A “Focus on Forage” webinar series for farmers, agronomists, and other industry service providers, where they learned about growing and managing alternative forages to include: species selection, N fertilization, residual soil N following grass forages. The use of grasses helps to improve both water quality and animal performance. Topics included: “Are Forage Cocktail Mixes a […]

May 26 2022 Alfalfa Quality Report May 23, 2022 Alfalfa Quality Report May 16 & 19, 2022 Alfalfa Quality Report

Michael Ballweg, Regional Crops and Soils Agent  An educational program for farmers, industry agronomists and dairy nutritionists where they learned about the environmental benefits of utilizing grasses for dairy rations, better alfalfa winter survival when seeded with perennial grass and improved animal health when grasses are included in dairy cow diets. The goal is to […]

Mike Ballweg, Agriculture Agent Educational programs and field days were held in partnership with the Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers where farmers and industry agronomists learned about using cover crops, planting green, and no-tilling to improve water quality and soil health. An established 51,000 lbs. of phosphors may have been prevented from leaving farm fields due […]

Mike Ballweg, Agriculture Agent Monitoring the quality of alfalfa growth and development is important each year and 2021 was no exception. The yearly weather variations result in optimal harvest dates ranging anywhere from May 18th to June 10th depending on the annual growing conditions. Alfalfa quality may be reduced by 3-5 points per day in […]

Mike Ballweg, Agriculture Agent Being a Master Gardener is about becoming a volunteer with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension to help educate the public about horticulture, gardening and natural resources. Master Gardener Volunteers work in tandem with Extension staff to deliver meaningful community programs to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. There […]

Mike Ballweg, Agriculture Agent A field day for farmers, industry agronomists, and agency personnel where they learned about best practices for terminating cover crops that normally do not overwinter in WI. Terminating cover crops in a timely manner prevents a seed bank of these species that may become competitive against the desired grain crop thereby […]

Mike Ballweg and Extension Colleagues from across Wisconsin developed and implemented a series of webinars called Focus on Forage. This series addressed forage production practices that improve dairy’s economic vitality while enhancing environmental stewardship. Forage crops are the backbone of Wisconsin’s $45.6 billion dairy industry, representing 16.4% of Wisconsin’s total, and generating 154,000 jobs. The […]

Approximately 90 area farmers and industry agronomists attended the virtual 2021 Agronomy Day to learn about cropping systems research to improve crop profitability while protecting and improving our soil and water natural resources. This long-standing educational program was well received despite its virtual format. UW-Madison Extension faculty presenting at the 2021 Agronomy Day program included: […]