Articles
Late season insect pest scouting
Scouting is more important now than ever. Why? Well, a general rule of thumb is problems are best handled early. This applies to insect pests as the earlier you see an infestation, the easier it is to avoid economic damage. So, you might be wondering, what should I be watching for right now?
Managing Western Bean Cutworms in Wisconsin Corn Fields
Western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) is an economic pest in dry bean and corn production. Despite its name, western bean cutworm (WBCW) does not naturally feed on field soybeans. Larvae feed on corn ears, leading to yield loss and reduced grain quality.
▶ Watch: Using Buffer Strips for Ag & Water Quality
Dr. Mallika Nocco, UW-Madison Extension specialist in agrohydrology, and Landon Baumgartner, outreach specialist for the UW-Madison Extension Nutrient and Pest Management program for Southwest Wisconsin discuss the basics of buffer strips, their function, and how they could fit on your farm.
Establishing alfalfa following wheat
As we head toward the end of summer, we are closing in on time for a late summer alfalfa establishment. Commonly in Wisconsin, this is done following a wheat crop in the spring. This can lead to a few challenges to consider: residual herbicide carryover and the effects of volunteer wheat on successful establishment.
▶ Watch: Wheat and Soybean in 2024: When grains do the hokey-pokey
The July 24 Badger Crop Connect webinar featured Dr. Shawn Conley, Extension Soybean and Small Grains Agronomist and Professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Shawn discusses preliminary results from 2024 Wisconsin winter wheat performance trials including yield, test weight and disease presence data; cover crop challenges in 2024; and the status of soybean stands across Wisconsin.
▶ Watch: Midseason Disease Update
The July 24 Badger Crop Connect webinar featured Dr. Damon Smith, Extension field crops pathologist and Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Damon gives an update on what diseases he’s seeing in Wisconsin farm fields in late July 2024. He mainly discusses white mold in soybean and tar spot in corn and management practices for each.
▶ Watch: Wisconsin Ag Climate Outlook July 24
The July 24 Badger Crop Connect webinar featured Dr. Ed Hopkins, Wisconsin Assistant State Climatologist, and Natasha Paris, Extension regional crops educator for Adams, Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara Counties. Ed and Natasha give an update on growing degree day accumulation, the status of corn and soybeans across Wisconsin, and trends in precipitation and soil moisture lately.
Managing Japanese Beetles in Wisconsin Corn and Soybean Fields
Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are an invasive beetle from Japan that feed on the leaves and flowers of crops. They mainly feed on corn and soybeans, but can also be a pest to ornamental plants, fruits, and turf.
Cover crop options after small grains and processing crops
Harvesting small grains or processing crops in the summer months provides a great opportunity to plant a variety of cover crop species that can achieve several different benefits or goals such as soil erosion protection, nitrogen (N) supply to subsequent grain crops, and weed suppression.
15 tips for designing fencing systems for managed grazing
A great deal of the success in a well-managed grazing system is owed to the design of the fencing infrastructure. Especially in managed grazing systems where livestock are rotated frequently, a well-designed fencing system that accommodates rotational grazing can make or break the system.
