This newsletter is co-written by your local UW-Madison Extension Ag Educators, Beth McIlquham (livestock) and Anastasia Kurth (crops and soils). 

Notes from your Regional Livestock Educator - Beth McIlquham 

-Swath Grazing - Beef Cow Alternative Winter Feeding Strategy: Planning for winter feed is an important step in beef cattle operations. Alternatives include stockpiling, corn stalk grazing, and bale grazing. Swath grazing (also known as windrow grazing) has recently gained interest as an additional option. To learn more, visit the UW-Madison Extension Livestock wesbite. 

-Defining Success for Reproduction and Calf Crop Performance: Profitability for most commercial cow-calf operations depends on the pounds weaned and marketed from each calf crop. Encouraging farms to develop a record-keeping system is often half the battle (you can’t manage what you don’t measure); however, records must also be used for decision making to maximize their value. Learn more on the UW-Madison Extension Livestock Website. 

-Disease Digest: The UW-Madison Extension Livestock team has created a webpage that houses resources and information on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. There have been no cases of New World Screwworm in the U.S., but more information can be found here. Theileria, a parasite carried by Asian Longhorned Ticks, was confirmed in Iowa. For animal owners of all kinds, please evalutate your biosecurity protocols, including pest management.

Notes from your Regional Crops and Soils Educator - Anastasia Kurth

Welcome to August! Winter wheat harvest is well underway in the state with most in the area already finished. This is a great time to establish cover crops if you have the opportunity. Overall, crops throughout the county are looking great as we have had favorable conditions moving into reproductive stages. Check out the many upcoming field days and events!  

Are you interested in receiving funding to conduct a nitrogen trial on your farm? Read more about the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) and submit an application. 

Follow the Badger Crop Network to receive the latest updates from Extension Agronomy Professors.

Rotational grazing and virtual fencing at work.  

Considering a shift from dairy to beef? Learn how forage needs, land use, and cow nutrition differ across beef enterprises.

Cattle need both macrominerals and microminerals. Here’s a look at the benefits these supplements provide and the different ways they can be offered to the herd.

There are multiple locations and dates for these workshops. Click the button below for more information. 

Beth McIlquham 

Regional Livestock Educator

Email: beth.mcilquham@wisc.edu

Phone: (608) 632-0599

Anastasia Kurth

Regional Crops and Soils Educator

Email: anastasia.kurth@wisc.edu

Phone: 608-477-3018

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