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.

Our Next Webinar

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.

2025 Topics and Recordings

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. Rebecca Larson’s presentation covers 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.

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Manure N Credits with Natasha Rayne

Dr. Natasha Rayne explores how to calculate and apply manure nitrogen credits to meet crop need while reducing the need for commercial fertilizers. Her presentation covers the factors that influence nitrogen availability from manure and explore possible gaps and opportunities to improve nitrogen availability estimates from manure.

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Trends in WI Manure Micronutrients with Chris Clark

Is Wisconsin liquid dairy manure meeting row crop micronutrient needs? Chris Clark shares 29 Years of Manure: Micronutrient Trends and Insights.

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April 10: 2025 Outlooks and Updates

2025 Weather Outlook with Steve Vavrus

Steve Vavrus provides a retrospective description of past weather conditions leading up to the present and a weather outlook for the upcoming growing season.

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2025 Market Outlook and Update with Paul Mitchell

Dr. Paul Mitchell gives 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.

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Soil Conditions Status and Spring Soil Management with Francisco Arriaga

Dr. Francisco Arriaga provides a status of current soil conditions in the state and management decisions to effectively navigate soil condition challenges.

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More topics to be announced. Sign up for our email list to receive updates directly to your inbox!