Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The small jewels of the sky and the garden! |
Photo Credit: Susan Mahr, UW Madison Division of Extension
|
The other day I watched a hummingbird hover outside the living room window. He flew up and down, backwards and then off like a shot out of view. I’m not sure what held his interest for that brief moment, but his presence made me feel slightly guilty since I haven’t yet hung up the hummingbird feeder.
Our visitor was the ruby-throated hummingbird. The male has an emerald green back, a white breast and, of course, a ruby-red throat. The female looks similar except she lacks the red throat patch. The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the smallest birds in North America. It measures just over three inches in length and weighs but a whisper (about one-tenth of an ounce).
There is just something special about seeing a hummingbird. I think it is partly due to the incredible speed at which they move. They can fly at top speed and then stop on a dime. Hummingbirds can appear to remain motionless in midair but know that they are furiously beating their wings. The ruby-throated hummingbird can beat its wings about 53 times a second. Plus, it’s fun to watch how precisely they maneuver. They can fly up, down, sideways, and backwards.
|
June 17-23, 2024, is Pollinator Week. To kick off the week, join Margaret Murphy, Regional Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, Sue Crisp, for a tour through the pollinator-friendly gardens at Lake Wissota State Park on Saturday, June 15 starting at 10 a.m. Meet in the parking lot near the park office.
.
.
.
Looking for information on pollinators, visit https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/pollinators/
|
Growing Vegetables in Containers |
Vegetable Varieties for Containers |
Plant Problems to Watch for in 2024 |
Spring is Tick Season in Wisconsin |
|
|
Managing Alfalfa Weevil in Wisconsin Alfalfa Fields |
Alfalfa weevil larvae on a hand. Photo credit: Krista Hamilton, DATCP.
|
What is alfalfa, and what are alfalfa weevils?
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a valuable forage crop in Wisconsin, that supports dairy and livestock production. However, alfalfa production can be threatened by the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica), a beetle pest that can significantly damage alfalfa foliage if left unmanaged.
What do alfalfa weevils look like?
Larvae: The larvae are legless, green caterpillar-look-alikes with a white stripe along the center of their backs and a black head capsule. They are approximately ¼ to 3⁄8 inches long when fully grown
Adults: Alfalfa Weevil adults are typically small, grayish-brown beetles with elongated snouts. They measure about ¼ inches long and have distinctive longitudinal stripes on their backs.
|
Pesticide Applicator Training |
Training manuals are only available for purchase through the University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training state office in Madison. Local county extension offices do not have manuals for sale for any training category. You need to purchase your training manual from the state office https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/17 and scroll down to the Private Applicator Training section and then “General Farming”, “Fruit Crops”, or “Greenhouse and Nursery. If you need to order via a paper form to order your manual, please contact the Extension Office.
Cost is $43.00 for the training manual. When you receive your training manual, you will also be provided more information about training options. These training options are also listed below. You must purchase the manual before taking any training or testing options.
1. Online Video Training. These online videos can take the place of in-person or ZOOM training for the General Farm category. They will cover the same material as the in-person sessions. You will need to have a computer, a good internet connection, email, and audio capabilities. You will be sent a link to the training. Once started you have 14 days to complete the training. You will receive one completion certificate that must be shown to the test proctor to be graded at 50%. You will need to take the Exam in person at a participating County Extension Office or online with Pearson VUE (see item 4.). You can register at here and need to have purchased the manual https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4DVfjmVBmP1ZRA You have 14 days to complete the training once you start the training.
2. A self-study option, is also available. For this option, you need to order the manual and when ready to take the test, contact a county extension office to set up an appointment to take the certification test. This option requires a passing score of 70%.
3. If interested in taking the test online, an option exists with a private company. Pearson Vue provides your results immediately and you get your credentials within 3 business days. Tests with Pearson Vue are $45.00 per test. https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/17
|
|
|
Winter Barley and Rye Cover Crop Field Day
|
Jerry Clark and Becky Brathal
|
Join Regional Educators Becky Brathal (Pierce, St. Croix, Barron) and Jerry Clark (Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire) for a casual field day to view winter barley variety trials. Winter barley can serve as potential addition to a cropping system for the brewing industry as well as a cover crop. Winter rye management will also be discussed.
.
.
.
Address: 4348 County Rd M, New Auburn, WI 54757
Time: 10:30am- 12pm
When: June 13th, 2024
|
Irvine Park Native Wildflower Sanctuary
|
|
|
Sign up for Wisconsin Ag Climate Outlook Emails
|
Extension Free Gardening Webinars
|
Soybean and Soil Health Study
|
UW Crop Enterprise Budget Tool
|
Sign up for Insect Pest Text Alerts
|
|
|
This newsletter is a contributional effort from the following UW-Madison Extension Educators:
|
|
|
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
711 N. Bridge Street Rm. 013 | Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
