumulated and led to drowned out spots and in some cases even entire fields. In spots, these areas were re-planted. In other areas, troublesome weeds like waterhemp are quickly escaping and will likely produce plenty of seed before a killing frost occurs.
