Articles

Emerging Crops Lunch and Learn: Kernza

Priscila Pinto, postdoc researcher in the Picasso lab at UW-Madison, and Nicole Tautges, Agroecologist at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, WI, share their updates on Kernza perennial grain.

Understanding adjuvants used with agriculture chemicals

An adjuvant is a supplemental substance added to a spray mixture to enhance the performance and/or physical properties of the desired chemical. Using the correct adjuvant can have benefits such as reducing or eliminating spray application problems, which would improve the overall efficacy of the applied formulation.

Focus on corn silage

The first Focus on Forage session of 2023, Focus on Corn Silage, features Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Corn Agronomist, Dr. Damon Smith, UW Plant Pathology, and Kevin Jarek, UW-Madison, Division of Extension Crops/Soils Educator.

Field Notes Episode 5: Digital Agriculture

Data is the currency of the future. What does this look like for farmers? We sit down with Drs. Emily Bick, Extension-funded field and forage crop entomologist with University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Jim Eckberg, a scientist with General Mills, to find out. We talk on how sensors and imaging can help build back biodiversity and soils as well as how industry is working to spur the transition along.

Bale grazing: A winter feeding strategy

Many grazing operations across Wisconsin may look similar during the growing season, but what differentiates them is winter. Graziers employ a variety of winter feeding strategies. For those who choose to keep their livestock outdoors year-round, bale grazing is a common approach. In bale grazing, bales are placed on pasture, often pre-set in a grid pattern prior to winter.

Consider pests when planning your vegetable rotations

Wisconsin is one of the top states for commercial vegetable production.  With the diversity of crops available in a vegetable rotation, the puzzle pieces of locating each crop within the farm can be difficult to fit together each year. One of the factors to consider when planning your crop year is preventing pest problems.

Agricultural carbon credits: An overview for farmers and landowners

It seems like every week brings another story about carbon credits for farmers. There are many factors to consider before jumping in and enrolling your farm in a carbon program. So what is a carbon credit? A carbon credit is created from a carbon offset, which is an activity that prevents the emission of carbon dioxide or another greenhouse gas to the atmosphere that would otherwise be emitted. 

The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #36: Aronia Berry Markets

An interview with Dale Hilgenkamp and Dr. Dean Duval about current and future markets for aronia berries. Dale Hilgenkamp is an aronia farmer near Omaha, Nebraska and president of the American Aronia Berry Association (formerly the Midwest Aronia Association). Dr. Dean Duval is an aronia farmer in Castana, Iowa as well as a board member […]

The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #34: Hemp Research Updates

An interview with Dr. Heather Darby and Phillip Alberti on the latest in hemp research. Dr. Heather Darby is an Agronomy Specialist for University of Vermont Extension. Phillip Alberti is a Research Program Manager in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Resources University of Vermont Extension Hemp Research Reports Midwestern Hemp Database […]

The Cutting Edge Podcast Episode #35: A Ho-Chunk Perspective on Hemp

Forrest Funmaker of the Ho-Chunk Nation talks about the significant of their partnership with UW-Madison to conduct hemp variety trials at Whirling Thunder Farm near Tomah, Wisconsin. The partnership is made possible by a Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE) grant. Forrest Funmaker is the Agricultural Researcher and Education Manager of the Ho-Chunk Nation at […]