Focus on Forage is a free, four-part webinar series highlighting research-based information and farmer strategies to optimize forage yield, quality, and profitability in Wisconsin hosted by the UW–Madison Division of Extension. This series continues in 2026 starting on February 5 at 12:30 p.m. 

Join forage industry experts, UW–Madison specialists, and Extension educators from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays in February for discussions on forage management, research, grazing, and cover crops.  

This webinar is of interest to farmers (field crop and dairy), crop advisors, animal science professionals and students interested in forage management and research. Certified Crop Advisor CEUs and ARPAS credits (where applicable) will be available for each webinar.  

More information on each session and registration link can be found online.

Feb. 5 | Focus on Forage Management: Dr. Marta Kohmann, Dr. Natasha Rayne, and Dr. Luiz Ferraretto (UW–Madison Departments of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, Soil and Environmental Sciences, and Animal and Dairy Sciences) will present on forage management topics including winterkill in alfalfa, nutrient management considerations, and feeding considerations without BMR corn.  

Feb. 12 | Focus on Forage Research: Phil Goldblatt (Dairyland Laboratories), Mike Bertram (UW–Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station), and Liz Gartman (UW–Madison Extension) will present on forage research topics including expectations for on-farm NIR instruments, 2025 updates from the Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Project, and 2025 updates from the Optimizing Forage Quality and Yield in Wisconsin Project. 

Feb. 19 | Focus on Managed Grazing: Jason Cavadini (UW–Madison Extension), Dr. David Jaramillo (USDA-ARS Dairy Forage Research Center), and Stephanie Bowers (UW–Madison Extension) will cover managed grazing topics including pasture species selection and identification, economics of pasture-raised heifers, and virtual fencing. 

Feb. 26 | Focus on Forage Cover Crops: Dr. Lisa Kissing-Kucek (USDA-ARS Dairy Forage Research Center), Dan Marzu (UW–Madison Extension), and Bill Powel-Smith (LandCares) will discuss forage cover crop topics including cover crop species and varieties for forage and grain systems, Wisconsin cover crop forage quality data, and using forage cover crops in dairy cow diets. 

To read more about each webinar and register, visit go.wisc.edu/FocusOnForage.