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

When Is the Best Time to Sample Manure? Research-Proven Answers for Farmers

Because nutrient levels change between lagoons or pits on the same farm, never assume one test result applies to all the manure on your farm year after year especially if not using agitation.

Planting Season Underway for Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program Trials

Ever wondered what it takes to conduct an on-farm research trial? Many farmers across Wisconsin, with varying levels of research experience, are conducting trials on their farms in 2026.

Your Input Needed: Mesotrione Stewardship Survey for Future HPPD-Tolerant Soybean Systems

Take a confidential, 5-minute WiscWeeds survey to help us understand what you know about, how you plan to use, and any stewardship considerations you have regarding mesotrione use in future HPPD-tolerant soybean systems (Vyconic™ soybean technology).

Hail in the Midwest and Impacts to Agriculture

Learn what the research says about when and where it hails most in the Midwest and how to assess, manage, and mitigate hail damage to grain, forage, fruit, and vegetable crops. 

Wisconsin Field Crop Disease Update – June 8, 2026

Given the recent May dry spell, diseases have been of little concern on corn and soybeans. Timely rains in June can change this situation, so folks should remain diligent in scouting and making informed decisions about in-season management.

Listen and Watch: Installing Honeyberry Bird Netting

In the first episode in a series on honeyberry production, Steffen talks through his bird netting strategy at the UW cultivar trials. Watch the accompanying video to see the final setup!

Sign Up for Insect Pest Text Alerts

Get texts letting you know when it's time to scout for insect pests from the Bick Lab, DATCP's Pest Trapping Network, and Extension. Catch up on the latest scouting alerts online, and sign up for text reminders. 

Dry Weather and Residual Herbicides: What Should Growers Expect?

This season serves as another reminder that successful weed management requires flexibility. Herbicide programs are designed based on expected weather patterns, but sometimes Mother Nature has different plans.

Protecting Grape Clusters During the Critical Pre-Bloom to Post-Bloom Period

One of the most important grape disease management periods of the season is upon us: immediate pre-bloom through approximately 3 to 4 weeks post-bloom. During this window, leaves, flowers, and developing fruit are highly susceptible to infections.

Flax Field Day

June 24
Madison

Visit the demonstration plot of oilseed and fiber flax growing side-by-side at West Madison Ag Research Station. This is a chance to learn about the flax plant and hear about the agronomic essentials for growing flax at both artisanal and field scale. 

Badger Crop Connect Webinar Series

April – Oct., Second and Fourth Thursdays of the month
Next webinar June 25 at 12:30 p.m. 

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.

Cover Crop Plots Field Day

June 25
Colby

Join us for an on‑farm field day to explore a variety of cover crop plots installed by Short Lane Ag for UW-Madison Extension research trials. These plots showcase how different cover crop mixes and nitrogen application rates can impact corn yield. You’ll get an up‑close, in‑field look at the trials, with plenty of time to walk the plots, ask questions, and discuss what we’re seeing.

Rock County Farm Integrated Weed Management Field Day

June 26
Janesville

This year’s tour will highlight integrated weed management strategies for giant ragweed and waterhemp in corn and soybean production systems. The event will conclude with lunch and will feature updates on current weed management research and field demonstrations.

SnapPlus Version 3 Webinar Training Series

Continues through July
Various Dates and Locations 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.

Forage Field Day

July 13 
Marshfield Agricultural Research Station

Join UW–Madison forage researchers for a field day in Marshfield exploring forage management for success!

Vegetable Farming Practices to Build Soil Health Field Day

July 15
Athens

UW–Madison Extension and the Climate Resilient Organic Vegetable Production (CROVP) community invite you to a field day at Red Door Family Farm. Hosts Tenzin and Stacey Botsford will highlight different management practices that build soil health and increase resiliency on their farm, including living aisles and diverse cover crop mixes. 

DATCP 2026 Nutrient Management Regional Meetings

Aug. 19 (Jefferson), Sept. 1 (Wausau), Sept. 2 (Appleton), Sept. 9 (Eau Claire), Sept. 15 (Dodgeville)

Join DATCP, NRCS, Extension, and the SnapPlus team for a day of nutrient management updates and planning guidance. Meetings run from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., followed by an optional SnapPlus V3 training from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. 

Agronomy and Soils Field Day: Registration Now Open!

Aug. 26
Arlington Agricultural Research Station

Join UW–Madison grain agronomy, field crop pathology, weed management, soils, forage, and farm economics researchers for a half-day field-based tour of the latest ongoing trials and research updates.

Weed Management Workshop

Sept. 2
Arlington Agricultural Research Station

Join Extension and the WiscWeeds team for a full day of weed management skill sharing, learning, and further understanding mechanisms of weed control in a resistant era. 

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.