Division of Extension
Extension specialists and educators provide timely resources and information to help Wisconsin crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Francisco Arriaga explores how manure affects soil hydrology, phosphorus runoff, and organic matter levels.
Kevin Erb covers trends in manure application, transportation risks, dragline safety, spill containment procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Lindsey Rushford, nitrogen optimization program outreach specialist with UW–Madison Extension, provides updates on the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) for 2025.
