Tag Agriculture
UW program aims to update buildings so dairy cows can be happy
Wisconsin farmers consult with the UW's Nigel Cook, an expert in scientific treatment of dairy cows — which, Cook says, is sensible, humane and profitable all at once.
New center brings together biologists, engineers to improve crops
The phenotyping center at the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center aims to develop new ways to measure plants and address novel questions about what factors influence crop performance.
From test tube to plate, UW–Madison program keeps potatoes clean
The Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program, a 104-year-old program run by UW–Madison, is dedicated to supplying Wisconsin farmers with quality, disease-free tubers.
Study quantifies role of ‘legacy phosphorus’ in reduced water quality
Though farmers have taken steps to reduce the quantity of phosphorus applied to and running off their fields, researchers say an abundance of the nutrient has a long-lasting impact on lakes and rivers.
Cheese, cows and manure: Systems approach makes tough decisions easier to digest
Victor Zavala, a chemical and biological engineering professor, is working on a new approach to manure management.
Potato industry commits $5M to support UW–Madison potato and vegetable research program
Wisconsin's potato industry has made a commitment to raise $5 million over the next 10 years to support the UW–Madison's potato research program, to continue a decades-long partnership.
Study shows many lakes getting murkier, but gives hope for improvement
While water clarity in most Wisconsin lakes has not changed in 20 years, researchers say the fact that more lakes are getting worse signals there is work to be done.
Farming for Flavor: Seed to kitchen initiative creates more than a culinary connection
The Seed to Kitchen Initiative from the Department of Horticulture at UW–Madison brings together chefs, farmers and plant breeders to promote vegetable variety characteristics important to local food systems, such as flavor, fresh-market quality and agronomic performance on smaller-scale farms.
Plant breeders partner with chefs for tastier produce
Have you noticed that more and more restaurants are featuring great-tasting, locally sourced foods on their menus? Now, through a UW–Madison horticulture initiative called “Seed to Kitchen,” chefs on the culinary cutting edge are working with plant breeders to grow produce with specific flavor characteristics their customers will love.
Farm & Industry Short Course serves Wisconsin farmers
In only 16 weeks, the UW–Madison Farm & Industry Short Course teaches students to operate their own farms, run an agricultural business, or work in the agribusiness sector.
UW spinoff helps boost new crop in cranberry country
Some Wisconsin cranberry farmers have started growing aronia, a fruit that is sometimes touted, in this nutrition-conscious era, as the "next superfruit." A UW–Madison spinoff is helping explain aronia's benefits.
UW-Madison partners with WPT for show on new farming challenges
The University of Wisconsin–Madison and Wisconsin Public Television have partnered for “Wisconsin’s Homegrown Farmer,” a program about the challenges facing a new generation of farmers that will begin airing Sept. 8. Two of the farmers are Kat Becker and Tony Schultz of Stoney Acres Farms in Athens, Wis., which they made into an organic vegetable farm.
Farm-to-home delivery service wins innovation award
Square Harvest allows consumers to order exactly what they need from small, local farms and food producers, marrying computer technology with small-batch food production.
Happy hormone’s calcium connection may make cows and humans healthier
Serotonin is best known for eliciting feelings of happiness in the human brain, but scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have found the hormone plays a role in milk production in dairy cows — and may have health implications for breastfeeding women.
Wisconsin Manure Irrigation Workgroup to release report, hold webinar on April 14
A UW–Madison/UW-Extension-led workgroup tasked with assessing manure irrigation practices will share its findings during a webinar on Thursday, April 14. Immediately following the webinar, the…
Partnering with NASA to grow plants in space
For many people, outer space and agriculture do not go together. But Simon Gilroy, professor of botany at UW–Madison, is working to learn how to effectively grow plants, and eventually gardens, in space. A sustainable, self-contained food source will allow astronauts to travel farther.
UW scientists contribute to state’s Pollinator Protection Plan effort
Wisconsin’s honey bees help support an $88 billion agricultural enterprise and play an important role in ecosystems throughout the state. But our bees face challenges.
Business student’s innovative approach helps Ghanaian farmers with crop losses
Adolph Okine introduced a formula for predicting the negative effects of climate change on agriculture in his native country, and it paid off.
Moving moments: Our 10 favorite video stories of 2015
University Communications created these stories about the UW–Madison people, research and discoveries that made for a memorable year.
UW agricultural economists recap trends of 2015, share forecasts for 2016
After a fantastic 2014, Wisconsin’s total net farm income took a big hit in 2015 — to the tune of $2 billion. While that’s a scary number, UW–Madison agricultural economists remind people to keep it in perspective.