University of Wisconsin-Madison
Scouting is similar for all corn ear rots. Starting at late dent stage (R5), choose 20 ears from five areas in the field. Pull back the husk to see the entire ear. It’s critical to identify ear rots in the field as many ear rot fungi produce mycotoxins, which can harm livestock and humans. Contaminated […]
Wisconsin winter wheat acreage declined in 2025–2026, with 245,000 acres planted—an 18% decrease from the previous year. Of these, 210,000 acres are forecasted to be harvested, down 17% from 2025. The 2026 yield forecast is 76 bu/a, matching 2025 and landing just below the five‑year average of 77 bu/a. View full results
Now that southern rust has been found in Wisconsin, it’s important not to panic. Instead, focus on careful scouting over the next several weeks. Timely scouting will help guide both silage and grain harvest decisions. Yield losses are most likely when southern rust becomes established before the milk (R3) growth stage. Farmers should be out […]
As we move deeper into the growing season, fungicide application decisions become one of the biggest sources of stress for farmers across the Midwest. Between aggressive marketing, endless online opinions, and an expanding list of fungicide products, determining whether, and when, to spray can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, advances in plant pathology and epidemiology have led […]
Dr. Matt Ruark, UW–Madison Extension soils and nutrient cycling specialist and professor of soil science, discusses what’s changing in Wisconsin nutrient management guidelines for corn and soybeans. This video covers upcoming updates to A2809, including nitrogen rate adjustments, phosphorus and potassium recommendations, and how soil type, crop rotation, and fertilizer prices affect decisions in the […]
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension is offering a virtual education program to help the Wisconsin agriculture community identify and respond to a variety of behavioral health challenges. The next virtual Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the agriculture community is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 28-29, 2026, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. […]
Manure is a valuable resource, and you can gain significant value by investing in testing your manure nutrient value, making it more cost-efficient to provide your crops with the nutrients they need. In this blog post, we take a quick look at the economics of manure testing to show how accurate nutrient crediting through manure […]
Join us for the annual Twilight Meeting on June 17 at Forest Ridge Holsteins in Eden! Don’t miss this free event hosted by the Fond du Lac County Forage Council. This meeting is open to anyone interested in forages and forage quality, especially growers and dairy farmers looking to improve their operation. The main topic […]
Stratification, or the unequal distribution of nutrients within the soil profile, has been well documented across Wisconsin, with the most concentrated nutrients existing within the upper 2” of soil in all fields. Having reduced or eliminated tillage on more acreage across Wisconsin in recent decades, it is worth considering what has happened to soil stratification […]
Are you a farmer, crop adviser, or conservation professional in central or northern Wisconsin looking to learn more about cover crops — or trying to figure out how this winter affected your alfalfa? Extension has an event for you. UW–Madison Extension is hosting a free Cover Crop & Forage Field Day on May 7 from […]
