Hello and congratulations on receiving your first Richland County Ag Update! 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 

-Beef Quality Assurance (BQA): Certification expires every three years. If you were certified in 2021 or 2022, it may be time to think about getting re-certfied. Online and in-person trainings are provided. Note that in-person trainings require registration. More information can be found at https://go.wisc.edu/jmhp50. If you are unsure of your certification status, please visit www.bqa.org/contact-us or call (303) 850-3473. 

-Assessing Winter Feed Needs: After a challenging growing season, it may be a good idea to get your winter feeds tested to ensure that your animal's are getting the nutrients they need. If you have cow's, keep in mind that 75% of fetal growth happens in the third trimester. Providing adequate nutrition during that time is key. Below, Anastasia shares information about the UW Soil and Forage Lab where you can get your winter feeds tested. 

-Disease Digest: By now, most people have heard of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. To date, there have been no cases detected in Wisconsin that contain the genotype associated with dairy cattle in other states. Within the equine section of the world, an unvaccinated gelding in Marathon County recently tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. For animal owners of all kinds, evaluate your biosecurity protocols to see if they are working for you. More information about biosecurity can be found here.

Notes from your Regional Crops and Soils Educator - Anastasia Kurth

-Harvest is here! After a wet spring and late summer dry period, crops are maturing fast. Above normal temperatures are speeding up maturity in corn and soybean. October is projected to be above average for temperature. Soybean harvest is just beginning, and corn will not be far behind. Please be safe during this busy time of year! 

-Fall is a great time to soil sample! After harvest, consider taking routine soil samples to help with nutrient management. Questions about soil sampling? Reach out and ask. 

How does soil sampling affect lab results?

UW Soil and Forage Lab

State-Certified Soil Labs 

-Interested in doing on-farm research? Extension is always looking for farmers willing to try new things! Whether you are curious, have a recurring issue, or just want to try something different, let me know. Check out UW's Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program here to learn more. There are other opportunities available as well. 

 -Producer-led watershed groups are great ways to connect, learn, and obtain funding for conservation practices. Richland County does not have a group, but it would be highly beneficial to explore the opportunity. Please reach out if you have interest! Per DATCP rules, a minimum of 5 farmers in the same watershed need to have interest. Check out the program here and discover which watershed you are in.

Drone-seeding a winter camelina cover crop plot over soybean - Juneau County. A great example of on-farm research. 

Alfalfa harvest timing is key to productivity and persistence. Read this article and check out UW's new Alfalfa Cutting Tool! 

Seller repuation is often included in discussions on traits that influence feeder calf prices. Yet, historically it has not had a value assigned to it as many other traits have.

Hear from dairy goat producers and experts in their field to learn more about livestock and environmental impact. 

There are many things to consider before deciding to raise or purchase replacement heifers. Do you know what works for you?

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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Thank you and enjoy! 

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