Smart Potassium Management

Crop removal of potassium (K) is high in common Wisconsin crops like alfalfa, corn silage, and high-yielding soybeans. When soil test levels slip too low, yields and crop quality can both suffer.

BMPs of NMPs #6: On-Farm Implementation of Nutrient Management in Southwest WI

On the sixth and final episode of the BMPs of NMPs, Landon Baumgartner and Dan Smith discuss the trends that they have seen in their home area of southwestern Wisconsin’s driftless area. They highlight the importance of farmer innovation, particularly in the area’s steep slopes, in forwarding the goals of nutrient management, including no-till planting, cover crops, and variable rate applications. While emphasis on reducing phosphorus losses from soil runoff and manure management remain key in the area, new attention is being paid to nitrogen loading, especially with the proximity of the Mississippi River.

BMPs of NMPs #5: Nutrient Management Planning and Soil Health

This fifth episode of the BMPs of NMPS offers a deep dive into the nuances of Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) and soil health, led by Chris Bandera and Jamie Patton. Emphasizing that while soil fertility is a core component of a high-functioning soil system, it is not synonymous with the broader concept of soil health.

BMPs of NMPs #4: Soil and Land Feature Restrictions for 590 and CAFO Farms

In this fourth episode of the BMPs of NMPs, Hava Blair and Andrea Topper join host Landon Baumgartner to unpack how Wisconsin’s diverse soils and sensitive land features shape farming practices. They explore the unique challenges of regions like the Driftless Area, Central Sands, and Silurian bedrock zones, and explain common restrictions such as setbacks near water bodies, wells, and wetlands.

BMPs of NMPs #3: Calculating Soil Erosion, PI, SCI, and Management Strategies

In episode three of the BMPs of NMPs, Landon Baumgartner discusses soil conservation and nutrient management with Hava Blair and Andrea Topper. They explain the use of the SNAP Plus software, which incorporates the RUSLE2 equation to calculate soil loss, considering critical and predominant soil types.

BMPs of NMPs #2: Wisconsin’s 590 Nutrient Management Standard Today and Beyond

In the second episode of the BMPs of NMPs, Daniel Smith of UW-Madison Extension’s Nutrient and Pest Management program and Sara Walling of Clean Wisconsin talk about the current and future status of of Wisconsin’s 590 Nutrient Management Standard, adoption of these practices throughout the state, and our history of using the best available science to ensure farm profitability and sustainability.

BMPs of NMPs #1: Introduction to Nutrient Management Planning

This is a special series from Field Notes produced with the help of the Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) team at UW-Madison Extension and guest-hosted by Landon Baumgartner (Southwest Regional Outreach Specialist for NPM). Across six episodes, we dive into the fundamentals and best management practices (BMPs) of Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) in Wisconsin, so we couldn’t help by calling the series the BMPs of NMPs.

▶ Unlocking the Potential of Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Corn

Rubens Diogo, a postdoctoral research associate in the Ané Lab, UW–Madison Department of Bacteriology, shares groundbreaking research on enhancing biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in corn.

▶ Nitrogen Leaching: Trends, Risks and Regional Insights

Lindsey Hartfiel explores how nitrogen moves through soil and water systems, the impact of agricultural practices, and the importance of data-driven decision-making to mitigate nitrogen leaching.

▶ What You Can and Can’t Learn from a Nitrogen Response Curve

Dr. Matt Ruark, UW–Madison soil and nutrient cycling extension specialist, dives into the value and limitations of nitrogen response curves in on-farm research.

▶ Tools for Planning and Spreading Manure

Hava Blair walks through using two powerful tools for planning and managing manure applications in Wisconsin: SnapPlus Version 3 and the Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast.