The second Focus on Forage webinar in the 2026 series, Focus on Forage Research, features research updates on on-farm NIR instruments, alfalfa yield and persistence, and forage quality and yield.
Presenters are Phil Goldblatt, Dairyland Laboratories NIR manager; Mike Bertram, UW–Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station superintendent; and Liz Gartman, Extension regional crops educator for Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington Counties.
Expand each section below for recordings of and resources related to each talk. To find more information about the Focus on Forage webinar series, visit the Focus on Forage website.
Setting Expectations for On-Farm NIR Instruments
Presented by: Phil Goldblatt, Dairyland Laboratories
Phil Goldblatt of Dairyland Labs explains how to properly set expectations for on‑farm NIR (near‑infrared) instruments used to analyze forage quality. He walks through how NIR technology works, why calibrations matter, and how different devices vary widely in accuracy, features, and price.
Phil compares multiple portable NIR tools to lab‑grade instruments and demonstrates that while on‑farm NIR performs very well for moisture, it shows 2–3 times higher error for nutrients such as starch, NDF, and crude protein due to moisture variation and inconsistent particle size. He also shares results showing that portable NIR can match lab performance only when scanning dried and ground samples.
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Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Project: 2025 Update
Presented by: Mike Bertram, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Get the 2025 update on the Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Project with Mike Bertram, UW–Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station superintendent. This video highlights 19 years of alfalfa yield data, stand persistence trends, cutting schedules, and record‑setting dry matter yields across Wisconsin. Learn how weather, field age, and management influence alfalfa productivity, along with insights on forage quality, multi‑year stand performance, and new research on winterkill genetics.
Optimizing Forage Quality and Yield in Wisconsin: 2025 Project Update
Presented by: Liz Gartman, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Learn how Wisconsin growers can improve forage quality, boost yield, and make better harvest‑timing decisions in this 2025 project update with Liz Gartman, UW–Madison Extension regional crops educator.
Liz covers first‑crop alfalfa management, PEAQ stick accuracy, winter cereal forage quality, and how variable May weather impacts yield. She also shares statewide scissor‑cut data, key nutrient findings, and insights to help dairy and livestock producers optimize forage production throughout the season.
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