Tag Agriculture
Burning and Learning
UW–Madison instructors, land care managers and students, along with the help of volunteers and farmers, are returning fire to landscapes on and off campus to restore the beauty of native tall grass prairies and oak savannas.
Printed sensors in soil could help farmers improve crop yields and save money
The researchers’ new sensors could also be used as an agricultural research tool to monitor nitrate leaching and help guide best practices for mitigating its harmful effects.
Abandoned farmlands could play a role in fighting climate change. A new study shows exactly where they are.
A research team used machine learning to map nearly 30 million acres of United States cropland abandoned since the 1980s, creating a tool that could guide decisions about how to balance production of energy and food.
Weather station network to expand across Wisconsin, aiding farmers and others
With the help of a statewide network of weather stations known as a mesonet, the state would be better equipped to deal with the future obstacles of a changing climate.
Agricultural Research Station field days return for 2021 season
After taking a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UW–Madison’s Agricultural Research Stations will again host public field days during the 2021 growing season to share research updates and educational information.
Midwest bumble bees declined with more farmed land, less diverse crops since 1870
Native species declined while the average number of different crops grown in these states was cut in half and as modern agriculture began to focus on intensive production of corn and soybeans
UW grad combines research, tribal traditions in wolf relationship plan
Abi Fergus says understanding tribal citizens’ attitudes toward wolves helped her stay in touch with the human dimension of her research.
Research highlights need for grassland conservation, agriculture support
In a new study, researchers show that newly added croplands converted from grasslands important to wildlife generated less yield than existing cropland.
‘Grassland 2.0’ seeks to transform Upper Midwest agriculture through perennial grasslands
With chronically low and erratic milk prices, some dairy farmers have controlled their production costs with managed grazing.
’Til the cows come home
The cows returned to UW's Dairy Cattle Center on Sept. 1, five months after they were removed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without students on campus or research projects, the center was temporarily shuttered on March 27.
UW helps farmers reinvent themselves in challenging times
Innovations being developed today will help define the future of American dairy: what products are available, how the land and animals are cared for, and how farmers make a living.
‘Dairy Brain’ project asks farmers to help create smarter dairies
UW researchers are working with dairy farmers, producers and equipment manufacturers to use data to make useful, real-time decisions.
Extension offers guidance on operating a farm during the pandemic
While much of the negative impact on agriculture by COVID-19 is out of farmers' control, there are things they can do now to reduce or prevent the impact of the virus on the health and productivity of their farm.
Six possible impacts of COVID-19 on farming
Only time will reveal the severity of the impacts on agriculture from the novel coronavirus. Here is what farmers, farming families, ag employers and ag employees need to be aware of and plan for.
They’ve got hops — with UW Extension’s help
Brothers Bob and Jim Conant didn’t know the first thing about hops when they started their now thriving hops farm in Tomah. So they turned to their Monroe County Agriculture Educator from what is now the UW–Madison Division of Extension.
Sustainable dairy project finds ways to lower emissions, boost profits
Researchers found that ideal cow genetics, improved feeding strategies and better manure management could allow dairy farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions while producing more milk with less feed.
University helps state growers cope with voracious, invading fruit fly
“These insects have invaded everywhere in the world that grows fruit,” says researcher Hanna McIntosh. “If the mulch works here, it’s probably applicable to people who grow fruit in other places.”
Science meets seat-of-the-tractor observations with Discovery Farms
“By the time Discovery Farms left Cashton in 2017,” says Jack Herricks, “the relationship had changed, the era of finger pointing and distrust had left. It was a pretty dramatic shift.”
Madison College students prepare for transfer, gain biotech skills
An instructor at the technical college saw opportunities at a UW–Madison biotechnology research center for her students to learn lab skills and get ready for attending a four-year college.
‘Dr. Dirt’ worked with farmers to address water resource challenges
Fred Madison's work — which sought to protect the environment, assure farm profitability and sustain natural and human resources — had important impacts on farm practices, natural resources policy and conservation professionals.