Featured in this monthly newsletter are several webinars, resources, and articles to help you plan your 2026 growing season. Additionally, browse on-farm research opportunities and upcoming events. Read below and visit our website to learn more.

2026 Pesticide Prep: Sprayer Calibration Tips and Certification Reminders for Wisconsin Applicators

As we approach the growing season, it’s time to make sure your equipment is properly calibrated for 2026 pesticide applications. Proper calibration is essential to ensure the pesticide is applied uniformly at the correct rate.

Biomass Thresholds for Cereal Rye Cover Crop Goals

Ultimately, the effectiveness of a cover crop depends on one critical factor: the amount of biomass it produces. The biomass required is different depending on the goal for the cover crop. What’s adequate for erosion control may not be enough for weed suppression. It’s also essential to consider the trade-offs between increasing cover crop biomass and managing the cash crop.  

Processing Crops Meeting Brings Researchers, Farmers, and Agribusiness Together

Despite a historic March snowstorm, processing crop farmers and researchers showed up ready to talk planting season. From cover crops to conservation partnerships with the potato industry, this year's Central Wisconsin Processing Crops Meeting delivered. Here's what was discussed, and why you'll want to be there next year!

Strategic Farming: The battle against waterhemp just got more complicated

Dr. Rodrigo Werle weighs in on this University of Minnesota Extension news piece on herbicide resistant waterhemp across the midwest.

The Seasonality of Soil Sampling: Understanding Variability in P and K Test Results

Routine soil sampling is a critical component of any nutrient management plan. When factors like economics and sustainability come into play, both cost and environmental impact can be reduced by applying accurate fertilizer rates. Soil testing remains one of the most valuable tools available to guide these application rates, but unpredictability in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) soil test levels can complicate the management of these nutrients.

Smart Potassium Management

Crop removal of potassium (K) is high in common Wisconsin crops like alfalfa, corn silage, and high-yielding soybeans. When soil test levels slip too low, yields and crop quality can both suffer. Recent University of Wisconsin research updates reinforce one clear message: potassium is one of the best nutrient investments on the farm when managed wisely.

DATCP Announces 2026 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program Grant Recipients

Wisconsin’s DATCP awarded $764,300 to 18 projects through the 2026 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. These grants empower 24 producers to partner with UW–Madison Extension for on-farm trial and outreach support. Discover how this collaboration advances sustainable nitrogen management to protect our state’s vital soil and water resources.

2026 Focus on Forage Recordings Available

Missed our free, four-part forage webinar series in February? No worries — catch up on recordings below:

Boots on the Ground Version 2: AI-Driven Tools for Maximizing Soybean Yield and Profitability

Boots on the Ground Version 2: AI-Driven Tools for Maximizing Soybean Yield and Profitability includes two different projects for farmers and agronomists to explore opportunities to optimize soybean cropping systems: agronomic management comparisons and field scouting alert systems.

SlugNet: Monitor Slug Populations in Wisconsin Field Crops

Slugs are becoming an increasingly challenging pest for Wisconsin farmers, due to greater adoption of conservation cropping practices and milder winters and wetter springs. To improve our understanding of slug pressure across the state and how we can manage them, UW–Madison Extension launched SlugNet, a statewide initiative to monitor slug populations in field crops. 

Field to Feed Workshop: Agronomy and Nutrition Considerations for Corn and Soybean

March 27 | Jefferson

Farmers are invited to attend an educational workshop designed to help dairy farmers and consultants better connect crop production and animal nutrition on Friday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cold Climate Wine Grapes: Shoot Thinning and Fungal Disease Management Research Update

March 27: Online via Zoom

Courtney Meeks is a PhD Candidate in the UW–Madison Department of Plant Pathology, Holland Lab. Over time, fungal pathogens, specifically those effecting fruits, have become her main area of interest. Her previous research projects have examined pecan and peach pathogens in Georgia. Her current research focuses on the Wisconsin grape industry through spray program development and assessment of fungicide resistance.

Badger Crop Connect Webinar Series

Begins April 9 at 12:30 p.m.
April – Oct., Second and Fourth Thursdays of the month

Get real-time expert management tips for your or your clients’ fields. Join our webinars to hear from UW–Madison corn, soybean, small grain, and forage management researchers throughout the Wisconsin growing season. Earn free CCA credits for every webinar you attend.

Vegetable Production Winter Webinar Series

April 1: Produce Safety Considerations in Irrigation

Join us for four engaging conversations with experts who will share their research, successes, and challenges when designing irrigation systems and what it means for produce safety concerns.

Emerging Berry Crops Winter Webinar Series

April 2: Farmer Panel

Join Extension's emerging crops staff in three winter webinars to dive into growing four emerging berry crops in Wisconsin — day-neutral strawberries, table grapes, elderberries, and currants — and hear from farmers who grow them. Webinars are free and online, but registration is required.

Nutrient Management Planning 101

Union Grove | 1 – 4 p.m.

Please join us for an educational workshop focusing on an introduction to nutrient management planning and tools that are available to assist with writing a plan. This event is open to all, targeting farmers, CCA’s, and landowners interested in learning more about developing a 590 – Nutrient Management Plan.

SnapPlus Version 3 Webinar Training Series

Begins April 21
April – July: Various Dates from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join Extension and DATCP to walk through some of the newest features in SnapPlus Version 3 (V3). Each free webinar will have a 45-60 minute tutorial on a new SnapPlus feature, followed by a 30 minute open office hour where participants will have the ability to meet one-on-one with staff to ask specific questions and get additional information. Webinar topics include adding crops, setting rotations, understanding planting and application seasons; nutrient systems and template building; annual updates; silurian bedrock plan features; winter manure applications; and grazing.

Wisconsin Vegetable Crop Update Newsletter

Veggie producers, sign up to receive tailored updates from the UW–Madison Departments of Plant Pathology, Entomology, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, and Soil and Environmental Science. 

Sign up by contacting Dr. Amanda Gevens.

Wisconsin Fruit News

Fruit producers, sign up to receive tailored updates from the UW–Madison Fruit Program. Sign up and read more here.

Field Notes - DATCP's Pest Survey Program Newsletter

Sign up to receive pest monitoring data and maps, current articles on economically important plant pests affecting Wisconsin's field crops, fruits, vegetables, nurseries, and forests. Sign up on DATCP's website or read newsletters on the web here.  

UW–Madison Division of Extension Crops and Soils Program

Find articles, resources, educational events and more at cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.

Partially supported by National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection and Pest Management-Extension Implementation Program award number 2024-70006-43559.