IN THIS ISSUE OF AG UPDATE
- Cutting Costs in Low Margin Years: Should I Drop my Soybean Seed Treatment?
- Managing Mycotoxins in Dairy Feed: Field to Feedout
- What Should I Plant In My Pasture?
- Field Notes Episodes 24: Generational & Organic Farming Transitions
- How to Use Crowd Gates to Your Advantage While Promoting Animal Welfare
- Dr. Paul Fricke to Host Panel on Higher Fertility Success with Wisconsin Dairy Farmers
- A Base Change for Bull Proofs is Coming... in April 2025
- Purposes, Process and Resources for Organic Transition
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Dodge County Forage Council Annual Meeting | Pizza Ranch, Beaver Dam
March 7, 2025, 10:00am - 2:00pm, to view brochure click HERE
Calving Management and Neonate Workshop | Fond du Lac Cty Highway Dept, Fond du Lac
March 13 & 14, 2025, 9:00am - 3:00pm, English & Spanish Sessions, to register click HERE
Dairy Feeder School | Dane Cty Extension Bldg, Madison & FDL Cty Highway Dept, Fond du Lac
March 19 & 26, 2025, 10:00am - 1:30pm, to register click HERE
The Grandin Papers: Meet Dr. Temple Grandin | Stock Pavilion,UW Madison Campus, Madison
April 11, 2025, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, to register click HERE
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Cutting Costs in Low Margin Years: Should I Drop my Soybean Seed Treatment?
From State Soybean Specialist Shawn Conley’s post about early planted soybean management from last year, soybean seed treatments should only be used in some early planted soybean situations and/or if you have a history of or have scouted for an insect (i.e. Bean leaf beetle) or a pathogen (i.e. SDS) that exceeds economic thresholds. For a deeper dig check out the following:
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Managing Mycotoxins in Dairy Feed: Field to Feedout
Preventing mycotoxin contamination in corn silage requires a multi-pronged approach, including field management, proper harvesting, ensiling techniques, and strategic feeding practices. Regular testing and proactive adjustments can help maintain silage quality and safeguard animal health and performance. By following these guidelines, farmers can minimize the risks posed by mycotoxins and ensure a healthier, more productive livestock feed supply.
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What Should I Plant In My Pasture?
One of the most common questions that grazing planners and technical service providers get is “What should I plant in my pasture?” The forage base is the foundation of successful managed grazing, and building a robust pasture should be a high priority for every grazing operation. Learn below how to find a mix tailored to your farm.
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Field Notes Episode 24: Generational & Organic Farming Transitions
Transitioning a farm with the bumps and successes along the way. Darren Eichelkraut farms on a 50 cow organic dairy with his family, including his dad, Junior Eichelkraut, right next to Paoli, Wisconsin. Darren and Junior tell us the story about how Junior transitioned the farm to organic, allowing Darren to come back to and eventually take over the farm.
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How to Use Crowd Gates to Your Advantage While Promoting Animal Welfare
Using the crowd gate properly benefits both cows and dairy farm workers, while also improving the efficiency of the operation. It helps keep cows moving smoothly towards the milking parlor, making the milking process faster and more efficient. However, there are some common mistakes that can happen if operators aren’t familiar with the right way to use them. These include overcrowding the holding area, using the gate to force the cows instead of just guiding them, and having workers chase cows inside the holding area. These mistakes can increase stress for the cows and reduce milk production. The crowd gate should be used as a tool to improve both animal welfare and efficiency on the farm. Learn below how to change these habits and improve the well-being of your cows.
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Dr. Paul Fricke to Host Panel on Higher Fertility Success with Wisconsin Dairy Farmers
To help Wisconsin Dairy Farmers, Veterinarians, & Dairy Consultants to get the most current and up to date research information, the UW-Extension Dairy program is having a live producer panel on Tuesday, March 18th. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Paul Fricke. Joining him to share their strategies to achieve superior reproductive efficiencies on farm are David Jauquet, Mike Martin, Jeff McNeely and Chuck Ripp. These producers will give highlights of their protocols used on their dairies.
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A Base Change for Bull Proofs is Coming... in April 2025
Every five years, dairy bull proofs undergo a base change to reflect genetic progress. The next base change is scheduled for April 2025. PTA (Predicted Transmitting Ability) for production traits compares a bull's daughters to their contemporaries. Because the overall genetic merit of dairy herds improves over time, this base adjustment is necessary. The upcoming change will compare genetics to the average animal born in 2020, a five-year shift from the previous base.
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Purposes, Process and Resources for Organic Transition
Have you considered transitioning to organic farming or are you curious about what it takes to go organic?
Organic farming focuses on cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. While understanding the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) can be complex, Ariana Abbrescia, the Organic Transition Outreach Specialist, makes it straightforward. In this brief video, Ariana walks us through the organic transition process, certification requirements, and the resources available to support your journey to organic agriculture.
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Wisconsin Ag Climate Outlook | Stay ahead of the weather with the Wisconsin Ag Climate Outlook email list. Get timely updates, expert analysis, and strategic insights tailored to Wisconsin's agricultural landscape.
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| Will Fulwider
Regional Crops Educator - Dane and Dodge County Extension
Email: will.fulwider@wisc.edu l Ph: 608 220 3577
Alison Pfau
Bilingual Regional Dairy Educator - Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, & Walworth County Extension
Email: alison.pfau@wisc.edu | Ph: 970 402 9710
Manuel Peña
Regional Dairy Educator - Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, & Sheboygan County Extension
Email: manuel.pena@wisc.edu | Ph: 920-449-0725
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