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 

-Save the Date for a Calving Workshop!: The University of Wisconsin Division of Extension is offering a Save A Calf, Save A Cow workshop series for dairy and beef producers, and dairy workers (in Spanish). This workshop provides information and techniques to boost your confidence in preparing the cow for calving, obstetric techniques and newborn calf care. There will be a Zoom session and an in-person session. The Zoom session opportunities will be on November 5 and 6. The in-person session opportunities will be on November 12 in Gays Mills and November 13 in Darlington. More information will be in next month's newsletter. 

-Lambing Workshop in Menomonie: Although Menononie is a good distance from most living in the Driftless area, I wanted to include this learning opportunity anyway. This workshop discusses biosecurity, lambing time nutrition, lamb processing and bottle lambs, recordkeeping, and more! Learn more on the UW-Madison Extension Livestock wepage. 

-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. in livestock, but more information can be found here. Theileria, a parasite carried by Asian Longhorned Ticks, was confirmed in Iowa. To learn more about this tick and it's parasite, check out this recorded webinar. For animal owners of all kinds, please evalutate your biosecurity protocols, including pest management.

Notes from your Regional Crops and Soils Educator - Anastasia Kurth

We are experiencing our first blast of fall air as we begin the month. Harvest is right around the corner. Silage choppers will be out this month. If you suspect any disease present in your field, read suggestions from Dr. Damon Smith about managing corn disease at chopping. As always, stay alert to weather forecasts and agronomic considerations provided weekly in AgWOW reports. If you have any questions or concerns going into silage harvest, do not hesitate to reach out. This month will also signal time to plant winter wheat. The optimal planting date range is September 15 - October 10 with seeding rates increasing as dates get later. Have a great September! 

Consider being a National Weather Service Citizen Scientist! The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network is looking for additional sites for rain gauges and weather observations. Learn more about the program. There is a special promotion for $8 off a rain gauge through Sep 10 (WISCOCO8). They need additional sites in Richland County!      

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. I am happy to help design a project.  

Happy bees on a blooming sunflower. 

Animal disease outbreask are common headlines today. Taking small steps now can pay off in the long run. 

The Wisconsin Schools of Grazing offer unique, hands-on educational experiences designed to empower graziers with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage pasture-based livestock systems.

It’s no secret that weaning is arguably the most stressful time in a beef calves’ life. Calves build strong maternal bonds with their mothers over the 6+ months they are tagging along until they are weaned.

Don't miss the 2025 Wisconsin Extension Weed Management Workshop!

Register HERE. 

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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