Notes from the Field: A Growers Perspective – Ben Kraus Chat #10
This week we will hear about Gwenyn Hill Farm’s (Waukesha) peach, elderberry, apples and Asian pear harvest.
Articles
▶ Cranberry Heat Stress
Watch the recording of the July 2025 Cranberry Brown Bag webinar on the topic heat stress.
▶ Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program 2025 Updates
Lindsey Rushford, nitrogen optimization program outreach specialist with UW–Madison Extension, provides updates on the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) for 2025.
▶ Evaluating MRTN Rates for Corn Grain and Silage After Manure Application
Jerry Clark, regional crops educator, presents findings from the first year of a statewide research project evaluating Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) rates for corn grain and silage following manure application.
▶ How Does Nitrate Leaching Respond to Nitrogen Inputs from Fertilizer and Manure?
Dr. Steven Hall, assistant professor and extension cropping systems and water quality specialist, explores how nitrate leaching responds to nitrogen inputs from both synthetic fertilizer and manure in Wisconsin cropping systems.
▶ August 28 Ag Weather Outlook for Wisconsin
Josh Bendorf from the Wisconsin State Climatology Office provides a detailed update on weather conditions across the state as of August 28, 2025.
Managing Rust in Cool Season Pastures
Rusts are a fact of life in many temperate, cool season pastures, and there is no silver bullet for controlling it. It does have an impact on palatability, quality, and yield of pasture grasses, but impacts can be mitigated through a combination of cultural and mechanical practices.
▶ Cranberry Weed Management
Watch the recording of the June 2025 Cranberry Brown Bag webinar on the topic of weed management.
▶ Practices to Optimize the Nutritive Value of Corn Silage
Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, associate professor and extension ruminant nutrition specialist at UW–Madison, shares expert insights on optimizing the nutritive value of corn silage to support dairy cow performance.
▶ Explore the New Corn Silage Dry Down Monitoring Tool
Liz Gartman, regional crops educator with UW–Madison Extension, introduces the new Corn Silage Dry Down Monitoring Tool developed to help growers track whole plant moisture and optimize harvest timing.
▶ The Agronomic Fit of Short Corn as a BMR Alternative
Dr. Harkirat Kaur, assistant professor and extension corn production systems specialist at UW–Madison, explores the agronomic potential of short corn hybrids as an alternative to Brown Midrib (BMR) corn for silage.
▶ August 14 Ag Weather Outlook for Wisconsin
Josh Bendorf from the Wisconsin State Climatology Office provides a detailed update on weather conditions across the state as of August 14, 2025.