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 Wednesdays each month from April to October.
2025 Topics and Webinar Information
April 24: Spring Manure Special
- Precision Manure Application Using NIR Sensors with Becky Nelson
- 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/Update with Paul Mitchell
- Paul 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
- Francisco 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!
