Badger Crop Connect
About Badger Crop Connect
The Badger Crop Connect series provides agronomists, crop consultants, and farmers with timely crop updates for Wisconsin. CEUs are available by topic for each presentation.
Recordings for on-demand viewing are available on the Divison of Extension’s YouTube channel or by expanding the Recordings tab below. To receive emails about upcoming webinar topics, recorded video availability, and other training opportunities and resources, sign up below.
Webinars are held at 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays each month from April to October.
2025 Topics and Webinar Information
May 8: Spring Forage Special
Pricing Standing Forage
with Kevin Jarek
Every growing season across the state of Wisconsin, farmers purchase standing alfalfa from other farmers to bolster their forage/feed supplies. Ideally, all of this purchased alfalfa would be weighed as it is harvested to ensure both parties are treated fairly in any formal agreement, however, not all farms have access to drive-over scales. Kevin Jarek, regional crops and soils educator will share how both parties can determine a fair value for standing alfalfa whether it is a single cutting or for the entire season.
Alfalfa Pest Updates
with Emily Bick
In this talk, we will explore the latest updates on alfalfa pests, focusing on their identification, impact, and management strategies. Special attention will be given to the alfalfa weevil, whose larvae cause significant damage by defoliating new growth, thereby affecting crop yield and quality.
Spring Grazing Checklist
with Jason Cavadini
A long grazing season with pastures that remain productive deep into fall requires a few critical springtime measures. This session will cover when to begin grazing, how to take a forage inventory, and how to manage pastures for optimal forage intake.
April 24: Spring Manure Special
Precision Manure Application Using NIR Sensors with Becky Larson
Near-Infrared (NIR) sensors for precision manure application enable real-time nutrient analysis and variable-rate spreading with the goal of optimizing crop production and reducing environmental impacts and operational burdens. Dr. Larson’s presentation will cover the technology’s sensor performance in comparison to laboratory manure analysis as well as field impacts when integrated into manure application systems when compared to traditional fixed rate application systems. This includes data from recent field trials on the impact to crop productivity in addition to the other system benefits and challenges.
Manure N Credits
with Natasha Rayne
Dr. Rayne explores how to calculate and apply manure nitrogen credits to meet crop need while reducing the need for commercial fertilizers. Her presentation will cover the factors that influence nitrogen availability from manure and explore possible gaps and opportunities to improve nitrogen availability estimates from manure.
Trends in WI Manure Micronutrients
with Chris Clark
Is Wisconsin liquid dairy manure meeting row crop micronutrient needs? Chris will share 29-years of Manure: Micronutrient Trends and Insights.
April 10: 2025 Outlooks and Updates
2025 Weather Outlook
with Steve Vavrus
Steve Vavrus will provide a retrospective description of past weather conditions leading up to the present and a weather outlook for the upcoming growing season.
2025 Market Outlook and Update
with Paul Mitchell
Dr. Mitchell will give a brief update on the farm economy, including an update on expected margins for corn and soybeans and recent data on the financial status of farms, as well as a quick overview of management options farmers can still implement for the 2025 crop.
Soil Conditions Status and Spring Soil Management with Francisco Arriaga
Dr. Arriaga will provide a status of current soil conditions in the state and management decisions to effectively navigate soil condition challenges.
More topics to be announced. Sign up for our email list to receive updates directly to your inbox!
