Summer Garden Bugs – Pests of squash, pumpkins and other cucurbits |
And so, it begins… I checked some of my squash plants the other day and there they were as happy as can be. Two squash bugs enjoying their afternoon on the leaf of a buttercup squash. Upon further inspection, I found a cluster of their reddish-brown eggs nicely stacked on a stem. This is the time gardeners need to stay vigilant about checking their cucurbits (squash, melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, gourds) for summer pests. Here are the three main headliners looking for a cucurbit near you.
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Rosemary, a favorite herb |
Having trouble remembering where the car keys are? Grab a sprig of rosemary. It has a reputation for improving memory. Like most herbs, this Mediterranean native has a rich history in folklore. In the Middle Ages rosemary was used to protect against evil spirits. If placed beneath your pillow, it would ward off bad dreams. Today, rosemary symbolizes love and remembrance. Traditionally, sprigs are scattered on the grave of beloved family members to show that they will not be forgotten.
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2025 Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic Plant Disease Talks
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Each month in 2025, the UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) will sponsor a Zoom presentation on a plant disease-related topic. The presentations are free, but registration is needed. For descriptions and to register, go to PDDC Plant Disease Talks.
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Looking for more gardening information? Or want to ask a gardening question?
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If you're curious about buying a quarter, half, or even a whole beef animal locally, check out this short video by Regional Livestock educators Beth Mcilquham and Ryan Sterry on what you may expect back from the processor.
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In this report, we present the 2024 Wisconsin custom rates to facilitate negotiations because many farms rely on custom agricultural services. These rates are based on the 2024 Wisconsin Custom Rate Survey of Wisconsin farmers, farm managers and custom operators. This online survey launched in March 2025 and had 161 respondents who performed, hired or had knowledge of 2024 custom rates in Wisconsin. On average, 48% of respondents performed custom work, 31% paid for it, and 21% had knowledge of it. For this report, we excluded custom operations with insufficient responses and dropped survey responses from other states. The custom rates reported in this survey include fuel cost unless otherwise stated. In these tables, Average is the simple average of all reported rates, Range is the minimum and maximum reported values, and Responses is the number of usable responses.
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Why All The Fuss With The Plant Pathogen Fusarium graminearum? |
Fusarium graminearum is a globally distributed plant pathogen capable of causing plant diseases, Fusarium head blight of wheat and small grains and Gibberella ear rot of corn. Under conditions that are favorable for disease, such as warm and wet conditions, the disease can significantly impact yield and grain quality. The fungus can produce toxins referred to as vomitoxin, that can induce vomiting. However, farmers actively manage diseases to reduce this threat, and harvested grain is routinely tested for the toxin.
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Foundational Crop Scouting Training in May and June |
The Foundational Crop Scouting Training series is designed for entry-level crop scouts with limited or no scouting experience and anyone looking for a refresher course in basic scouting skills. We invite anyone looking for basic scout skills along with those working for crop consultants, industry agronomists, or ag service providers throughout Wisconsin to join us for this hybrid training opportunity. The program will provide crop scouts with the key foundational skills necessary for successfully scouting field crops including corn, soybeans and alfalfa.
Join us for weekly virtual lunch-and-learn webinars that introduce the fundamentals of field crop scouting and apply what you have learned with a half-day hands-on training in the field at one of the three University of Wisconsin Ag Research stations.
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Midwest Alfalfa Insect Regional Survey |
Alfalfa weevil was major issue in western Wisconsin in 2024. The University of Minnesota is leading a Midwest Alfalfa Insect Regional Survey to gather farmer input on alfalfa pest issues.
This survey is primarily meant to assess how farmers are managing alfalfa weevil after reports of resurgences of this pest in some areas of the Midwest to help guide future research and extension recommendations. This survey is also being used to assess needs for other alfalfa insect issues that may need additional focus in the future.
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Mid-season Crop & Pest Management Field Day |
Container Gardening Best Practices |
Thursday, July 3rd join Margaret at the Altoona Public Library for an evening program of planting containers for the library. We’ll create flowerpots and discuss best practices for caring for a container garden. Contact the Altoona Public Library for details.
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Prairie Walk with Margaret |
Saturday, July 12 at 10 am join Margaret and Master Naturalist, Sue Crisp for a walk around a prairie to see if we can find signs of animals who have passed through the area. In particular, we will be keeping an eye out for animal scat – yay – from scat you can tell who has used the area and maybe even what they have recently eaten. We’ll have plastic replicas of scat from common animals found in the park together with other materials that will prepare us for our investigative search for visitors to the prairie.
| Forage & Nitrogen Management Field Day |
UW - Madison Division of Extension Cow-Calf & Fall Forage Twilight Meeting |
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Make plans to attend the UW-Madison Division of Extension Cow-Calf & Fall Forage Twilight Meeting on September 9, 2025, from 5 –7 pm at Wolf Creek Angus, 35431 100th St., Stanley, WI. Together, our host farm, the North Central WI Cattlemen’s Association and Extension Educators will discuss Selecting Herd Replacements: considerations including using phenotypes and genomics to build your herd, and Fall Forage Management: from fall fertilizer application, soil sampling and feed inventory.
This event is free, but RSVP is required by calling Extension Taylor County at 715-748-1413 by August 18 so we can plan materials and snacks. Please come prepared: this is a rain or shine event with walking involved: bring rain gear and your own lawn chair for seating. Wear clean, washable footwear and you will be expected to follow the farm’s biosecurity regarding footwear and travel/walking on the farm.
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Save the date: Save a Calf, Save a Cow calving school for dairy and beef producers |
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Connect with us on our websites to learn more, stay updated and get in touch!
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The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.
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